PAHO Consultant - Foot-and-Mouth Disease Specialist - Regional Preparedness and Epidemiology

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:

outubro 6, 2026

Closing Date:

outubro 27, 2026, 11:59 PM Brasilia Standard Time

Primary Location:

Rio De Janeiro, Brazil

Organization:

AFT Centro Panamericano de Fiebre Aftosa (PANAFTOSA)

Schedule:

Full time

PURPOSE OF CONSULTANCY

1. OBJECTIVES AND SCOPE:
Objectives of the Department: The Pan American Center for Foot-and-Mouth Disease and Veterinary Public Health (PANAFTOSA/VPH), Department of Prevention, Control and Elimination of Communicable Diseases (CDE), provides technical cooperation to Member States to strengthen veterinary public health and support the implementation of the Hemispheric Program for the Eradication of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (PHEFA).
Within the framework of the PHEFA Action Plan 2026–2030, PANAFTOSA supports countries in strengthening veterinary services, surveillance systems, epidemiological intelligence, emergency preparedness and response, regional coordination mechanisms, and strategic initiatives such as the Regional Foot-and-Mouth Disease Vaccine Antigen Bank (BANVACO), contributing to maintaining the FMD-free status throughout the Americas.
Background: The countries of the Americas have achieved significant progress towards the eradication of Foot-and-Mouth Disease. Maintaining this status requires continuous strengthening of veterinary services, epidemiological surveillance, risk analysis, preparedness planning and rapid response capacity.
PANAFTOSA supports these efforts by promoting regional cooperation, technical innovation and capacity building through PHEFA, COSALFA, COHEFA and BANVACO. To advance these strategic priorities, PANAFTOSA seeks an experienced Foot-and-Mouth Disease Specialist capable of providing high-level technical cooperation to Member States.
Purpose of contract: To provide specialized technical support in Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD), with emphasis on veterinary epidemiology, surveillance, risk assessment, epidemiological modelling, emergency preparedness and emergency vaccination strategies, supporting the implementation of the PHEFA Action Plan 2026–2030 and strengthening regional technical cooperation with Member States.
Reporting Line: The consultant will work under the direct supervision of the Foot-and-Mouth Disease Advisor, PANAFTOSA/VPH, and in close collaboration with the Foot-and-Mouth Disease and Epidemiology team and other technical specialists supporting the implementation of the PHEFA Action Plan 2026–2030.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:

2. ACTIVITIES

Under the direct supervision of the Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) Advisor, the consultant will:

• Provide technical support for qualitative and quantitative risk assessments related to Foot-and-Mouth Disease.

• Develop and apply epidemiological and spatial models supporting surveillance, preparedness and emergency response.

• Support Member States in strengthening risk-based surveillance and epidemiological intelligence.

• Contribute to contingency planning, emergency preparedness, simulation exercises and emergency response strategies.

• Provide technical support for emergency vaccination preparedness, including vaccination strategies, vaccine deployment scenarios and post-vaccination monitoring.

• Provide specialized technical support to the Regional Foot-and-Mouth Disease Vaccine Antigen Bank (BANVACO), including technical analyses, strategic planning, technical documentation and support to governance activities.

• Prepare technical documents, scientific reports, policy briefs, meeting reports and presentations supporting BANVACO, COSALFA, COHEFA and PHEFA.

• Design and deliver regional and national training activities in epidemiology, surveillance, risk assessment, emergency preparedness and emergency vaccination.

• Participate in technical missions, regional meetings and international cooperation activities.

 

3. REQUIREMENTS:

3.1 Education:

Essential: A bachelor’s degree in veterinary medicine and a master’s degree in veterinary science or public health. 

Desirable: A PhD in preventive veterinary medicine would be an asset.

 

3.2 Professional experience:

Essential:

• 9 years of progressively responsible professional experience in an Official Veterinary Service.
• Demonstrated experience in Foot-and-Mouth Disease prevention, surveillance or eradication program.
• Demonstrated experience in veterinary epidemiology, surveillance and risk assessment.
• Demonstrated experience in epidemiological modelling.
• Experience in preparedness and response to transboundary animal diseases.
• Experience preparing technical reports, scientific publications and technical guidance documents

 

Desirable:

• Experience working with international organizations.
• Experience providing technical cooperation to Member States.
• Experience coordinating regional programmes.

 

 

3.3 Language:

Essential: Excellent knowledge of English or Spanish, with working knowledge of the other language.

Desirable: Working knowledge of Portuguese would be an asset.

