PAHO Consultant - Investigations

OBJECTIVE OF THE OFFICE/DEPARTMENT

This is a requisition for employment at the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)/Regional Office of the World Health Organization (WHO)

Contractual Agreement:

Non-Staff - International PAHO Consultant

Job Posting:

December 8, 2025

Closing Date:

December 13, 2025, 11:59 PM Eastern Time

Primary Location:

Off Site

Organization:

INV Investigations Office

Schedule:

Full time

PURPOSE OF CONSULTANCY

A PAHO Consultant may be engaged on a full-time or part-time basis for the purpose of performing a specific time-limited piece of work for PAHO in a technical advisory capacity or consultative capacity. Examples of the type of work for which a consultant contract should normally be issued are: analysis and advice on public health, medical, scientific or other health and related technical issues in countries, including the analysis of the national health situation, evaluation of national health programs, the establishment of local alliances and networks; direct technical assistance to address a particular health issue in countries (including disease outbreaks, response to emergencies, specialized training, research, development of policies, norms and protocols, etc.

Internationally-hired consultant: An internationally-hired consultant is a person who is not living or residing in the country and who has been hired from outside the country where the work is to be performed. The work performed by internationally-hired consultants is regional or subregional in scope (not country specific). An international consultant will normally be hired for periods not exceeding a continuous duration of up to one (1) year, renewable for a second period of up to one (1) year, for the same tasks as described in the ToRs, within the same work plan and/or project. Upon completion of a series of continuous contracts that equal 24 months in duration.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:

Terms of Reference

Investigations Consultant (remote)

Investigations Office

 

 

Background

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is the specialized international health agency for the Americas. It works with countries throughout the region to improve and protect people's health.

The PAHO Investigations Office conducts independent and impartial administrative fact-finding into allegations of misconduct involving any person who works in a PAHO workplace, regardless of the type of contract held or the duration of appointment, as well as third parties performing activities contracted for or financed by PAHO.

 

Duties and responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Chief Investigator, the consultant will support the work of the Investigations Office, namely to:

• Analyze allegations of misconduct that are received in the Investigations Office.

• Conduct preliminary inquiries and investigations into allegations of misconduct, including but not limited to harassment, sexual harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse, abuse of authority, fraud, corruption, retaliation, the loss or theft of PAHO property or resources and other suspected instances of unethical or improper behavior involving PAHO personnel and external vendors, suppliers, partners and stakeholders.

• Obtain and review background documentation, conduct interviews with the parties involved in an investigation and potential witnesses to elicit relevant information and prepare records of interview.

• Prepare preliminary assessment reports or investigation reports containing findings of fact and determinations whether allegations may be substantiated. 

 

Expected Outcomes

• Lead full investigations into alleged misconduct that includes the preparation of investigation plans, records of interview, investigation reports, as assigned.

• Conduct preliminary assessments and closure reports, as assigned.

• Inputs to other Investigations Office products, as necessary.

 

Qualifications

• Advanced university degree in law, criminology or closely related fields; first level university degree with a combination of significant relevant education, training and experience in the field of investigations may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree.

• Thirteen years of relevant professional experience in complex criminal and/or administrative investigations.

• Proven ability to conduct investigations and quickly and accurately analyze, assess and summarize investigative findings, observations and recommendations.

• Demonstrated advanced experience in conducting investigations involving alleged wrongdoing.

• Good knowledge of United Nations (UN) policies, procedures and jurisprudence relevant to administrative investigations highly desirable.

• Experience within an international investigation role in the UN context highly desirable.

• Excellent drafting and interviewing skills.

• Fluency in English is required. Fluency in Spanish is highly desirable. Working knowledge of Portuguese or French is desirable.

 

Term and Duration:

• The contract’s duration is for one year with an expected start date in January 2026. There should not be an expectation for contract renewal.

• This consultancy can be remote and on a full-time basis. Some travel may be expected.

• Band C pay range based on a monthly ($369-$449).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level.
• Successful candidates will be placed on the roster and subsequently may be selected for consultancy assignments falling in this area of work or for similar requirements/tasks/deliverables.  Inclusion in the Roster does not guarantee selection for a consultant contract.  There is no commitment on either side.
• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
• All applicants are required to complete an on-line profile to be considered for this consultancy. For assessment of your application, please ensure that your profile in the PAHO Career page is updated; all experience records are entered with elaboration on tasks performed at the time.  Kindly note that CV/PHFs inserted via LinkedIn are no accessible.
• A written test may be used as a form of screening.
• If your candidature is retained for interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. PAHO/WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. PAHO will also use the databases of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation http://www.chea.org/search/default.asp and College Navigator, found on the website of the National Centre for Educational Statistics, https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator to support the validation process. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.
• Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to PAHO/WHO Regulations, and e-Manual.
• For information on PAHO please visit: http://www.paho.org
• PAHO/WHO is committed to providing a respectful and supportive workplace for all personnel .
• PAHO is an ethical organization that maintains high standards of integrity and accountability. People joining PAHO are required to maintain these standards both in their professional work and personal activities.
• PAHO also promotes a work environment that is free from harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination, and other types of abusive behavior. PAHO conducts background checks and will not hire anyone who has a substantiated history of abusive conduct.
• PAHO personnel interact frequently with people in the communities we serve. To protect these people, PAHO has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse. People who commit serious wrongdoings will be terminated and may also face criminal prosecution.
• PAHO/WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.
• Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority.  The execution of the work under a consultant contract does not create an employer/employee relationship between PAHO and the Consultant.
• PAHO/WHO shall have no responsibility whatsoever for any taxes, duties, social security contributions or other contributions payable by the Consultant.  The Consultant shall be solely responsible for withholding and paying any taxes, duties, social security contributions and any other contributions which are applicable to the Consultant in each location/jurisdiction in which the work hereunder is performed, and the Consultant shall not be entitled to any reimbursement thereof by PAHO/WHO.