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:

Job Posting:

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PURPOSE OF CONSULTANCY

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:

Terms of Reference

Consultancy to Strengthen Immunization Information Systems to Support Immunization Decision-Making

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of immunization information systems, especially electronic immunization registries (EIR), highlighting their importance for vaccination monitoring and program management. The number of countries using EIR in the region increased from 19 in 2019 to 29 in 2024. In line with Immunization Agenda 2030 and the Regional Action Plan for Immunization in the Americas, there is growing emphasis on leveraging innovative technologies to improve data collection, analysis, and use for evidence-based decision-making.

Immunization information systems are essential to improving data quality, timeliness, and interoperability, enabling better monitoring at individual and population levels and more efficient program management. However, some countries still rely on paper-based or mixed systems and are working to transition to robust EIR platforms.

Strengthening these systems must include capacity building for health personnel in data analysis and use, as well as developing user-friendly digital tools. This is critical given increasingly complex vaccination schedules and catch-up strategies aimed at reducing missed opportunities and improving coverage.

Objective of the consultancy:

To support the Special Comprehensive Immunization Program (CIM) and the countries of the Region in strengthening electronic immunization registries and immunization information systems, promoting the strategic use of data to strengthen evidence-based decision-making and the management of immunization programs at all levels.

Consultant’s responsibilities:

Under the general supervision of the CIM Deputy Manager and the direct supervision of the CIM Regional Immunization Advisor, the consultant will be responsible for, but not limited to:

1.Monitoring and evaluation of RIAP2030 and tracking of the Immunization Agenda 2030: Updating and maintaining RIAP2030 indicator monitoring tools, supporting the collection, consolidation, validation and consistency of information reported by countries to strengthen comparability and regional analysis of progress.

2. Documentation of Vaccination Policies and Coverage Analysis: Systematize vaccination policies implemented for different population groups using Joint Reporting Form data and promote the use of analytical tools for coverage monitoring and evidence-based decision-making.

3. Development of Capacity-Building Courses for Health Personnel: Develop and design virtual or in-person courses to strengthen the analytical capacities of national immunization teams, with a practical approach tailored to the country’s needs, and especially those of health workers.

4.Support the Implementation and effective use of digital tools for vaccination, including Electronic Immunization Registries (EIR) and decision-making tools  

Provide technical support to countries in the Region upon request, for the implementation, strengthening, and improvement of EIR, taking into account functional, operational, and information management aspects. Support the systematic monitoring of national initiatives related to the development and strengthening of EIR, including the collection and systematization of information regarding progress, challenges, and opportunities for improvement identified by the countries. Facilitate coordination and exchange of experiences among countries on EIR implementation, promoting the sharing of best practices, lessons learned, and relevant regional experiences, as well as supporting the dissemination of country experiences through scientific journals, conferences, and technical meetings Support processes for analyzing and defining technical criteria related to the evaluation of vaccination schedules, catch-up strategies, and vaccination opportunities for incorporation into digital decision-making support tools. Support the pilot implementation and systematization of experiences related to digital tools for vaccination decision-making in countries of the Region, including identification of lessons learned and opportunities for improvement.

Required profile:

A university degree in health (Medicine, Nursing, etc.) and a graduate degree (master’s or higher) in Public Health, social sciences, or related fields, with at least 7 years of experience in health, management, and the use of technological tools, as well as in the analysis of data from health information systems. The consultant must have demonstrated experience in immunization programs

Desirable: Demonstrated experience in the development, implementation, or use of vaccination information systems will be considered an asset.

Languages:

Deliverables may be submitted in Spanish or English. An intermediate level of proficiency in the other language is required.

Duration: Duration: July 1, 2026 – December 31, 2026, with the possibility of extension based on performance and funding availability.

Location: Remote, with standard working hours aligned with Washington, DC, USA.

Compensation: Band B (USD 258- 314 per day)

Administration

Payments will be approved by the PAHO Immunization Advisor once PAHO’s technical team has approved the progress reports and will be made monthly. This means that the consultant must submit the documents for review prior to the scheduled date for each payment; any adjustments requested must incorporated and resubmit the documents for approval and authorization of payment.

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.