Communications Specialist

Off Site

time type

Full time

posted on

Posted 3 Days Ago

job requisition id

Req-05558

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:

March 31, 2026

Closing Date:

April 9, 2026, 11:59 PM Eastern Time

Primary Location:

Off Site

Organization:

IHM Infectious Hazard Management

Schedule:

Full time

PURPOSE OF CONSULTANCY

Purpose of contract:

The purpose of this consultancy is to provide comprehensive communications and web management support, including maintaining SARInet’s communication channels, developing and editing content and graphics, ensuring the timely publication and dissemination of technical information, and supporting RCCE activities that reinforce respiratory virus surveillance and preparedness efforts.

Description of deliverables:

The objective of the Health Emergencies Department (PHE) of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) is to increase health sector resilience to emergencies and disasters. PHE assists Member States to strengthen the health sector’s capacities in prevention, risk reduction, preparedness, surveillance, response, and early recovery for emergencies and disasters related to any hazards (natural, man-made, biological, chemical, radiological and others) and, when national capacities are overwhelmed, to lead and coordinate the international health response to contain disasters, including outbreaks, and to provide effective relief and recovery to affected populations. PHE is responsible for ensuring the implementation and updating of the PAHO/WHO Institutional Emergency and Disaster Response Policy.

The consultant will work within the PHE Infectious Hazard Management (IHM) Unit, which supports countries in strengthening the surveillance, prevention, preparedness, and control of pandemic‑ and epidemic‑prone diseases. The Unit develops and implements evidence‑based strategies to predict, prevent, detect, and respond to infectious hazards, and ensures the effective functioning of regional surveillance systems for these threats. The consultant will also closely coordinate the deliverables with the Resource Mobilization and Communications team (RMC) of the PHE department with the Communications Specialist (RMC/HEO).

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:

General responsibilities:

Under the direct supervision of the Advisor, Epidemiology of Epidemic-prone Diseases and the general supervision of the Unit Chief, Infectious Hazard Management, the consultant will perform the following functions:

• Create content, update existing content, and review the materials to publish on sarinet.org.

• Create and add graphics to improve the webpage sarinet.org.

• Give marketing recommendations to follow on social networks and propose a strategy for sarinet.org.

• Create analytics reports of the web and social network and give recommendations to improve.

• Publish new documentation and information in general.

• Maintain, review and update SARInet website as a webmaster and PAHO influenza related websites and coordinate the publication of new technical content to these sites. Time sensitive information is uploaded in a daily basis, regularly at off-hours, including weekends.

• Review and update the agenda of the Respiratory Virus team activities that need communications components.

• Elaboration and dissemination of the agenda with the activities of the network (SARInet plus).

• Support communication activities conducted as part of the technical activities developed by the Respiratory Virus team or revision of contents of ad hoc technical documents/publications.

• Ensure that the activities of the Respiratory Virus team that require communication are carried out on time and based on the established requirements.

• Create simple graphic design materials to better communicate different activities by the Respiratory Virus team, through PHE social media channels and web page (PAHO and SARInet).

• Perform content revisions and editions for SARInet or Respiratory Virus team publications, in coordination with PUB unit when and if these publications are uploaded into PUBTrack if needed.

• Revision of the content of the weekly Respiratory Virus bulletin if needed.

• Support in-country communication activities conducted as part of the technical activities developed by the influenza team and any other task related to communications.

• Support RCCE activities that reinforce respiratory virus surveillance and enhance countries’ preparedness and response efforts, in coordination with the PHE Communications specialist.

Deliverables and payment schedule

The consultant will be responsible for delivering the following products/services related to these responsibilities with input from the respective project manager, the Advisor, Epidemiology of Epidemic-prone Diseases:

• RCCE Session Technical Report from the 2026 SARInet Regional Meeting.  Product payment $3,870.   Due date: 29 May.  

• Latest SARInet Newsletter Featuring Regional and Country Surveillance and Laboratory Updates.  Product payment $3,870.  Due date: 26 June.

• Infographic Package on Surveillance, Laboratory Strengthening, and PIP Framework Activities (15th anniversary).   Product payment: $4,945.   Due date: 31 July.

• Consolidated Status Report on Technical Documents Undergoing the PAHO Publication Workflow.  Product payment: $3,870.  Due date: 28  August.

• 2026 Progress Report on the Implementation of the IHM Communications Strategy.   Product payment: $4,300.  Due date 29 September.

Note: The hiring of the selected candidate will be subject to the presentation of the following documents (Note: These documents are NOT required to apply to this position but will be required before a contract can be signed):

• Copy of diploma and/or certificate(s)

• Three letters of professional references that include the full name of the contact person, telephone number, and address or email.

Qualifications, experience, skills, and languages

EDUCATION
Essential: University degree in communications, marketing, journalism, or related field
Desirable: A master’s degree in communications or related field would be an asset

EXPERIENCE
Essential: 5 years of experience in creating communications content, including copywriting, graphic design and editing abilities, and webmaster experience

TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE SKILLS

• Knowledge of strategic communication in public health, including planning, implementation, and evaluation of communication initiatives, as well as risk communication and community engagement (RCCE).

• Proficiency in web content management systems (CMS) such as WordPress, Drupal, or similar platforms, including content uploading, editing, formatting, and basic HTML/CSS for web publishing.

• Knowledge of digital communication tools and multimedia production, including graphic design software (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite or equivalent), social media content creation, webinar and virtual event platforms (Zoom, Microsoft Teams), and the production of digital publications and visual communication materials.

Language and level required
Excellent written and spoken English (and/or Spanish); working knowledge of Spanish (or English). Working knowledge of French or Portuguese would be an asset.

Remuneration (Band level Range) and expected duration of contract

Band/range: A / $215 daily rate

Expected duration: 5 months, with the possibility of extension subject to funding availability

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.