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 19, 2025

Closing Date:

January 9, 2026, 11:59 PM Eastern Time

Primary Location:

Off Site

Organization:

CIM Comprehensive Immunizations

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:

ROSTER OF CONSULTANTS: STRENGTHENING THE COMPETENCIES OF NATIONAL IMMUNIZATION PROGRAMS IN COUNTRIES OF THE REGION OF THE AMERICAS

Purpose of consultancy:

Provide support to PAHO/WHO country immunization focal points to strengthen technical and operational competencies of national EPI programs in three key components: 1) Routine program; 2) Vaccination campaigns; 3) Annual and multi-year operational plans.

Background:

The Comprehensive Immunization Program (CIM) seeks to promote and coordinate technical cooperation and partnerships to support, as part of guaranteeing health as a right for all, the efforts of Member States to achieve sustainable and equitable reduction of morbidity and mortality from vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) through control and elimination strategies, improving quality of life and life expectancy in the Region.

For more than 40 years, the success of the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) has made the Region of the Americas a global leader in the elimination and control of VPDs such as smallpox, poliomyelitis, rubella, congenital rubella syndrome, measles, and neonatal tetanus. Since the creation of EPI in 1977, countries have moved from using six vaccines in their national schedules to an average of more than 16 vaccines, providing greater protection.

Under the resolution CD59.R13 “Reinvigorating immunization as a public good for universal health” approved in 2021 by PAHO Governing Bodies, CIM seeks to strengthen immunization program capacities in Member States through best practices and innovative experiences within the six strategic lines of action that are also included in the Regional Immunization Action Plan 2030 (RIAP2030):

• Strengthen governance, leadership, and financing of immunization programs.
• Improve coverage monitoring and vaccine surveillance, incorporating digital intelligence strategies in routine analyses.
• Strengthen integration of immunization programs into primary health care systems toward universal health.
• Develop innovative and strategic communication approaches to build social awareness and trust in vaccines and increase access to services.
• Strengthen human resource capacities for immunization.
• Use scientific evidence to guide decision-making and program implementation.

Despite achievements in eliminating and controlling VPDs in the Region of the Americas, vaccination coverage has declined in recent years. Although coverage improved between 2022 and 2024, it remains suboptimal. In 2024, 62% (28/45) of countries and territories reported coverage below 95%, leaving 11% (1.5M) of children under one year without starting their schedule and 13% with incomplete schedules. Additionally, 11% of the target population did not start measles and rubella vaccination, and 21% did not receive the second dose. Data for 2025 are not yet available, so it is unknown whether the improving trend continues.

In this context, and in line with the roadmap established in the Immunization Action Plan for the Americas 2030 (RIAP2030), CIM has developed methodologies to revitalize national immunization programs, including a tool for monitoring EPI performance, identifying challenges, and creating short- and medium-term improvement plans. CIM has also developed a methodology and tool for implementing routine vaccination microplanning and is advancing tools for campaign microplanning and rapid vaccination monitoring, among others.

To promote and coordinate technical cooperation and support Member States’ efforts, CIM proposes hiring immunization consultants to assist PAHO/WHO country office focal points in implementing these methodologies as part of VPD control and elimination strategies, while strengthening technical and operational capacities of national teams.

Activities:

The selected consultants will support the following activities:

Routine Program:

• Conduct training workshops at national, subnational, and local levels on routine vaccination microplanning methodology.
• Adapt microplanning tools to national requirements and health system.
• Provide technical support for operational implementation of microplanning tools at national or subnational level.
• Adapt and implement rapid vaccination monitoring (RVM) methodology and tools for routine programs.
• Train on use of virtual tools and self-learning courses for EPI management.

Vaccination Campaigns:

• Plan campaigns, including cohort analysis, estimation of vaccine and supply needs, organization, monitoring, and evaluation.
• Adapt microplanning tools for campaigns according to national requirements and target populations.
• Conduct training workshops on campaign microplanning methodology.
• Provide technical support for operational implementation of campaign microplanning tools.
• Adapt and implement RVM methodology and tools for campaigns.
• Design and validate data collection formats, incorporating communication and social mobilization aspects and active community case-finding of suspected VPDs.
• Support preparation of final campaign reports as required by the Regional Measles-Rubella and Polio Commissions (RVC and RCC respectively).

Action Plans:

• Provide technical support for development and validation of annual and multi-year operational plans.
• Integrate recommendations from PAHO’s EPI performance monitoring tool, risk analysis documents, and plans for risk mitigation and sustainability of VPD elimination.
• Design mechanisms for periodic monitoring and plan updates.

