PAHO Consultant - International PAHO Consultant (IPC) (Band A)

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 7, 2025

Closing Date:

November 23, 2025, 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.

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.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:

General responsibilities and deliverables:

Under the direct supervision of the Health Emergency Information and Risk Assessment (HIM) Unit Chief. The consultant is responsible for supporting international communication and coordination mechanisms under the International Health Regulations (IHR), the INFOSAN Network, and PulseNet, with a focus on event-related communication and early warning. The consultant will deliver the following products and services:

 

1.      Assessment Report: Functionality and Responsiveness of IHR National Focal Points

Objective: Evaluate the operational capacity and timeliness of IHR NFPs in maintaining 24/7 communication readiness.
Description: Conduct the 2026 regional IHR communication test, analyzing response times, accuracy, and communication protocols.
Deliverable:

• Comprehensive report detailing methodology, results, key gaps, and recommendations for strengthening IHR NFP functionality and inter-sectoral coordination.

 

2. Verification Report: INFOSAN Emergency Contact Points Annual Confirmation

Objective: Confirm operational readiness and contact validity of INFOSAN Emergency Contact Points across Member States during 2026.
Description: Coordinate with national INFOSAN EMERGENCY focal points to verify the accuracy of designated contacts and ensure alignment with national IHR structures.
Deliverable:

• 2026 Annual report summarizing confirmation outcomes, trends, and proposed actions to improve data accuracy and responsiveness.

 

3. Mapping and Confirmation Report: PulseNet and PAHOGen Contact Points

Objective: Update and verify the operational contact lists and response protocols of PulseNet and PAHOGen laboratories in the Region.
Description: Conduct a regional mapping of national network representatives, validating contact information and operational readiness.
Deliverable:

• Consolidated report of updated contact lists, institutional affiliations, and readiness assessments, identifying overlaps and communication bottlenecks across networks.

 

4. Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Communication Flowcharts

Objective: Support the implementation of standardized procedures and visual workflows to guide inter-network communication during public health event detection and notification.
Description: Generic SOPs defining information-sharing responsibilities between IHR NFPs, INFOSAN, PulseNet, and other laboratory networks, complemented by flowcharts illustrating communication ch