National PAHO Consultant - Strengthening ESAVI Surveillance and Finalization of Immunization Programme Documents

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 - National PAHO Consultant

Job Posting:

June 22, 2026

Closing Date:

June 30, 2026, 11:59 PM Eastern Time

Primary Location:

Off Site

Organization:

TTO Trinidad and Tobago

Schedule:

Part time

PURPOSE OF CONSULTANCY

The incumbent will provide technical support to PAHO/WHO and the Ministry of Health to strengthen the national immunization programme and ESAVI surveillance system in Trinidad and Tobago, in line with the PAHO Elimination Initiative. This includes updating and finalizing key immunization programme documents, supporting the implementation of priority ESAVI system improvements, and enhancing coordination, data use, and capacity building among stakeholders.

The incumbent will facilitate stakeholder engagement, contribute to the development of a roadmap for ESAVI system strengthening, and support the operationalization of surveillance processes to improve service quality, safety, and public confidence. The incumbent is expected to exercise sound technical judgment, provide recommendations, and work collaboratively to ensure timely delivery and national ownership of outputs.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:

Terms of Reference

Consultant – Strengthening ESAVI Surveillance and Finalization of Immunization Programme Documents

NPC

Timeframe: 3 August – 27 November 2026 (50% FTE)

Location: Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago

Objectives of the Office/Department

PAHO Country Offices are responsible for ensuring that the Pan American Health Organization / World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) country program of technical cooperation and its country presence provides adequate support to the national health development process and, at the same time, enables countries to shape the sub-regional, regional, and global health agendas. The PAHO/WHO Trinidad and Tobago Country Office (PAHO/WHO TTO CO), covering Trinidad and Tobago, Aruba, Curacao, Sint Maarten, Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba, is the basic organizational unit for technical cooperation with the countries, drawing on PAHO/WHO resources from all levels and all parts of the Organization.

Organizational Context

The incumbent will provide technical support to PAHO/WHO and the Ministry of Health to strengthen the national immunization programme and ESAVI surveillance system in Trinidad and Tobago, in line with the PAHO Elimination Initiative. This includes updating and finalizing key immunization programme documents, supporting the implementation of priority ESAVI system improvements, and enhancing coordination, data use, and capacity building among stakeholders.

The incumbent will facilitate stakeholder engagement, contribute to the development of a roadmap for ESAVI system strengthening, and support the operationalization of surveillance processes to improve service quality, safety, and public confidence. The incumbent is expected to exercise sound technical judgment, provide recommendations, and work collaboratively to ensure timely delivery and national ownership of outputs.

Scope of Work & Methodology

Under the general supervision of the PAHO/WHO Representative and the technical supervision of the Technical Officer Health Promotion, Life Course and Determinants, the consultant will:

• Update and finalize the National Immunization Manual in alignment with the PAHO Caribbean Immunization Manual.

• Update and finalize the guidelines for Immunization for Healthcare Workers

• Update and finalize associated Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), including: Regulations and protocols for surveillance of vaccine-preventable diseases; Roles and responsibilities for sample collection and handling; Safe injection practices and infection prevention measures.

• Update and finalize the Measles Response Plan, ensuring alignment with PAHO/WHO guidance.

• Finalize the National ESAVI Manual in alignment with WHO/PAHO standards for vaccine safety surveillance post executive meeting recommendations.

• Finalize ESAVI SOPs, including procedures for detection, notification, reporting, investigation, causality assessment, data management, and risk communication according to recommendations post executive meeting.

• Support the implementation of agreed short- and medium-term ESAVI system strengthening actions, including:

a.     Standardization of reporting tools and processes

b.     Strengthening coordination mechanisms across national and sub-national levels

c.     Supporting the establishment and/or operationalization of ESAVI investigation teams

• Develop a practical implementation roadmap to guide the strengthening of the

national ESAVI surveillance system.

• Lay the foundation for longer-term ESAVI system development, including considerations for:

Legislative and policy frameworks

Digital reporting and information systems

Establishment of a national vaccine safety committee

Qualifications

Essential:

A bachelor’s degree in public health or health sciences from a recognized institution.

