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 9, 2026
Closing Date:
June 25, 2026, 11:59 PM
Primary Location:
Organization:
PRO Procurement and Supply Management
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).
Objective: The Department of Procurement and Supply Management (PRO) provides technical, managerial and strategic guidance for the purchasing and contracting actions of PAHO Headquarters, Country Offices, and Centers. PRO is responsible for sourcing, vendor relationship management, and procure-to-pay cycle of the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization Regional Office of The Americas (PAHO/WHO). PRO also develops and oversees implementation of the Organization’s procurement policies and procedures in order to promote the effective use of the Organization’s resources ensuring transparent, ethical and cost-effective procurement in compliance with PAHO’s rules and regulations.
Purpose: As part of the implementation of a new Freight Forwarder (3PL) logistics model, PAHO is seeking an experienced consultant to support the design, implementation, and optimization of international logistics operations, strengthening end to end visibility, efficiency, and risk management. Provide technical expertise in international logistics, multimodal transport, and claims management to support the rollout and continuous improvement of PAHO’s logistics model.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:
Under the general supervision of the Director, Procurement and Supply Management (PRO) and the direct supervision of the Procurement Advisor, Regional Revolving Funds (PRO/RRF) the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following assigned duties:
- Support implementation of the Freight Forwarder (3PL) model
- Review and optimize current processes vs. future operating model
- Align practices with UN standards (UNICEF / WHO)
- Contribute to development of SOPs, presentations, and project materials
- Support strategic decisions (e.g., consolidation, mode optimization)
- Coordinate operationally with Freight Forwarders (e.g., Scan Global)
- Support pilot phase, evaluation, and process adjustments
- Strengthen claims management processes and root cause analysis
- Enhance tracking, visibility, and KPI monitoring frameworks
- Provide technical advice and support decision-making
- Facilitate knowledge transfer and capacity building
Technical Expertise
- Theoretical and practical knowledge of international procurement/shipment of supplies and equipment, including pharmaceuticals, vaccines, insecticides, medical supplies and equipment.
- Experience with Freight Forwarders and insurance for international transportation.
- Knowledge of customs clearance procedures and international product testing requirements.
- Mature judgment, strong technical, analytical and conceptual skills; demonstrated ability to assess, analyze, synthesize and provide recommendations on procurement/shipment administrative issues.
- Ability to integrate managerial and administrative inputs into recommendations for decision-making processes; ability to manage multiple issues and tasks in a complex organizational environment;
- Ability to analyze and clarify specifications, to solicit and evaluate bids and offers, to identify, discuss and resolve shipping and expediting issues with requisitioners and suppliers and to draft documents and related correspondence.
- Excellent organizational and analytic skills combined with strong professional oral and writing skills, including the development of reports, oral presentations, and technical/persuasive documents for consideration at the highest levels of the Organization.
Additional Job Description:
- Timeline: The consultancy will start as soon as possible following a selection process among qualified candidates. Specific duration of the contract and deadlines will be agreed upon or before a contract is signed.
- Location: Remote
- Supervision: The consultant will report directly to the Procurement Advisor of the Regional Revolving Funds (PRO/RRF) as their primary supervisor, with secondary supervision provided by PRO Director. The consultant will also collaborate closely with other technical teams within the organization.
- Pay Rate Qualifications: Education Experience
- Minimum: $30,960
- Maximum: $37,680
- Contract Duration: Initial term of 6 months, with the possibility of extension up to 12 months.
- Level of Effort: Part-time (20 hours per week) or full-time (40 hours per week), depending on operational needs.
- Essential: A bachelor's degree in business administration, procurement, purchasing, shipping or any other field related to the functions of the post, from a recognized university.
- Desirable: Experience in managing logistics of transportation at international level and overseeing the shipment of perishable (as vaccines and pharmaceuticals) and hazardous materials would be an asset.
- 7–10+ years of experience in international logistics / supply chain, including in Latin America and the Caribbean
- Proven Expertise in: Highly Desirable ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- Freight forwarding (air, ocean, multimodal)
- End‑to‑end transport management
- Coordination with airlines, shipping lines, and carriers
- Logistics documentation (AWB, BL, certificates, invoicing)
- Import processes across multiple countries
- Claims management (loss, damage, delays, temperature)
- Experience within the UN system (UNICEF, WHO, or similar)
- Experience in health supply chains / temperature-controlled cargo
- Experience with 3PL models and logistics service providers
- Languages: Very good knowledge of English or Spanish with a working knowledge of the other language. Knowledge of French and/or Portuguese would be an asset.
- IT Skills: Demonstrated ability to effectively use a computer and utilize software programs such as Microsoft Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint and Outlook. Working knowledge of automated systems and microcomputers particularly with regard to procurement suite, logistics, and/or administrative operations. Other IT skills and knowledge of other software programs such as Visio and Project would be an asset.
- 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.