 

4. TECHNICAL SKILLS, COMPETENCIES AND CORE AREAS OF EXPERTISE

4.1 Technical Skills and Knowledge:

• Foot-and-Mouth Disease epidemiology;
• Risk assessment;
• Epidemiological modelling;
• Risk-based surveillance;
• Capacity Building;
• Scientific writing, including development of technical guidance

4.2 Competencies:

• Teamwork;
• Respecting and Promoting Individual and Cultural Differences;
• Communication;
• Producing Results;
• Technical Expertise;
• Building and Maintaining Partnerships;
• Knowledge Sharing;
• Planning and Organizing;
• Analytical Thinking.

 

4.3 Core Areas Of Expertise:

The consultant is expected to demonstrate expertise in:

• Foot-and-Mouth Disease prevention, control and eradication;
• Risk assessment and risk analysis;
• Epidemiological and spatial modelling;
• Emergency preparedness and response;
• Emergency vaccination strategies;
• Development and implementing of Training program;
• Capacity building and technical cooperation;
• Scientific writing and knowledge management.

 

5. LOCATION

Pan American Foot-and-Mouth Center for Disease and Veterinary Public Health (PANAFTOSA/VPH), Duque de Caxias, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil.

This consultancy is expected to entail a full-time commitment.

 

6. COMPENSATION:

The hired consultant will receive a total amount of USD 70,000.00 (seventy thousand US dollars), to be paid in eight installments, as detailed in the table below.

 

Deliverable 1: Inception Report

Period: 11/Jan/2027 to 31/Jan/2027

Description: Annual workplan, implementation strategy and monitoring framework.

Due date: 10/Feb/2027

Amount in USD: 8,500.00

 

Deliverable 2: Risk Assessment

Period: 01/Feb/2027 to 15/Mar/2027

Description: Technical reports / Draft paper supporting national and regional FMD risk assessments.

Due date: 20/Mar/2027

Amount in USD: 6,260.00

 

Deliverable 3: Epidemiological Modelling

Period: 16/Mar/2027 to 05/Apr/2027

Description: Models and scenario analyses supporting preparedness and emergency response.

Due date: 25/Apr/2027

Amount in USD: 5,940.00

 

Deliverable 4: COSALFA Support

Period: 06/Apr/2027 to 05/May/2027

Description: Technical reports, strategic documents, presentations and meeting materials supporting COSALFA governance and activities.

Due date: 30/May/2027

Amount in USD: 5,260.00

 

Deliverable 5: Emergency Preparedness

Period: 06/May/2027 to 25/Jul/2027

Description: Technical products supporting contingency planning, simulation exercises and emergency vaccination.

Due date: 30/Jul/2027

Amount in USD: 6,020.00

 

 

Deliverable 6: Capacity Building

Period: 26/Jul/2027 to 15/Sep/2027

Description: Training materials and implementation of regional and national training activities.

Due date: 20/Sep/2027

Amount in USD: 8.940.00

 

Deliverable 7: BANVACO Support

Period: 16/Sep/2027 to 30/Oct/2027

Description: Technical reports and presentations supporting BANVACO meetings.

Due date: 05/Nov/2027

Amount in USD: 7,980.00

 

Deliverable 8: Final Report

Period: 01/Nov/2027 to 31/Dec/2027

Description: Final consultancy report summarizing activities, results, lessons learned and recommendations.

Due date: 10/Jan/2028

Amount in USD: 21,100.00

 

Travel and costs associated with the provision of technical cooperation will be covered by PAHO.

The consultant shall be available to undertake national and international travel to support technical cooperation activities, including country missions, regional workshops, technical consultations, simulation exercises and meetings of COSALFA, COHEFA, BANVACO and other official activities related to the implementation of the PHEFA Action Plan 2026–2030, in accordance with PAHO rules and procedures.

 

 

7. OWNERSHIP:

All products and other materials resulting from this consultancy will be the property of the PAHO/WHO and subject to the rules and regulations governing copyrights. The Consultant may not make use of information gathered during this consultancy without the written consent of PAHO/WHO.

 

8. DURATION OF THE CONTRACT:

Duration of 12 months, starting on January 11, 2027, and ending on December 31, 2027, and may be extended based on satisfactory performance, programmatic needs and availability of funds.

 

9. 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.
• In the event that international travel is required to carry out the activities set forth in these Terms of Reference, initial lodging expenses may be eligible for reimbursement, in addition to the consultant fee, in accordance with the Organization's current policies and regulations.

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.