PAHO Consultant - IPC on Strengthening foodborne-related events information and data harmonization

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 4, 2026

Closing Date:

November 13, 2026, 11:59 PM Eastern Time

Primary Location:

Off Site

Organization:

HIM Health Emergencies Information and Risk Assessment

Schedule:

Full time

PURPOSE OF CONSULTANCY

Position Title: International PAHO Consultant on Strengthening foodborne-related events information and data harmonization.

Purpose of contract:
The purpose of this consultancy is to support the development, implementation, and promotion of mechanisms that strengthen data sharing with a special focus on foodborne-related events.

Background and description of deliverables:

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.

The increasing frequency of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases highlights the need to strengthen collaboration between different stakeholders. Timely exchange of surveillance information and data between countries and networks is critical to support early warning, risk assessment, and coordinated response to public health threats.

The Strategy on Epidemic Intelligence for Strengthening Early Warning of Health Emergencies 2024–2029 and the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005) emphasize the importance of multisectoral collaboration, information sharing, and integrated surveillance systems. In this context, PAHO seeks to strengthen regional mechanisms and capacities for the exchange of epidemiological information and surveillance data among countries and networks operating at national, regional, and international levels.

The consultant will support the Health Emergency Information & Risk Assessment Unit (HIM) within PHE, in the implementation of activities directly aligned with the Strategy and Regional Action Plan on Epidemic Intelligence (CD61.R10: Indicators 3.6, 3.8, 3.9, 4.3, 6.1, 6.2 and 6.3), while leveraging the Regional Genomic Surveillance Strategy (CSP30/12) and the proposed Regional Food Safety Strategy to ensure laboratory, genomic and food safety system outputs inform detection, verification, risk assessment, information sharing and response.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:

General responsibilities: 

Under the direct supervision of the HIM Unit Chief, the consultant will undertake the following responsibilities: 

 

1. Data harmonization framework for triangulation of enteric foodborne-related event information. 

Deliverable: Develop a framework for organizing epidemiological, laboratory, genomic, and event-based information prior to joint analysis, including core data elements, common temporal and geographic references, source attribution, and approaches for managing incomplete or non-comparable information. 

Due date: 31 January 2027 

Amount: U$ 2,365.00 

2. Technical reference compendium for country operationalization of the PAHOGen-IHR protocol .  

Deliverable: Develop a technical compendium bringing together the PAHOGen-IHR information exchange protocol, the existing country operationalization instrument, relevant IHR provisions, and supporting epidemic intelligence resources for use in country-level technical cooperation. 

Due date: 28 February 2027 

Amount: U$ 4,300.00 

3. Country technical methodology for PAHOGen-IHR operationalization. 

Deliverable: Country-specific technical methodology to prepare dossiers synthesizing available information on national epidemic intelligence arrangements, institutional interfaces, existing information-sharing mechanisms, and priority issues to be addressed through technical cooperation. 

Due date: 30 March 2027 

Amount: U$ 4,730.00 

 

Note 1: The consultant must provide the manager with a comprehensive technical report detailing all work carried out during the consultancy, which must be submitted before the final invoice to the project manager. 

Note 2: The hiring of the selected candidate will be subject to the presentation of the following documents (Note: These documents are NOT required to apply to this position but will be required before a contract can be signed): 

 

• Copy of diploma and/or certificate(s) 

• Three letters of professional references that include the full name of the contact person, telephone number, and address or email. 

 

Qualifications, experience, skills, and languages:

Education requirements (Qualifications) 

Essential: A university degree in Social Sciences, public health, or a related area from a recognized institution. 

Experience requirements:

Essential: At least five years of combined national and/or international experience in epidemiology, surveillance, early warning, community engagement, or related fields within the context of public health emergencies or health systems strengthening. Experience must include: 

• Supporting the development, review, or implementation of national surveillance, for early detection and response. 

• Providing technical assistance to Ministries of Health or similar institutions, particularly in the areas of communicable diseases. 

• Designing or advising on training materials related to surveillance.  

• Coordinating with multi-stakeholder teams and managing follow-up processes across multiple countries. 

• Drafting technical documents and synthesizing recommendations aligned with global frameworks. 

Languages: 

Excellent Knowledge of English or Spanish required.  

Remuneration (Band level Range) and expected duration of contract 

Band/range - Band A USD $215.00 Daily rate  

Total amount: USD $11,395.00 

Expected duration: From 15 January 2027 to 30 March 2027 

Location: The consultant will perform their duties from their place of residence. When required, the consultant may be asked to travel to support technical cooperation missions in the Region related to the objectives described in this Terms of Reference. In such cases, travel costs will be covered by PAHO.

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.