PAHO Consultant - Influenza in the Caribbean-Country implementation

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:

October 21, 2026

Closing Date:

November 8, 2026, 11:59 PM Eastern Time

Primary Location:

Off Site

Organization:

IHM Infectious Hazard Management

Schedule:

Full time

PURPOSE OF CONSULTANCY

Position Title: Influenza surveillance in the Caribbean-Country implementation

Purpose of contract:
The purpose of this consultancy is to deliver technical cooperation activities in the area of influenza surveillance for Caribbean countries.

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 incumbent is a member of PHE’s IHM Unit. This area of work supports countries in the surveillance, prevention, preparedness and control of pandemic and epidemic-prone diseases, through the development of evidence-based strategies to predict, prevent, detect and respond to infectious hazards. It also ensures the regional surveillance functions to these hazards.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:

Technical cooperation and country missions

a.      Provide technical cooperation to Caribbean countries to strengthen surveillance systems for influenza, COVID-19, RSV and other respiratory viruses (ORV) at national and local levels, including through country missions.

b.      Support countries in applying respiratory disease surveillance data collection protocols at national level and at sentinel sites.

c.      Support the country-level implementation of the Mosaic framework in the Caribbean, including in the PIP countries of the subregion (Belize, Guyana and Suriname).

Sentinel surveillance follow-up

d.      Conduct sentinel site visits and periodic assessments using the standardized assessment tools (site visit protocol, scoring rubric, documentation standards) developed for the Caribbean sentinel network.

e.      Support the collection and validation of routine monitoring indicators (data completeness, timeliness, representativeness, reporting consistency) at site and country level, and agree follow-up actions with national focal points.

Monitoring framework and assessment tools

a.      Design the routine monitoring framework for sentinel surveillance sites in the Caribbean, including standardized performance indicators covering data completeness, timeliness, representativeness and site-level reporting consistency.

f.        Develop structured assessment tools for the periodic evaluation of sentinel surveillance systems in the Caribbean, including site visit protocols, scoring rubrics and documentation standards aligned with IHR core capacities and the Mosaic framework.

g.       Analyze routine monitoring and assessment data across the Caribbean sentinel network to identify underperforming sites, emerging gaps and capacity-building priorities, and translate findings into country-specific recommendations.

Data and reporting

a.      Coordinate and monitor the weekly submission of epidemiologic and virologic surveillance data by Caribbean countries to regional platforms and support the integration of data reporting through shared data flow with CARPHA (Caribbean Public Health Agency).

b.      Support the regional consolidation of epidemiologic and virologic surveillance data on influenza, COVID-19, RSV and ORV.

c.      Consolidate inputs from Caribbean countries for regional reports, newsletters and meetings on integrated surveillance of respiratory viruses.

Training and capacity building

d.      Assess training needs at country level and deliver targeted training on surveillance of seasonal and pandemic influenza, COVID-19, RSV and ORV, in collaboration with CARPHA.

SARI DHIS-2 module

e.      Support the roll-out of the SARI DHIS-2 module in Caribbean countries: deliver user training, support testing and implementation, collect country feedback to inform module enhancements.

f.        Conduct desk reviews of progress in the implementation of integrated surveillance in Caribbean countries.

Preparedness

g.       Participate in and facilitate pandemic preparedness, readiness and response activities in the Caribbean subregion, such as lessons-learned workshops, simulation exercises and intra-action reviews.

Deliverables

1. Work plan for country-level surveillance activities in the Caribbean to 31 May 2027, including calendar of missions, sentinel site visits and trainings

30 November 2026 $3,146

2. Report on weekly submission of surveillance data by Caribbean countries (completeness and timeliness, November–December 2026) and follow-up actions agreed with countries

31 December 2026 $6,578

3. Report on training needs identified and trainings delivered on respiratory virus surveillance in Caribbean countries

31 January 2027 $6,006

4. Report on CARICOM countries reporting to flunet and fluid over the past 12 months

28 February 2027 $5,720

5. Report on CARICOM countries’ early detection capacities for emerging respiratory virus detection and technical cooperation opportunities for the subregion.

31 March 2027 $6,578

6. Report on the roll-out of the SARI DHIS-2 module in Caribbean countries (training, testing, implementation status by country, user feedback)

30 April 2027 $6,292

7. Report of missions to strengthen respiratory virus surveillance in the Caribbean

31 May 2027 $6,006

Note 1: The consultant shall provide the manager with a comprehensive technical report detailing all work carried out during the consultancy, to be submitted prior to 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.

EDUCATION
Essential: University degree in bachelor’s degree in health science with a master’s degree in public health or epidemiology from a recognized university.
Desirable: PhD in a health science from a recognized university would be an asset.

EXPERIENCE
Essential: More than 7 years of experience working in public health surveillance. 

Desirable: Experience working in public health surveillance of influenza and ORV would be an asset.

Language and level required

English – Excellent written and spoken.

Spanish – N/A.

Portuguese – N/A.

French – N/A.

Band/range: B / $286 daily rate

Expected duration: Tentatively from 16 November 2026 to 31 May 2027.

Location: Off-site at full-time capacity and require travel to the Caribbean countries. This will be covered separately.

Relocation required: No

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.