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:
May 8, 2026
Closing Date:
May 18, 2026, 11:59 PM Eastern Time
Primary Location:
Off Site
Organization:
IHM Infectious Hazard Management
Schedule:
Full time
PURPOSE OF CONSULTANCY
Purpose of contract:
To support the assessment, strengthening, and strategic development of wastewater surveillance capacities in selected countries, including the design of implementation frameworks adapted to different epidemiological, laboratory, and infrastructure scenarios, aligned with integrated and One Health surveillance approaches.
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.
1. Background:
Wastewater surveillance has emerged as a valuable tool for public health monitoring, enabling early detection of pathogens, trend analysis, and complementary surveillance where clinical testing is limited. It has proven particularly useful during the COVID-19 pandemic and is increasingly recognized as a strategic component of integrated surveillance systems for infectious diseases, including enteric viruses, antimicrobial resistance, and emerging zoonotic threats. Strengthening national and regional capacities for wastewater-based surveillance requires coordinated technical guidance, standardized methodologies, laboratory and data integration, and sustainable implementation models tailored to country contexts.
2. Purpose of the Consultancy:
To support the assessment, strengthening, and strategic development of wastewater surveillance capacities in selected countries, including the design of implementation frameworks adapted to different epidemiological, laboratory, and infrastructure scenarios, aligned with integrated and One Health surveillance approaches.
3. Objectives:
General Objective:
• Provide technical expertise for the evaluation, planning, and implementation support of wastewater surveillance systems for public health.
Specific Objectives:
• Assess existing national capacities for wastewater surveillance.
• Identify technical, laboratory, and operational gaps.
• Develop evidence-based recommendations for system strengthening.
• Design scalable surveillance models tailored to country contexts.
• Support integration of wastewater data into public health decision-making systems.
4. Scope of Work:
• Review existing documentation, policies, laboratory capacity, and surveillance frameworks.
• Conduct consultations with national authorities, laboratories, environmental agencies, and partners.
• Map current wastewater sampling, testing, and data analysis capacities.
• Assess diagnostic platforms, logistics, and data reporting systems.
• Identify priority pathogens and surveillance use-cases.
• Develop technical guidance for implementation and scale-up.
• Provide recommendations for integration with epidemiological and laboratory surveillance systems.
• Support development of monitoring indicators and evaluation frameworks.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:
Deliverables and payment schedule:
Under the general supervision of the Infectious Hazard Management (IHM) Unit Chief and the direct supervision of the Advisor, Viral Diseases (IHM), the incumbent is responsible for the following deliverables:
Product 1 – Inception ReportWorkplan, methodology, assessment tools, and timeline.
Product 2 – Capacity Assessment ReportComprehensive evaluation of current wastewater surveillance capacities in selected countries, including laboratory and diagnostic capacity, sampling systems, data management, workforce needs, and governance frameworks.
Product 3 – Gap Analysis and Prioritization MatrixIdentification of technical, operational, and strategic gaps with prioritized recommendations based on feasibility, impact, and cost considerations.
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.
Qualifications, experience, skills, and languages
EDUCATION
Essential: University degree in public health, microbiology, environmental health, epidemiology, laboratory sciences, or related field
EXPERIENCE
Essential: Minimum 7 years of relevant experience in microbiology, surveillance systems, or environmental microbiology.
TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE SKILLS
IT Skills: Demonstrated ability to effectively use a computer and utilize tools and software programs such as Microsoft Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint and Outlook.
Other skills:
Strong analytical and report writing skills.
Ability to work independently and meet deadlines.
Experience facilitating technical consultations.
Language and level required
Excellent written and spoken English (and/or Spanish); working knowledge of Spanish (or English). Working knowledge of French or Portuguese would be an asset.
Remuneration (Band level Range) and expected duration of contract
Band/range: B / USD 258.00 daily cost
Expected duration: 1 June to 31 August 2026
Location: Off site Home-based with potential travel to selected countries, as required.
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.