Desirable:

Advanced degree in health sciences or equivalent experience

Reporting Relationship:

The consultant will report to the PAHO Technical Officer, Health Promotion Life Course and Determinants. The consultant will submit invoices and activity reports for approval by the PAHO/WHO Representative, according to the schedule indicated below.

Remuneration:

The consultant will be remunerated at the Band B level of the salary scale for the PAHO Consultants (NPCs). The consultant will be remunerated at 50% FTE (part-time).

Deliverables and Payment Schedule:

Payment Schedule

1.     Workplan and inception report; Due: 7 August 2026; TTD $6,856.00

2.     Final immunization manuals, guidelines, SOPs and measles plan; Due: 5 October 2026; TTD 13,712.00

3.     Final ESAVI manual and SOPs; Due: 6 November 2026; TTD 20,568.00

4.     Completed ESAVI short & medium-term actions and roadmap of next steps; due: 27 November 2026; TTD 27,424.00

The total value of the contract is TTD68,560.00

Deliverables to be encompassed in Inception Workplan:

Detailed Workplan and Methodology

·       Refined implementation timeline aligned with TOR deliverables and milestones

·       Description of approach for document review, stakeholder engagement, and validation

·       Risk assessment and mitigation strategies

Stakeholder Engagement and Coordination Plan

·       Mapping of key stakeholders (MOH units, EPI team, laboratories, partners)

·       Schedule of consultations, validation meetings, and technical working sessions

·       Communication and coordination mechanisms

Document Review and Gap Analysis Plan

·       Inventory of all existing immunization manuals, guidelines, SOPs, and ESAVI documents

·       Framework and tools for reviewing alignment with PAHO/WHO standards

·       Prioritization of documents for updating and finalization

Immunization Programme Documents Finalization Plan

Approach and timeline for updating:

-National Immunization Manual

- Immunization guidelines for Healthcare Workers

-SOPs (VPD surveillance, sample handling, safe injection, IPC)

-Measles Response Plan

ESAVI System Strengthening Plan

·       Roadmap for finalizing ESAVI manual and SOPs

·       Approach for standardizing reporting tools and processes

·       Strategy for strengthening detection, reporting, investigation, and causality assessment processes

Implementation Plan for Short- and Medium-Term ESAVI Actions

·       Activities and timelines for:

-Strengthening coordination mechanisms

-Establishing/operationalizing ESAVI investigation teams

-Capacity building and training of healthcare workers

Data Management and Systems Strengthening Approach

·       Plan for improving ESAVI data collection, management, and reporting

·       Considerations for integration with digital platforms

Long-Term Systems Development Framework (Conceptual Approach)

·       Initial approach to:

-Legislative and policy considerations

-Digital reporting systems

-Establishment of a national vaccine safety committee

Deliverables Schedule Linked to Payment Milestones

Experience:

Essential:

o   Five years’ experience in immunization in the Caribbean Region

o   Evidence of experience with health data management tools

Desirable:

o   Demonstrable knowledge on Events Supposedly Attributable to Vaccines or Immunizations (ESAVI)

o   Experience working in the Caribbean context

Technical Expertise:

• Strong technical expertise in immunization programme management and vaccine safety surveillance, including experience with ESAVI systems and the development and operationalization of guidelines, manuals, and SOPs.

• Ability to communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders and support coordination across multiple levels of the health system.

• Proficiency in the effective use of computer applications, including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Outlook) and health information systems such as DHIS2 and STRATA.

• Demonstrated analytical skills, initiative, and ability to translate technical standards into practical, context-appropriate solutions

• Ability to work independently

• Strong professional oral and writing skills, including the development of reports, oral presentations, and technical documents for consideration at the highest levels of the Organization.

Confidentiality and Ownership:

• All deliverables produced during the consultancy will remain the property of the PAHO/WHO TTO CO.

• The consultant agrees to maintain confidentiality regarding any sensitive information or data shared during the assignment.

Evaluation:

• Performance will be evaluated based on the quality and timeliness of the deliverables, alignment with organizational objectives, and stakeholder feedback.

Terms and Conditions

• The consultant agrees to comply with all applicable legal and ethical standards.

The consultant will not delegate any of the responsibilities without prior written consent from the PAHO/WHO TTO CO.

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.