PAHO Consultant - PulseNet Network

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:

February 27, 2026

Closing Date:

March 8, 2026, 11:59 PM Eastern Time

Primary Location:

Off Site

Organization:

HIM Health Emergencies Information and Risk Assessment

Schedule:

Full time

PURPOSE OF CONSULTANCY

Purpose of contract:
Within PHE, the Health Emergency Information & Risk Assessment (HIM) Unit focuses on data collection, verification, database management, data analysis and risk assessment. The information gathered through HIM helps in PHE's response to natural disaster events and epidemic disease events of potential public health concern. Currently, the HIM Unit focuses its efforts in providing the most accurate data and analysis.

The purpose of the consultancy is to position a regional resource dedicated to supporting the Event Based Surveillance implementation with a special focus on Community Event based Surveillance (CEBS), both, at PAHO and in Member States through the implementation and adoption of public health intelligence frameworks and tools.

Objectives of the Department:
The objective of the Health Emergencies Department (PHE) of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) is to increase health sector resilience to emergencies and disasters. PHE assists Member States to strengthen the health sector’s capacities in prevention, risk reduction, preparedness, surveillance, response, and early recovery for emergencies and disasters related to any hazards (natural, man-made, biological, chemical, radiological and others) and, when national capacities are overwhelmed, to lead and coordinate the international health response to contain disasters, including outbreaks, and to provide effective relief and recovery to affected populations. PHE is responsible for ensuring the implementation and updating of the PAHO/WHO Institutional Emergency and Disaster Response Policy.

Within PHE, the Health Emergency Information & Risk Assessment (HIM) Unit focuses on epidemic intelligence, including data collection, verification, data analysis and risk assessment. The information gathered through HIM helps in PHE's response to natural disaster events and epidemic disease events of potential public health concern.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:

General responsibilities and deliverables:

Under the general supervision of the Health Emergency Information & Risk Assessment Unit Chief (PHE/HIM), and the direct supervision of the Advisor on Detection, Verification and Risk Assessment, the incumbent is responsible for supporting the implementation of the PROTECT project, including the technical and programmatical analysis of project implementation progress and advance in multisectoral capacity-building on outbreak investigations for national laboratories under the PulseNet network. The incumbent is responsible for the following duties:

 

Under the general supervision of the Chief of the Health Emergency Information & Risk Assessment Unit (PHE/HIM), and the direct supervision of the Advisor on Detection, Verification and Risk Assessment, the incumbent will support the implementation of the PROTECT project as well as activities related to PulseNet network. This includes conducting technical and programmatic analyses of project implementation progress and advancing multisectoral capacity-building efforts in outbreak investigation for national laboratories participating in the PulseNet network.

 

The incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:

a) Support the implementation of activities included in the PROTECT project funded by the Pandemic Fund, ensuring alignment with the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005) and relevant regional mandates.

b) Support the technical and operational monitoring of the Pandemic Fund project, including conducting programmatic analyses and preparing quarterly, semiannual, and annual technical and narrative reports, in compliance with donor requirements and PAHO administrative and financial procedures.

c) Plan, coordinate, and deliver multisectoral capacity-building activities on outbreak investigation for professionals working in national laboratories participating in the PulseNet network, incorporating genomic surveillance of foodborne pathogens as a strategic entry point to strengthen national and regional epidemic intelligence capacities and promote intersectoral collaboration.

d) Provide technical guidance to support the integration of genomic surveillance into national epidemic intelligence frameworks, including strengthening outbreak investigation capacities and enhancing collaboration between national reference laboratories and regional laboratory networks (PulseNet).

e) Support the implementation of the Regional Action Plan on Epidemic Intelligence, in alignment with the WHO Global Framework for Collaborative Surveillance, including facilitating national landscape analyses, supporting the operationalization of priority indicators, and contributing to the development and implementation of national epidemic intelligence roadmaps and action plans.

***Products for Initial Contract from 1 May to 31 December 2026.***

1. Annual Technical Work Plan for the PROTECT project funded by the Pandemic Fund
A detailed work plan operationalizing activities under the PROTECT project, including timeline, indicators, and targets aligned with the Pandemic Fund Results Framework.

Due Date: 29 May 2026

Amount: $6,600.00

2. Periodic Technical Reports for the PROTECT project funded by the Pandemic Fund
Preparation and submission of:

· Four quarterly reports,

· One semiannual report, and

· One annual report, including programmatic analysis of implementation progress, technical execution, performance against indicators, and operational recommendations.

Due Date: 30 June 2026

Amount: $7,260.00

3.      Design and Delivery of Multisectoral simulation exercise under the PROTECT project

Planning, coordination, and implementation of at least one simulation exercise to test communication and flowchart between animal and human health, including agenda, technical materials, and post-activity reports.

Due Date: 27 July 2026

Amount: $6,270.00

4. Design and Delivery of Multisectoral Capacity-Building Activities under the PulseNet Framework
Planning, coordination, and implementation of at least one national or regional training workshops on outbreak investigation incorporating genomic surveillance of foodborne pathogens, including agenda, technical materials, and post-activity reports.

Due Date: 21 August 2026

Amount: $6,270.00

5. Technical Guidance Document on the Integration of Genomic Surveillance into National Epidemic Intelligence Frameworks
A technical guidance note outlining minimum standards, information flows, and coordination mechanisms between PulseNet laboratories and national surveillance authorities.

Due Date: 30 September 2026

Amount: $7,590.00

6. National Landscape Analysis Reports on Epidemic Intelligence Capacities
Facilitation of at least 3 national landscape analyses, including identification of gaps, prioritized recommendations, and a preliminary roadmap for strengthening epidemic intelligence capacities.

Due Date: 29 October 2026

Amount: $6,930.00

7. Technical Support for the Development or Updating of National Epidemic Intelligence Roadmaps
Support provided to at least 3 countries for the development or updating of national epidemic intelligence roadmaps, including operational indicators, targets, and implementation timelines aligned with the Regional Action Plan on Epidemic Intelligence.

Due Date: 30 November 2026

Amount: $7,260.00

8. Consolidated Report on Strengthening Laboratory–Surveillance Interface
A technical report documenting improvements in coordination between national laboratories (PulseNet) and epidemiological surveillance systems, including mechanisms for information exchange and contribution to early outbreak detection.

Due Date: 31 December 2026

Amount: $7,590.00

Qualifications, experience, skills, and languages

Education requirements (Qualifications)

Essential: A master's degree in epidemiology, demography, statistics, health sciences, or a related discipline that includes quantitative methods.

Desirable: A master's degree in public health, or related discipline would be an asset.

Experience requirements

Essential: Nine (9) years of combined national and/or international experience in surveillance and event management.

Languages

Essential: Very good knowledge of English and Spanish.  

Asset: A working knowledge of French and Portuguese would be an asset.

Location

The incumbent will be expected to perform this position's duties and responsibilities remotely.

Expected contract duration

Upon signature of the contract until 31 December 2026. This consultancy is expected to entail a full-time commitment.

Remuneration (Band level Range) and expected duration of contract

Band/range: Band B / $300.00 daily

Expected duration: Upon signature of contract until 31 December 2026.

Location: Off site

Relocation required: No

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.