PAHO Consultant - Regionalization of the WHO ATACH in Latin America and the Caribbean

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:

February 26, 2026

Closing Date:

March 15, 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

Regionalization of the WHO Alliance for Transformative Action on Climate and Health (ATACH) in Latin America and the Caribbean

Background:

Climate change threatens the foundations of public health and the resilience of health systems worldwide. In response, the Health Programme of the United Kingdom UNFCCC COP26 Presidency catalyzed commitments by over 100 countries to strengthen climate-resilient, low-carbon health systems and support defined health-promoting interventions by other sectors (e.g., food and nutrition). To support implementation, WHO and the UK Government launched ATACH, a WHO-hosted platform fostering coordinated global action, knowledge exchange, and technical alignment across five key priority areas:

1. Climate-resilient health systems

2. Low-carbon sustainable health systems

3. Supply Chains

4. Health promoting interventions by health determining sectors (i.e. I-CAN)

5. Finance

The WHO-ATACH provides a global platform to accelerate climate‑resilient and low‑carbon health systems, support national commitments, and strengthen multisectoral collaboration.

To enhance regional relevance, coordination, and impact, WHO seeks to regionalize ATACH in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), ensuring that countries benefit from tailored technical support, peer learning, and alignment and strengthened collaboration with subregional institutions, including CARICOM, SICA, and others. Countries in LAC face escalating climate-related health risks, including extreme heat, vector‑borne diseases, water insecurity, air pollution, and climate‑driven disasters. Therefore, as climate impacts intensify across LAC, the need for coordinated regional action, technical cooperation, and knowledge exchange has become increasingly urgent.

PAHO, as the WHO Regional Office for the Americas, supports Member States in strengthening climate resilient health systems, reducing health sector emissions, and integrating climate considerations into public health policies. PAHO also plays a central role in LAC in translating global priorities into regional action, providing technical and convening leadership, and supporting Member States to meet their commitments and priorities under the Belem Health Action Plan, which was launched at COP30.

A strong, sustained bridge between WHO HQ, PAHO HQ, and the LAC region is essential to ensure that global frameworks, tools, and networks are relevant, implemented, and responsive to country and regional needs. To enhance regional coordination, peer learning, and technical cooperation, PAHO is supporting the regionalization of ATACH in LAC. This consultancy will provide focused support for PAHO’s role as a regional hub for ATACH, facilitating participation, alignment, and delivery across countries and technical areas.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:

Purpose:

To provide technical, coordination, and strategic support to PAHO for the regionalization of ATACH in Latin America and the Caribbean, including stakeholder engagement, development of regional governance mechanisms, alignment with PAHO’s climate and health agenda, and facilitation of country participation in ATACH workstreams.

Objectives:

• Develop a regional ATACH engagement and coordination model tailored to LAC.
• Strengthen participation of LAC Member States in ATACH workstreams.
• Support the establishment of a regional ATACH platform, network, or community of practice that contributes to the Global ATACH initiative and feeds specific regional priorities and needs.
• Produce technical and strategic documents to guide ATACH implementation in the region and support those countries having joined the ATACH in the region to develop roadmaps for implementation of their climate change and health priorities, including those related to regional and global commitments and priorities (e.g., Global Action Plan on Climate and Health, Belem Health Action Plan, COP26 Commitments for climate resilient and low carbon sustainable health systems).
• Facilitate alignment between global ATACH priorities and PAHO’s regional climate and health initiatives

Description of Deliverables:

Consultant will be responsible for delivering the following products/services and for performing the following duties under the direct supervision of the Regional Advisor on Climate Change and Health and in coordination with the WHO ATACH Secretariat:

Strengthen ATACH coordination and engagement

• Support the activities regarding LAC contributions to ATACH and its priority areas of work, including operational mechanisms such as task teams, technical meetings, and community of practice.
• Support the coordination of inputs from the LAC Region to ATACH processes and events.
• Ensure alignment of regional activities and deliverables with ATACH strategic priorities and global climate-health agendas. To do so, a mapping of global and regional priorities and commitments will be developed and made available at the ATACH website. This will be used to facilitate the development of national roadmaps for implementation.
• Support engagement of member states wishing to become part of the Alliance and acting as the primary focal point to follow-up with those countries having joined the ATACH, together with HQ.
• Support WHO-HQ with ATACH-related global functions (e.g., management of Community of Practice, organization of online meetings) for a total of 1 day/week throughout the consultancy.

Facilitate contributions to ATACH priority areas

• Support the participation of LAC Member States in ATACH priority areas of work (especially Health Systems, Research, and Finance).
• Help to coordinate technical inputs to WHO and ATACH knowledge products, global policy briefs, and collaborative tools.
• Support LAC in technical discussions and facilitate knowledge exchange across working groups.
• Support LAC MS to develop case studies summarizing country experience, priorities and challenges to showcase and advance implementation of climate change and health relevant to ATACH priority areas.

