PAHO Consultant - Women’s Health and Nutrition Office

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 - National PAHO Consultant

Job Posting:

November 13, 2025

Closing Date:

November 27, 2025, 11:59 PM Guyana Time

Primary Location:

Georgetown, Guyana

Organization:

GUY Guyana

Schedule:

Full time

PURPOSE OF CONSULTANCY

This requisition is for a consultancy at the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)/Regional Office of the World Health Organization (WHO).
• Provide a short description of the objective of the office/department here.
• Provide a description of the purpose of the consultancy here.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:

TERMS OF REFERENCE

   National PAHO Consultant (NPC) - Women’s Health and Nutrition Officer

Purpose of consultancy

PAHO/WHO is looking for a national consultant who will support the portfolio for Women’s Health including Nutrition at the Guyana country office. As part of Healthy Life Course programme, the consultant will collaborate towards implementing corresponding workplans, particularly in relation to the activities and deliverables outlined in these terms of reference.

Background 

The Global Strategy for Women’s, Children’s, and Adolescents’ Health (2016-2030) include new commitments and mandates that directly affect the positioning of women’s health in countries including Guyana. According to the World Health Organization, Maternal mortality is unacceptably high. About 260 000 women died during and following pregnancy and childbirth in 2023. Approximately 92% of all maternal deaths occurred in low- and lower-middle-income countries in 2023, and most could have been prevented.

Health-care solutions to prevent or manage complications are well known. All women need access to high quality care in pregnancy, and during and after childbirth. It is important that all births are attended by skilled health professionals, as timely management and treatment can make the difference between life and death for the mother as well as for the newborn.

In Guyana, at a recently held Maternal Review meeting, data has shown a reduction in maternal mortality from 148 per 100,000 (2010) to 122 per 100,000 (2020).  In 2025, WHO estimates noted that Guyana’s midpoint maternal mortality rate was 75 per 100,000 and is on track to meet achieve the Sustainable Development (SDG) 2030 target of less than 70 per 100,000. Even though several interventions have been implemented such as Advances in Labour and Risk Management (ALARM), Post Partum Haemorrhage training, food based dietary guidelines and helping babies breathe there is a need for acceleration interventions to further meet the targets of MMR by 2023.

Nutrition across the life course emphasizes how nutrition is foundational to health and well-being at every stage of life, from infancy to old age. Proper nutrition is essential at all stages to build a foundation for physical growth, mental development, and sustain intrinsic capacity in later life. During pregnancy, childbirth, lactation, childhood, and adolescence are critical periods for growth and development.

A review of Guyana’s nutrition data revealed that the prevalence of anemia among pregnant women (%) in Guyana was reported at 31.9 % in 2023, according to the World Bank development indicators and for the age group 15 to 49 (37%). There is a need for accelerated interventions to reduce this to less than 10% by 2030. Exclusive breastfeeding up to 6 months of age has increased to 21.4% in 2014 compared with 10.6% in 2000. For the exclusive Baby Friendly Hospital target of over 60% to be obtained, there is a need for the country to scale the activities for infant and young child feeding and the Baby Friendly Hospital initiative.

Guyana is posed to meet the targets of the Elimination of Mother to Child Transmission (EMTCT) of HIV and congenital syphillis by 2030. For Guyana, to achieve the Elimination of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV and Congenital Syphilis of 2026 there is a need for acceleration of interventions in women’s health to further strengthen the programme to meet the targets.

Description of duties

Under the direct supervision of the PAHO-GUY, Specialist for Family and Community Health, the consultant will provide support to the implementation of priority activities and interventions for maternal and nutrition health  which includes but not limited to  initiatives of Zero Maternal Deaths from Haemorrhage, Advances in Labour and Risk Management, Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative, Helping Babies Breathe, safe motherhood, management of obstetric emergencies, Perinatal Information System,  maternal mortality surveillance and near miss, infant and young child feeding , Elimination of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV, Congenital Syphillis and HIV; support the roll out of surveys in maternal and neonatal health ,  family planning and contraceptive care. These duties and deliverables are outlined as follows based on the objectives of the consultancy.

3. Objectives

Objective 1: To review and provide updated information for the obstetric labour ward protocol.

Activity 1.1; Update the labour ward protocol for maternal and neonatal health.

Deliverable: Report on Labour ward protocol updated.

Activity 1.2: Updated operational guidelines on management of obstetric emergencies for the   maternity and neonatal wards.

 Deliverable: Operational guidelines produced, and report submitted.

