Pan American Health Organization is hiring: PAHO Consultant - Health Promotion a

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 : January 16, 2025

Closing Date :

January 30, 2025, 11 : 59 PM Eastern Time

Primary Location : Off Site

Organization :

DHE Social and Environmental Determinants for Health Equity

Schedule : Part time

PURPOSE OF CONSULTANCY

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO / WHO) promotes, coordinates, and implements programmatic, strategic, and technical cooperation activities directed at incorporating health promotion, social determinants of health and equity, approaches as guiding principles in the development of health and social policies, programs and strategies in the Region of the Americas.

The Organization also supports member states in the implementation of the Strategy and Plan of Action on Health Promotion within the context of the Sustainable Development Agenda by strengthening their capacity to design, execute, monitor, and evaluate policies and initiatives related to healthy settings, intersectoral action, and social participation, at local and national levels.

Despite many advances, progress toward achieving the SDGs has slowed, mainly because of the COVID-19 pandemic. This has severe implications for the Region, considered the most unequal in the world, as many of the issues related to the SDGs directly impact access to decent housing, services, education, transport, and other vital factors for overall health and well-being. For barriers to be addressed and for progress to be made, social policies must be geared towards promoting health and equity as well as promoting positive impacts on the social determinants of health. This requires intense intersectoral action and social participation, given the complex and wide-reaching causes of ill-health and the opportunities to promote the social production of health through community empowerment and strengthening of community assets.

The purpose of this consultancy is to provide technical support to develop tools and resources that will support PAHO in its ability to strengthen member states capacities to strengthen health promotion and to implement the Strategy and Plan of Action on Health Promotion and other initiatives related to its strategic action lines.

This consultancy aims to :

1)Provide technical support to the Organization and Member States in the implementation of the Strategy and Plan of Action on Health Promotion within the context of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2019-2030, specifically in the following strategic lines : a) Strengthen key healthy settings. b) Enable community participation, empowerment, and civil society engagement. c) Enhance governance and intersectoral work to improve health and well-being and address the social determinants of health. d) Strengthen health systems and services by incorporating a health promotion approach.

2)Contribute to the analysis of health promotion policies, plans, and programs in the Region and provide technical support to member-states in developing and / or strengthening their Health Promotion policies, plans, and programs at different levels and considering their contexts.

3)Participation in coordination meetings and technical support to other activities, projects, and initiatives of the health promotion and social determinants unit that may arise within this framework.

This consultancy encompasses relationship management with countries where the Organization supports the implementation of policies and tools, as well as supporting the engagement with collaborating centers on related subjects.

The position involves conducting in-person and virtual workshops to strengthen health promotion. The consultant will be instrumental in building capacity and enhancing competencies among stakeholders while ensuring the effective dissemination and application of health promotion strategies across the Region.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES :

Objectives

Support PAHO's efforts to implement the Strategy and Plan of Action on Health Promotion in the context of the Sustainable Development Agenda and its strategic lines of action. Support PAHO's efforts to analyze health promotion policies, plans, and programs in the Region. Provide technical support to member states in the development and / or strengthening of Health Promotion policies, plans, and programs, at various levels. Develop operational tools and resources to support countries in their efforts to strengthen health promotion and equity approaches in policymaking and planning processes. Work in collaboration with the department / unit team and participate in meetings / workshops and other events to disseminate and support concrete implementation of the tools, policies, plans, and programs. Work in collaboration with PAHO focal points in country offices, governments, and civil society partners to implement the tools. Work in partnership with PAHO / WHO's collaborating centers on relevant themes to reach the consultancy's objectives (especially in the themes of healthy settings and monitoring and evaluation of health promotion policies).

Specific tasks

Support the unit in the regional implementation of the Strategy and Plan of Action on Health Promotion within the context of the Sustainable Development Goals 2019-2030. Develop a roadmap to support countries and subnational governments to develop and / or strengthen their health promotion policies, plans, and programs. Develop resources and tools to support the implementation of health promotion strategies in Member States. Identify and analyze indicators to support M&E of health promotion, intersectoral action and healthy municipalities at various levels of governance (national, subnational, and local) Contribute to capacity-building activities related to health promotion and healthy settings. Support the regional advisor in monitoring the implementation of PAHO / WHO Collaborating Centers' work plans related to healthy settings and health promotion themes. Develop technical notes and other documents on the topics related to the consultancy Take part in internal and external governance meetings related to consultancy themes.

Deliverables and outputs

Review and analysis of national health promotion policies in the Americas with production of articles for publication and / or internal reports (to be defined) Tools and guides aimed at supporting health promotion processes at various levels of governance (national, subnational, local) reviewed Recommendations developed and validated to strengthen health promotion policies, plans, and programs Guidelines / Checklist to support health promotion policy development at the national level Technical notes on topics related to health promotion (to be defined) Content and materials developed to support capacity-building activities.

Delivery and timelines : The consultancy will start as soon as possible following the selection process (February 2025). Specific deadlines for all deliverables will be agreed upon before the signature of the contract.

Technical supervision : The PAHO's Health Promotion and Social Determinants Unit Chief supervises the consultancy. The consultant will work remotely and part-time (4 daily hours) and is expected to be available during working hours at PAHO HQ, based in Washington, DC.

Travel : Travel may be necessary. If so, PAHO will bear the expenses according to the per-country allowances. The consultant is expected to work remotely from their home base, with regular exchanges via email, phone, Teams, and other online platforms.

Consultant profile : Education :

Essential : Undergraduate background in social sciences or public health and a master's degree in public health or related health field from a recognized university.

Languages :

Fluent or native 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 Health Promotion, Social Determinants, and health equity and policy development.

Minimum of 7 years of relevant experience in public health, including the development of strategies, policies, and plans related to health promotion.

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

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

Desirable :

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

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

Strong knowledge of relevant PAHO / WHO guidance and criteria on social determinants of health and health equity is desirable.

Duration

19 February - 31 August 2025

Pay Rate

Band B

Monthly payment : US$ 3,000

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 to 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 Stellis 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 : PAHO will also use the databases of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and College Navigator, found on the website of the National Centre for Educational Statistics, 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 :
• PAHO / WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
• 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 wrongdoing 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.

Salary : $3,000