Translate global frameworks into regional practice

• Help operationalize global ATACH frameworks, guidance, and commitments within the LAC context.
• Identify opportunities to align national health adaptation plans and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and climate strategies with ATACH principles.
• Feed LAC priorities into ATACH vision and strategy and support the LAC representative to the ATACH Steering Group (SG) to represent the views and priorities of the broader LAC Region.
• Support LAC countries to develop climate change and health funding proposals to be submitted to e.g., the Adaptation Fund (AF) or the Green Climate Fund (GCF).

Build strategic linkages and momentum

• Participate in planning and coordination calls with WHO HQ and PAHO HQ to coordinate closely to ensure consistent messaging and support to countries.
• Provide support for regional and global events, publications, and communications.
• Draft and coordinate technical inputs and communications between PAHO and WHO HQ

Monitoring and Reporting

• Prepare monthly progress reports and technical summaries.
• Develop monitoring indicators for regional ATACH implementation while contributing to the overall ATACH monitoring function and the ATACH Task Team on indicators.
• Contribute to donor reporting and resource mobilization materials as needed

Deliverable

1. Due Date 30 April 2026

A report including i) a Regional ATACH coordination and engagement plan, with mapped contributions to each priority area and country participation tracking; ii) Map of regional priorities to be made available in the ATACH Community of Practice.

2. Due Date: 26 June 2026

A report including i) Country roadmaps for implementation of Climate Change and Health priorities and commitments ii) draft LAC case studies highlighting country experiences, challenges and innovations in climate-health implementation

3. Due Date: 31 August 2026

An interim report on the implementation of activities including i) list of regional partners invited to join the ATACH and convened by PAHO around country needs and priorities; ii) regional ATACH meetings organized (either in-person or virtual); mapping of alignment opportunities for mobilizing resources with national plans

4. Due Date: 19 October 2026

A report including i) communication and engagement products that strengthen visibility, coherence, and momentum for the ATACH; ii) a practical framework translating global ATACH guidance into actionable regional steps

5. Due Date: 21 December 2026

Final consultancy report, including i) final case studies ii) consolidated regional inputs to ATACH products iii) a policy brief and iv) full documentation of LAC participation in working groups and Global ATACH meetings.

Payments will be made upon submission and approval of deliverables, in accordance with PAHO HR rules.

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages:

Education:

• A university degree and an advanced degree (Master’s or PhD) in environmental health, public health, global health or a related field.

Experience:

• At least seven years of experience in health systems strengthening, climate change and health, or environmental health, at least part of which at the international level.
• Experience working with or within government or multilateral organisations and demonstrated ability to engage government and partner stakeholders.
• Technical knowledge and/or operational experience in climate-resilient health systems, health infrastructure, or sustainable health service delivery is preferred.

Technical knowledge/skills:

• Understanding of PAHO and WHO frameworks, tools, and global processes on climate-resilient health systems and sustainability.
• Excellent Planning, management and organization skills, ability to present concise and clear analysis and recommendations.
• Flexible, self-motivating, detail and results-oriented, proven problem-solving skills, able to prioritize, and manage multiple tasks simultaneously with minimal supervision.
• Demonstrated ability to work with large teams, intercultural environments, and coordinate complex projects.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to write technical documents, coordinate multi-stakeholder engagement, and support implementation processes.

Desirable

• Familiarity with the LAC Region context is an asset.

Language and level required:

English: Fluent & working knowledge

Spanish: Fluent & working knowledge

Portuguese: Desirable

French: Desirable

Remuneration (Band level Range) and expected duration of contract:

Band Range: Band B $45,454

Expected Duration: From March 2026 to December 2026 (9 months)

Location: Off-site

Travel: As required

Performance Evaluation and Criteria:

The consultant’s performance will be evaluated at mid-term, for feedback and adjustments, and at the end of the consultancy. The performance evaluation process will include an open dialogue with the project manager and a participatory review that will touch upon the technical expertise.

The performance evaluation will evaluate the timeliness and the quality of the submitted deliverables, as indicated in these Terms of Reference, as well as the proactivity of the consultant in planning, organizing, and compiling work for submission. The consultant will need to ensure that the work is complete and accurate, and will need to be Conscientious and alert in establishing and meeting project-related timelines.

In addition, the consultant will have to ensure:

Ownership:

All products and materials resulting from this contract are the property of PAHO/WHO and are subject to the rules and regulations governing copyrights. The Consultant may not make use of information gathered during this project without the written consent of PAHO/WHO.

Location:

The Consultant will work remotely from their normal place of residence.

Reporting requirements:

The Consultant will report to the Project Manager on the progress of the project and outline any challenges that can potentially affect the work.

Status Reports:

The Consultant will be required to submit the deliverable/report and invoice (to the Project Manager to facilitate payment of fees.

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.