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:

February 6, 2026

Closing Date:

February 18, 2026, 11:59 PM Eastern Time

Primary Location:

Off Site

Organization:

DHE Social and Environmental Determinants for Health Equity

Schedule:

Full time

PURPOSE OF CONSULTANCY

The Pan American Health Organization addresses the health needs of the diverse groups living in situation of vulnerability, considering their contexts and views. In this regard, Indigenous Peoples, Afro-descendants, Roma people, and members of other ethnic groups in the region of the Americas face challenges that affect their health and well-being. For this reason, the Pan American Health Organization has worked with its Member States to address and ensure a coherent and culturally adequate approach to health that takes into consideration the diverse contexts in the region.
As a follow-up to the approval of the first policy on Ethnicity and health in 2017, a Strategy and plan of action on Ethnicity and health (2019-2025) was approved. The Strategy and Plan of Action include 3 impact indicators and 17 progress indicators. In 2023, a progress report was presented to Member States. The report showed the need to strengthen intercultural health services and promote the effective participation of the diverse groups from the region. One impact indicator addresses maternal mortality among Indigenous and Afro descendant women.
Many health indicators are worse for Indigenous Peoples, People of African descent, and other ethnic groups. Among them, the reduction of maternal and infant mortality rates is still a priority for the region of the Americas.
Currently, various initiatives are being promoted by PAHO to provide technical cooperation to countries and respond to the needs of different communities. Among others, the tool that promotes culturally safe childbirth has been developed with different groups, based on consensus on good maternal practices, as well as criteria related to the quality of care in the provision of maternal health services. Its main purpose is to identify whether an intercultural approach is being integrated within the services regarding pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care for women belonging to different ethnic groups. Its application targets three different groups: health service providers, women from different ethnic groups, and external observers to evaluate their perceptions of care and the integration of the intercultural approach. The instrument, previously developed with indigenous women, is planned to be adapted to the needs of other women, such as women of African descent.
The purpose of this consultancy is to provide technical support to incorporate the intercultural approach to health, with a focus on maternal and perinatal health, addressing the health needs of the different groups in situations of vulnerability and ensuring their participation in any process that affects their health and wellbeing.

Objectives
1. To provide technical cooperation and training to countries to incorporate an intercultural approach within the health services for women and neonates in different prioritized countries.
2. To participate in capacity-building activities (virtual and in-person) related to the implementation of the knowledge dialogues and culturally safe childbirth tool with a focus on maternal and perinatal health for Indigenous and Afro-descendant communities.
3. To contribute to the analysis of the main results compiled from Member States in the implementation of the Strategy and Plan of Action on Ethnicity and Health 2019-2025, with a focus on impact indicators.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:

DELIVERABLES:

A consolidated report summarizing the final, updated, and validated content of the Ethnicity and Health virtual course, including key thematic areas, learning objectives, and validation outcomes, in preparation for its official launch in 2026. Development of culturally appropriate training materials for health personnel and Indigenous and Afro-descendant traditional birth attendants and women, based on the components of the culturally safe childbirth tool and the results of knowledge dialogue processes conducted in selected territories. A report documenting the adaptation of the culturally safe childbirth tool to national contexts and summarizing the design, implementation, and results of virtual and in-person training and capacity-building activities on maternal and neonatal health with an intercultural approach in selected countries. Design and development of a rapid assessment tool to evaluate the integration of an intercultural approach in maternal health services, incorporating priority elements identified by Indigenous and Afro-descendant traditional birth attendants and women. Adaptation of the culturally safe childbirth tool for use on mobile devices, accompanied by user-oriented training materials and guidance to support its effective application by health personnel and community actors. A qualitative report synthesizing key findings from exchanges and engagement processes (knowledge dialogues) with traditional birth attendants and Indigenous and Afro-descendant women, highlighting diverse worldviews and recommendations to improve the quality of maternal health care in countries applying the culturally safe childbirth tool.

Products/Date/Amount

1. Virtual Course Summary Report (Ethnicity and Health)

10 April 2026

$5,676

2. Training Materials on Culturally Safe Childbirth

21 May 2026

$ 6,708

3. Training and Capacity-Building Implementation Report

30 June 2026

$ 7,224

4. Rapid Assessment Tool for Intercultural Maternal Health Services

7 August 2026

$ 7,740

5. Mobile-Adapted Culturally Safe Childbirth Tool and Training

28 September 2026

$6,192

6. Qualitative Findings Report from Knowledge Dialogues

5 November 2026

$7,740

Total Remunetarion:

$41,280

Delivery and timelines: The consultancy will start as soon as possible following the selection process (ideally early March 2025). Specific deadlines for all deliverables will be agreed before signing the contract.

Technical supervision: The consultancy is directly supervised by the PAHO’s Regional Advisor on Cultural Diversity. The consultant will work remotely.

Travel: It may be necessary to travel. In this case, the corresponding expenses will be borne by PAHO according to the per-country allowances. The consultant is expected to work remotely from his/her home with regular exchanges through email, phone, Teams, or other online platforms.

Consultant profile:

Education:

Essential: A university or master’s degree in public health, social sciences, or a related health field from a recognized university.

Languages:

Very good knowledge of English or Spanish with working knowledge of the other language. Knowledge of French and/or Portuguese would be an asset.

Years of relevant experience:

Essential:

Experience in Intercultural health and maternal health.

Minimum of 7 years of relevant experience in public health projects.

Strong interpersonal skills to be able to coordinate with multiple offices, partners, and counterparts.

Strong communication skills, including writing, presenting, researching, etc., and using relevant IT applications.

Desirable:

Past work experience with PAHO/WHO in relevant field is an advantage.

Past work experience in the Latin America region in relevant fields is an advantage.

Experience working with Indigenous and/or Afro-descendant communities.

Pay Rate

Band B

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.