International PAHO Consultant - Measles vaccination data analysis

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:

October 2, 2026

Closing Date:

October 9, 2026, 11:59 PM Eastern Time

Primary Location:

Off Site

Organization:

CIM Comprehensive Immunizations

Schedule:

Full time

PURPOSE OF CONSULTANCY

This requisition is for a consultancy at the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)/Regional Office of the World Health Organization (WHO).

• Provide a short description of the objective of the office/department here.

• Provide a description of the purpose of the consultancy here.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:

Terms of Reference

Consultancy for the advanced analysis of routine vaccination data, examining information systems and data quality within surveillance systems in the Region of the Americas, with an emphasis on measles

Background:

Currently, Expanded Programs on Immunization (EPI) in the Region of the Americas and the Caribbean face critical challenges across their core components, particularly in vaccination coverage and vaccine-preventable disease (VPD) surveillance. These systemic difficulties are further exacerbated by ongoing public health threats, such as the active regional measles outbreak. In this increasingly complex environment—driven by the introduction of costly next-generation vaccines, the expansion of life-course immunization approach, and rising operational budgets—ensuring transparency and strict accountability is paramount. Consequently, optimizing evidence-based decision-making and program management requires a robust framework grounded in high-quality information, systematic data monitoring, and rigorous evaluation. These shifting dynamics have forced countries to enhance their data management infrastructures to precisely determine where, when, and whom to vaccinate.

Robust data management is critical for monitoring immunization coverage, detecting disease outbreaks in a timely manner, and implementing targeted interventions that protect individuals and communities from vaccine-preventable diseases. Despite progress in vaccination coverage, challenges persist related to data quality, internal consistency, and the effective use of information for program improvement. Accurate and high-quality health data form the backbone of effective immunization and disease surveillance systems. However, countries continue to face issues such as incomplete reporting, unresolved denominator inconsistencies, and the absence of mechanisms to validate subnational coverage. Additional barriers include delayed reporting, missing data elements, and internal discrepancies.

Advances in information and communication technologies, together with geographic information systems and more affordable connectivity, now allow for the development of secure, scalable, and user-friendly solutions capable of processing large data volumes in near real time, while upholding high standards of confidentiality and data protection. Electronic immunization registries (EIRs), surveillance and health information system management require specialized analyses that support decision-making processes, as well as sustained efforts to strengthen national capacities in designing and implementing electronic nominal vaccination registries, dashboards, and other tools that facilitate timely and equitable actions.

Purpose of the Consultancy:

To provide technical support to PAHO’s Immunization Unit (CIM) by strengthening immunization data management, enhancing data quality, supporting the analysis and visualization of country data, and contributing to the development and use of a Data Quality methodology for VPD surveillance information systems. The consultancy will support a) the development, validation and implementation of a methodology to evaluate the data quality of the information system used to surveillance vaccine-preventable diseases, specifically measles; b) the analyses for estimating the indicators proposed within the PAHOabc approach and associated reports, and c) support of the implementation and improvement of the Performance monitoring tool for EPI, as well as, its implementation in countries.

Description:

Under the supervision of the Deputy Manager of CIM, and the direct supervision of the CIM Regional Immunization Advisor, the incumbent is responsible for the following deliverables:

• Develop, validate and implement an analytic methodology to evaluate VPD surveillance information systems and Data Quality and the in the Region, with focus in the measles surveillance.

• Contribute to the strengthening of the Monitoring Performance tool methodology and the result analysis, including the development of the digital new version.

• Support countries in the implementation of the EPI Performance Monitoring tool.

• Contribute to the strengthening of the R PAHOabc package by developing a short and medium-term proposal for the incorporation of new analyses and assisting in the documentation of the package.

• Support the preparation of regional analyses and summaries for internal and external audiences using eJRF and other information sources.

• Contribute to other activities developed by the regional team that aim to optimize the data analysis processes of the immunization programs of the countries of the Region.

• Propose and generate different instances of communication and dissemination of the results obtained: written communications in the regional immunization bulletin or in the Global Immunization Newsletter, webinars or others according to the guidelines of the regional team.

Profile:

Education: Professional with a university degree in health (Medicine, nursing, etc.) and postgraduate university degree in areas related to Public Health, with at least 7 years experience in health, disease surveillance, management and use of health information systems and data. The consultant must have demonstrated experience in the development, implementation or use of VPD Surveillance information systems, Electronic Immunization Registries or other immunization information systems, and proven skills in data analysis, data quality assessment, and use of statistical or visualization tools.

Desirable: Professional with experience in immunization programs, disease surveillance is appreciated.

Languages: The material must be completed in Spanish or English, and the consultant is required to have at least intermediate knowledge of the other language

Experience: At least 7 years experience in health, disease surveillance, management and use of health information systems and data.

Duration: 1 November 2026 to 30 April 2027

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

Payment: Band B, US $258 daily. Payments will be processed upon submission of deliverables and approval by the supervisor.

Deliverables:

Product

Value

Deliverable date

1. Technical document with the report of the potential tools and methodologies to use for the VPD surveillance information systems and a proposal for a evaluation framework and an instrument to assess the SIS as applied to measles surveillance, including their integration with laboratory and immunization information systems.

USD 5,046

11/28/2026

2. Report on the results of the instrument validation with national and international technical experts (PAHO/WHO, CDC, and experts in surveillance, immunization, and information systems).

USD 4,383

12/19/2026

3. Report on the implementation of a methodology pilot in a priority country

USD 4,383

1/10/2027

4. Report with the development and rationale of at least 2 PAHOabc indicators and country support.

USD 4,383

1/23/2027

5. Report on activities associated with the Monitoring of the Performance of the EPIs of the Region, including the support and follow-up of countries.

USD 4,383

2/20/2027

6. Final report on the process, outlining the gaps and strengths of the evaluated system and formulating specific recommendations for strengthening it.

USD 5,382

3/20/2027

7. Methodological final document with guide to be applied for countries

USD 3,000

4/30/2027

Total

USD 30,960

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.