Objective 2: To scale up the implementation of the Perinatal Information System (SIP) to six (6) health facilities to include updated section on women’s health.

Activity 2.1: Conduct monitoring visits on the updated sessions SIP in Regions 1, 2, 4, 7, 8, 9.

Deliverable: SIP monitoring reports completed.

Activity 2.2: Conduct SIP scale up of Training in Regions 3, 5, 6 and 10.

Deliverable: Report on SIP trainings conducted.

Objective 3: To scale up the assessment and certification of the Baby Friendly Hospital capacity building in regions.

Activity 3.1: Assessment and certification of Baby Friendly Hospital conducted in all regions.

Deliverable: Report on the assessment and certification conducted in regions.

Objective 4: To conduct capacity building sessions on healthy life course related intervention for women and vulnerable populations

Activity 4.1 Conduct safe motherhood which includes the five pillars of care and nutrition trainings in Regions 1 and 8.

Deliverable; Report on trainings conducted in Regions 1 and 8.

Objective 5: Support the Elimination of Mother to Child Transmission (EMTCT) of HIV and Congenital Syphillis interventions to meet validation goals.

Activity 5.1: Conduct review of EMTCT data, case histories of HIV mothers and exposed infants with a view to reducing barriers to quality care.

Deliverable 1: Report on EMTCT data review completed with Final Report on   EMTCT validation.

Activity 5.2: Support the development of guidelines in the management of EMTCT of HIV and          congenital syphilis and Hepatitis B.

Deliverable: EMTCT information pocketbook and flash cards produced for all ten regions

Required Qualifications

1. Education

Essential: Degree in medicine or related field

Desirable: A postgraduate degree in Master’s in Public Health or related social field would be an asset.

2. Experience

Essential: At least 5 years’ professional work experience in implementation of Women’s Health and Nutrition Programmes.

Desirable: Previous work experience in the women’s health programme at the regional or national level or with an international organization would be an asset. Previous experience in Elimination of Mother to Child Transmission programme implementation

3. Skills and Knowledge

Essential: Excellent organizational and analytic skills combined with strong professional oral and writing skills including in the development of reports, oral presentations, and technical / persuasive documents.

Demonstrated ability to effectively use current technology and software for developing presentations and reports

Desirable: Basic computer programming with familiarity with Microsoft word, excel, power point   and working knowledge of relevant data and mapping software

4. Competencies:

• Teamwork
• Respect for diversity
• Results Oriented
• Strong Communication Skills
• Ensuring effective use of resources

5. Languages: Excellent communication skills in written and spoken English

Location and Duration of Assignment

The position will be initially for twelve months, from January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2026, with the possibility of extension for one year subject to satisfactory performance. The successful candidate will work on-site in the PAHO Guyana Country Office. The incumbent should be willing and able to travel to all regions within Guyana.

Remuneration

The consultant will receive a consultancy fee based on the PAHO Band B range, in the sum of G$30,000.00, daily for national consultants, commensurate with experience and qualifications (payable in four traches as reflected in the schedule of deliverables).

Payments will be released accordingly on the recommendation of the Project Manager and approval of the PAHO/WHO Representative, Guyana, in accordance with the satisfactory completion of the deliverables outlined in these terms of reference.

# Dates Payment % Deliverables

1  1 March 2026 20% . Report on workplan for Women and

Nutrition for 2026

-Report on meetings conducted

-Report on the assessment and certifica

tion Baby Friendly Hospitals.

2 30 June 2026 20% Perinatal Information System (SIP) moni

toring completed in Regions 4, and 9

report.

Report on SIP training completed in

Regions 3.

Report on EMTCT data review completed

with Final report for EMTCT validation.

Safe-motherhood (including infant and

young child feeding) training completed in

Regions 7, 8

3 30 August 2026 20% Report on SIP training completed in

Regions 5 and 6.

EMTCT information pocketbook and flash

cards produced for all ten regions

Report on pillars of safe-motherhood train

-ings conducted in Regions 1.

4 30 October 2026 20% Report on EMTCT data review completed

with Final report on EMTCT validation.

Report on Labour ward protocol updated.

5 15 December 2026 20% Perinatal Information System monitoring re

ports completed in Regions 7

Operational guidelines produced, and re

port submitted.

HL meeting reports/summary /action points

in relation to prevention of adolescent preg

nancy, capacity building and strategic

achievements, constraints and

recommendations

Total 100 %

Supervision

The Women’s Health and Nutrition Officer will be supervised by Specialist, Family and Community Health in the PAHO Guyana Office under the guidance of the PWR.

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.