International PAHO Consultant - Communications Specialist

Background:

Currently, Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) in the Americas region faces multiple challenges in different components of the program, including vaccination coverage, which has led to outbreaks of measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases in some countries in the region. It is therefore important to have a good communication strategy that complements other activities, with up-to-date, tailored, and relevant communication materials to respond to the different affected populations. At PAHO, we work with countries to create communication content tailored to the countries of the region, both digital and print, for campaigns such as Vaccination Week (VW) and World Polio Day, among others. In addition, CIM has several websites with up-to-date information on different vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) for health workers and the general public. These websites share technical information, vaccination recommendations, webinars, publications, etc., on immunization. Communication is a strategy that helps maintain and improve confidence in immunization programs and vaccines. CIM also offer technical online capacitation in risk communication and community engagement strategies through PAHO's Virtual Campus.

Responsibilities:

Under the general supervision of the Executive Manager of the Special program Comprehensive Immunization (CIM), the incumbent is responsible for, but not limited to, the following assigned duties:

• Under the framework of the Immunization Agenda 2030 (IA2030), make the adaptation of the PAHO Virtual Campus Course “Building trust and responding to vaccine misinformation. Online course for health workers” to Spanish speakers' countries via the following:

• Introduction module empowering health workers and emphasizing their importance in communicating about vaccines.

• Module on responding to vaccine hesitancy and increasing demand: Drawing on the Behavioral and Social Drivers of Immunization (BeSD) Framework, how health workers can increase vaccine demand and vaccination by addressing components withing the domains of thinking and feeling, social processes, motivation, and practical issues.

• Module on vaccine misinformation: Where it comes from, tactics used in its development, how to spot it, the role of health workers in fighting it and improving media and digital literacy, and the importance of collaboration with other partners in clinical and community settings.

• Module on AI: How health workers can employ AI tools and what they should keep in mind when using them for communicating about vaccines and vaccination.

• The incumbent will develop technical materials in collaboration with the relevant partners within the Organization, and work with the assigned third-party provider for the programming of the course to meet the requirements put forth by the PAHO Virtual Campus. This includes review of the scripts, the quizzes, the design, the voiceovers, and any other technical management as requested by the third party.

• General support to the CIM Communications Specialist on the topic of vaccine misinformation, vaccination-related RCCE, and behavioral and social drivers of vaccination (BeSD).

Connection to IA2030:

This course supports IA2030 strategic priority #2 (commitment and demand) and its core principles, specifically:

• People centered: Helping immunization services respond to vaccine misinformation as a potential barrier to wanting to access services and improving health worker capacity to face issues of vaccine hesitancy among peers, patients and community members.

• Country owned: Improving capacity at the national level to respond to the problem of vaccine misinformation and increasing vaccine demand.

• Partnership based: Providing guidance on how to collaborate with partners in the education sector.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• Partnership based: Providing guidance on how to collaborate with partners in the education sector.

Experience:

• 7 to 9 years of experience. Partnership based: Providing guidance on how to collaborate with partners in the education sector.

Languages:

• Essential: Fluency in Spanish or English, with working knowledge of the other language.

• Desired: Working knowledge of French or Portuguese.

• IT skills:

• Desired: Working knowledge of French or Portuguese.

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  LOCATION: The consultant will work from his/her place of residence. If necessary, she/he may travel to missions within the Region.

   

  DURATION: From 1st July 2026 to 15 February 2027

   

  POSITION: The rate applied to this consultancy is rate B with a daily rate of $314

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.