Other Functions:

• Contribute to the development of technical and scientific information products related to microplanning and vaccination campaigns, including drafting reports, guidelines, and best practices for regional and global dissemination.
• Support the documentation and analysis of lessons learned from the implementation of microplanning methodologies and rapid monitoring strategies during routine and campaign activities.
• Participate in the preparation of scientific articles and technical briefs to share regional experiences and innovations in immunization strategies at the global level.
• Assist in the design of communication and advocacy materials that highlight successful approaches in campaign planning and execution.
• Other activities related to strengthening immunization programs, including contributions to global initiatives for measles, rubella, and congenital rubella syndrome elimination.

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages:

Education

Essential:

• University degree in health sciences and a master’s in public health, epidemiology, or related field from a recognized institution.

Work experience

Essential:

• At least seven years of combined national or international professional experience, with at least three of those years related to epidemiology or immunization, emphasizing the design and implementation of vaccination plans and strategies, microplanning, vaccination campaigns, and rapid vaccination monitoring.

Technical Skills/Knowledge

• General work attitude: Maintains integrity and clear ethical approach; demonstrates commitment to the Organization’s mandate and promotes its values; accountable to supervisor and country focal points; respectful and trusted by colleagues.
• Respect and promote individual and cultural differences: Relates well to diversity; treats all people with dignity and respect; avoids stereotypes; considers others’ perspectives.
• Teamwork: Collaborates and cooperates with others; works well with team members and counterparts; assists when requested.
• Communication: Writes effectively and shares knowledge; drafts clear, structured, logical documents; supports development of guidelines and policies; shares relevant information openly.
• Technology and information: Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook); desirable knowledge of statistical tools for epidemiological data collection and analysis.
• Technical experience: Planning, organizing, implementing, supervising, monitoring, and evaluating routine and campaign vaccination activities.

Language

• Fluent in Spanish or English, with working knowledge of the other language; Portuguese or French desirable.

Localization:

• Multiple duty stations according to needs identified by CIM.
• Full-time availability, with valid travel documents to undertake work missions of 10 to 20 days in different countries of the region.

Payment rate:

• Minimum daily rate: USD 258
• Maximum daily rate: USD 314

Additional information

How to apply:

This roster will be announced through the PAHO website and the candidates that qualify might be considered for consultancies with PAHO Comprehensive Immunization Program, that application will be valid for a maximum period of 2 years. When applying for this roster, please upload your CV and Cover Letter.

Additional information:

• This vacancy notice can be used to identify candidates for other similar consulting posts at the same level.
• Successful candidates will be included in the shortlist and may subsequently be chosen for consulting assignments that are in this area of work or for similar requirements/tasks/deliverables. Inclusion in the shortlist does not guarantee selection for a consultancy contract. There is no commitment by either party.
• Only candidates who are being seriously considered will be contacted.
• All applicants must complete an online profile to be considered for this consultancy. For the evaluation of your application, make sure that your profile on the PAHO Careers page is up to date; All experience records must include a detailed description of the tasks performed at the time. Please note that CVs/PHFs inserted through LinkedIn are not accessible.
• A written test may be used as a method of selection.
• If your application is shortlisted for an interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, 3 professional reference letters from previous work experiences, including the full name of the contact person, telephone number and address or email, and a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. PAHO/WHO only considers higher education qualifications obtained from an accredited/recognized institution 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 via the following 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 on the WHED and will require individual review.
• Any appointment or extension of appointment is subject to the PAHO/WHO Regulations and e-Manual.
• For information about PAHO, please visit: http://www.paho.org
• PAHO/WHO is committed to the diversity of its workforce.
• PAHO is an ethical organization that maintains high standards of integrity and accountability. Individuals who join PAHO are required to maintain these standards in both their professional work and personal activities.
• PAHO also promotes a work environment free of harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination, and other types of abusive behavior. PAHO conducts background checks and will not hire anyone who has a proven history of abusive conduct.
• PAHO staff frequently interact with people in the communities we serve. To protect these people, PAHO has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse. People who commit serious offenses will be dismissed and may also face criminal prosecution.
• PAHO/WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not hire smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• Applications from women and citizens of unrepresented or underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.
• Consultants will perform the work as independent contractors in their personal capacity, and not as representatives of any entity or authority. The performance of work under a consulting contract does not create an employer/employee relationship between PAHO and the Consultant.
• PAHO/WHO shall have no responsibility 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 that are applicable to the Consultant in each location/jurisdiction where the work is performed, and the Consultant shall not be entitled to any reimbursement from PAHO/WHO.

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.