PAHO Consultant - Gender Equality and Health Equity

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:

June 2, 2026

Closing Date:

June 14, 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

Organizational Context

The Department of Social and Environmental Determinants for Health Equity (DHE) oversees work in climate change and environmental determinants; health promotion and social determinants, including health legislation; equity, gender, human rights, and cultural diversity. Given the subject area expertise in gender and equity, DHE will oversee this consultancy, although the Closing the Gaps in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Project is managed and coordinated by the Office of the Assistant Director (AD). AD supports the PAHO Director in the fulfillment of the Organization’s mission, as well as the achievement of the PAHO Strategic Plan. The Office also provides leadership and good governance for public health in the Americas.

As noted above, the Office of the Assistant Director is responsible for managing and coordinating the Closing the Gaps in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Project, which is supported by the Government of Canada, through its Department of Global Affairs Canada (GAC), with a contribution of CAD$15M to be implemented over the period 2026-2030. The Project will support the achievement of PAHO’s Strategic Plan (2026-2031), as well as PAHO’s Biennial Work Plan at both the regional and country office entity levels.

The Project is aligned and responds to Canada’s international development priorities in sexual and reproductive health, maternal health, adolescent health, and gender equality. It is focused in six priority countries (Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Honduras, and Peru) with participation of six PAHO Headquarters entities. The Office of the Assistant Director is seeking a Gender Equality and Health Equity Specialist to provide guidance on gender equality and health equity mainstreaming in the Project.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:

Summary of responsibilities

Detailed objectives

Under the direct guidance and supervision of the Department Director DHE and the general supervision of the Technical Advisor on Public Health Policy from the Office of the Assistant Director, the incumbent is responsible for, but not limited to, the following: 

Expected outputs of the work assignment, delivery dates, payment and mode of delivery

Product

1. Work plan to strengthen gender equality and health equity at the country level in the framework of the Project, including in Project activities included in the Annual Work Plans, based on the analysis and gaps included in the Project Gender Equality and Health Equity Strategy

2. Progress report on work plan

3. Provide comments on 2027 Annual Work Plans

4. Progress report on work plan

5. Participate in monitoring exercises and provide comments on Year 1 (2026) progress report

6. Final report on work plan

A preliminary survey of project country focal points indicated strong interest in and demand for support from the Gender Equality and Health Equity consultant in several areas, including: reviewing activities and materials for gender responsiveness; building the capacity among PAHO country office staff and partners on the consultancy’s core themes; applying the PAHO Health Equity Tool; and strengthening communications and knowledge products through gender- and culturally sensitive messaging.

Management & Reporting Requirements

Management:

The Consultant will:

• Be contracted by the Department of Social and Environmental Determinants for Health Equity at PAHO Headquarters in Washington DC, USA. Accordingly, her/his contract will be managed by this office, while working remotely.
• Be accountable to and directly report to the Department Director DHE and the general supervision of the Technical Advisor on Public Health Policy from the Office of the Assistant Director.
• Be responsible to fully carry out all outputs of the work assignment, as noted above. 

4.  Location and Duration

Duration:

The Consultancy will run from 1 August 2026 until 5 February 2027, with the possibility of extension, depending on the availability of funding.

Location of the assignment:

The Consultant will work from a remote location.

Travel:

The Consultant may be required to travel to project countries as needed.

5.  Qualification Requirements

Academic qualification:

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent degree) in public/international health, social sciences, or gender studies.

Experience:

• Nine to eleven years of progressively responsible experience in conducting gender equality, cultural diversity, health equity analysis, research, training, and/or advocacy, in Latin America and the Caribbean.
• Demonstrated experience integrating gender equality, cultural diversity, and intersectional approaches in project activities.
• Experience working in international organizations.
• Experience leading workshops and consultations and/or dialogues on gender, health equity, cultural diversity, social class, intersectionality and/or related topics.
• Experience and knowledge applying the PAHO Health Equity Tool (HET) or others and conducting consultations.

Technical skills: Strong knowledge of social sciences and inequality,  gender, health equity, and intersectionality. Strong communication skills (written and oral) for international organizations.

Competencies: Drive for results, capacity to communicate in culturally diverse contexts; strong teamwork and interpersonal skills; ability to analyze and synthesize information and data analysis quantitative and qualitative techniques; accountability; knowledge and information management; demonstrated ability to effectively use a computer and utilize software programs such as Microsoft Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, and Outlook.

Languages: Fluency in spoken and written English and Spanish is required.

7. Duration:

This contract will have a duration of six months, from 1 August 2026 to 5 February 2027.

8.  Remuneration

$37,200 to be paid in installments as indicated in the Expected outputs of the work assignment, delivery dates, payment and mode of delivery table.

9. Band:

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.