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 23, 2026
Closing Date:
July 5, 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
Addressing the health effects of air pollution remains a priority to achieve LAC regional public health goals. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 340,000 deaths are attributable to the combined effects of household and ambient air pollution in the region. Exposure to air pollutants is associated with harmful health effects, including cardiovascular disease, stroke, COPD, and acute respiratory infections.
The health sector is playing a pivotal role in the regional response to air pollution. Ministries of Health are engaging in the preparation of National Air Quality Standards with public health goals based on the WHO Guidelines and interim objectives; incorporating air quality monitoring data into EPI Surveillance Systems of Air Pollution; conducting health impact assessments; integrating air quality, climate and health action and advocating for the inclusion of public health into policy making in the region among other actions.
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has incorporated air quality and health as key components of its technical cooperation. Following the development of the WHO 2nd Global Air Pollution and Health Conference in Cartagena, Colombia, and the launch of the WHO Updated road map for an enhanced global response to the adverse health effects of air pollution, PAHO has supported Member States in the Preparation of a Regional Roadmap on Air Quality and Health. The regional Roadmap aligns directly with the ambitious global voluntary target set by the WHO to reduce mortality attributable to anthropogenic air pollution by 50% by 2040, using 2015 as the baseline.
This consultancy focuses on advancing PAHO’s technical cooperation in the implementation of the Regional Roadmap. The consultancy is coordinated by the Air Quality and Health Advisor at the Unit of Climate Change and Environmental Determinants of Health.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:
- Development of a monitoring framework tool to track the implementation of the Regional Roadmap on Air Quality and Health. The matrix should identify and define sources of information, update frequency, key partners, and mechanisms for collecting information; along with this product, the consultant should identify a list of priority products to be developed by PAHO for the implementation of the roadmap.
- Preparation of baseline indicators for the roadmap. The consultant should propose and estimate baseline conditions for the indicators outlined in the Roadmap. For indicators that require specific developments and third-party support, the consultant should identify key criteria and partners.
- Organize key outreach and capacity building events including: a) The PAHO-AIDIS Inter American Clean Air Day, b) The Clean Air For Blue Skies Day, c) a session of the AirQ+ Regional Expert Group and d) a capacity building session as part of the implementation of the Regional Roadmap.
- End-of-year report outlining progress in the implementation of the Air Quality and Health program and indicators, including: a) inputs for PMA2 and other PAHO Planning processes, b) progress in the implementation of the Roadmap, c) progress report for the AirQ+ Expert Group and d) progress in the implementation of projects funded with voluntary contributions.
Qualifications, experience, skills and languages
Education:
- Advanced degree (Master’s or PhD) in environmental public health, medicine, engineering, or a related field.
Experience:
- Minimum of 7 years of professional experience in the field of air quality and health, including technical cooperation activities with public offices.
- Proven experience in planning processes, monitoring frameworks, and reporting to international donors and grantors,
- Proven experience in preparing funding proposals and securing resources from diverse funding sources.
- Experience in the use of AirQ+ and other health impact assessment tools.
- Experience working with international organizations and with countries in the Americas
- Familiarity with PAHO's work and technical cooperation activities in the field of air quality and health is preferred.
Technical knowledge/skills:
- In-depth understanding of air pollution, its sources, dispersion, monitoring technologies, abatement strategies, and policy-making.
- Ability to engage with several stakeholders, listen to different viewpoints and facilitate guided discussions.
- Knowledge of the WHO Air Quality Guidelines and the health effects of air pollution.
- Ability to articulate integrated approaches to improve air quality, mitigate climate change and foster health gains.
- Demonstrated ability to effectively use a computer and utilize software programs such as Microsoft Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint and Outlook and working knowledge of AI Tools.
Language and level required:
Language - Level required
English: Working Knowledge
Spanish: Native
Remuneration (Band level Range) and expected duration of contract:
Band Range: Band B - USD 30,000
Expected Duration: Initial term of 6 months, with the possibility of extension up to 24 months.
Location: Off-site
Relocation Required: No
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.
