PAHO Consultant - Social Participation and Health Assets

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:

November 24, 2025

Closing Date:

December 3, 2025, 11:59 PM Eastern Time

Primary Location:

Off Site

Organization:

DHE Social and Environmental Determinants for Health Equity

Schedule:

Full time

PURPOSE OF CONSULTANCY

The Health Promotion and Social Determinants of Health Unit of the Pan American Health Organization (DHE/HP – PAHO/WHO) is developing several lines of work to strengthen social participation in health across various processes and interventions. A specific focus is on mapping and mobilizing community health assets, as well as linking them with Primary Health Care (PHC) through social prescribing, within the framework of integrating Health Promotion (HP) and Social Determinants of Health (SDH) into the daily practice of PHC, with the aim of contributing to improved health, well-being, and equity in the Region of the Americas.
Health assets are resources recognized by individuals, communities, and populations as enhancers of health and well-being. This approach promotes the social construction of health, community participation in co-creating health, and the reduction of inequities, fostering a positive perspective that empowers communities to actively improve their health and well-being.
Participatory methods, such as asset mapping, identify existing individual, collective, and environmental resources, as well as community talents, skills, and knowledge. Among other benefits, this strengthens social cohesion, empowers communities, and fosters collective action by engaging social and institutional actors and promoting intersectoral collaboration.
The DHE/HP Unit aims to strengthen capacities in innovative methodologies that highlight the experience and strengths of the Region in these approaches, enabling the generation of participatory and intersectoral processes
Through these initiatives, the DHE/HP Unit seeks to promote social and community participation and ensure that health, well-being, and equity are addressed comprehensively, considering social determinants and highlighting community health assets for equity and well-being.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:

This consultancy aims to strengthen participatory processes in health and well-being across the Region of the Americas, within the framework of PHC, with a particular focus on health assets. The consultancy aligns with the priorities of the DHE/HP Unit of PAHO.
Responsibilities:
In coordination with the DHE/HP Unit, the consultant will:
•    Identify and document participatory health-building processes based on the health assets approach within PHC systems and other key actors promoting community well-being at national, subnational, and local levels; facilitate exchange of experiences.
•    Strengthen capacities for asset mapping and mobilization to promote health equity.
•    Adapt the asset mapping and mobilization proposal to the context of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
•    Support other DHE/HP initiatives and projects as required.
•    Participate in technical meetings, workshops, and regional coordination forums.
•    Review and contribute to strategic documents.
•    Provide technical advice on initiatives linked to the DHE/HP Unit.

Delivery and timelines:
The consultancy will start as soon as possible following the selection process (November 2025). Specific deadlines for all deliverables will be agreed upon before the contract is signed. 

Deliverables / outputs:

Product 1: Concept Note on the development of community health asset mapping and mobilization in Latin America.

Product 2: Regional Presentation for the dissemination and discussion of the proposal on asset mapping and mobilization for health equity. Practical Toolkit for asset mapping and mobilization, designed to be adaptable to diverse contexts across the Region.

Product 3: Two-Day Workshop Proposal for asset mobilization, including detailed agenda, presentations, and group activities.

Product 4: Adaptation of the Guiding Document for mapping and mobilization of health assets to NCD: proposal and pilot application in at least one country or subregion.

Product 5: Design of Training Modules, both virtual and in-person, for asset mapping and mobilization to promote health equity.

A preliminary version of each delivery will be shared for feedback and suggestions prior to the submission of the final versions and subsequent publications.

Delivery and timelines: $21,000

Deliverables     Due Date     Payment

Product 1     2/20/2026     $5,250
Product 2     3/30/2026     $3,150
Product 3     5/1/2026     $4,200
Product 4     6/19/2026     $5,250
Product 5     7/20/2026     $3,150
 

Technical supervision:

The consultant will work under the direct supervision of the Unit Chief of the Health promotion and social determinants Unit (DHE/HP). The consultant will work remotely full-time and is expected to be available during working hours at PAHO HQ, based in Washington, D.C. 
 

The consultant must have professional knowledge and more than 5 years of experience, both nationally and internationally, in the areas of health promotion, community health building, social participation, community and primary health care, as well as experience working with participatory methodologies for collective health building and collective mapping in the Region of the Americas, with specific knowledge and experience in health assets approach.

Qualification requirements of the consultant:

Education:

Essential: Graduate studies in public health or related health field from a recognized university.

Completion of specialized studies or a master’s degree in Health Promotion and/or Community Health will be regarded as a valuable asset.

Years of relevant experience: 

Essential: Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in public health, health promotion, community health (PHC), and social participation.

Solid knowledge of the health assets approach.

Desirable: 

Past work experience with PAHO/WHO in relevant field is an advantage. 

Past work experiences in Latin American countries is a plus. 

Solid knowledge of the NCD including mental health is desirable.

Languages:

• Fluent in Spanish  
• English and Portugues basic level.

Years of relevant experience: 5 years or more

Pay rate:

Band A

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.