[Hiring] PAHO Consultant - Heat-Health @Pan American Health Organization

Role Description

The overall objective of this consultancy is to strengthen national and regional capacities to anticipate, prepare for, and respond to heat-related health risks by supporting the development, implementation, and evaluation of heat health interventions, and by leveraging the PAHO/WHO Heat Health Hub as a regional platform for evidence, coordination, capacity strengthening, and technical cooperation.

Under the direct supervision of the Regional Advisor, Climate Change and Health, the consultant will undertake the following:

• Support the design, refinement, and operationalization of Heat Health Early Warning Systems (HHEWS), including thresholds, triggers, and communication protocols.
• Provide technical inputs for the development, updating, and implementation of Heat Health Action Plans (HHAPs) in selected Member States.
• Support the analysis of meteorological, epidemiological, and environmental data to inform risk thresholds and response actions in Member States.
• Support Member States in adapting and applying Heat Health Hub resources for national and subnational implementation.
• Support development of monitoring and evaluation (M&E) frameworks for heat health interventions.
• Facilitate coordination between PAHO, Ministries of Health, National Meteorological Services, and other partners.
• Support development of training materials and e-learning modules on heat health.
• Organize and support technical meetings, workshops, and capacity building activities (virtual and in person) in collaboration with the Hub.
• Contribute to regional knowledge exchange platforms and communities of practice.
• Coordinate and facilitate regional knowledge-exchange activities through the Heat Health Hub, including webinars, peer-learning sessions, and communities of practice.
• Develop case studies, implementation notes, and lessons learned for publication on the Heat Health Hub.
• Promote use of the Heat Health Hub as a regional platform for multisectoral engagement.

Deliverables & Payment

• 30 July 2026: A report including - a workplan; an overview of national/subnational heat-health risks; analysis of populations in situations of vulnerability and exposure pathways; review of existing policies, surveillance systems, and institutional capacities; assessment of meteorological–health data availability and gaps; support provided to the heat-health hub; participation in meetings with PAHO staff, countries, partners, etc.
• 22 September 2026: A report including – a summary of current HHEWS status in the countries/region; Recommended thresholds, triggers, and alert levels; Communication protocols and risk messaging templates; Alignment with PAHO guidance and Heat Health Hub resources; engagement activities with the Heat Health hub; participation in meetings with PAHO staff, countries, partners, etc.
• 16 November 2026: A report including - the components of a draft Heat health action plan (HHAP) for at least 3 countries, including governance structure and coordination mechanisms; heat-health risk assessment findings; Surveillance and monitoring recommendations; Communication and community engagement strategies; Linkages to Heat Health Hub; participation in meetings with PAHO staff, countries, partners, etc.
• 16 November 2026: A mid-year progress report including – a summary of activities completed in the first six months; Progress against workplan milestones; Country-level technical cooperation delivered; Heat Health Hub contributions (content, webinars, case studies); Challenges encountered and mitigation measures; Updated priorities for the second half of the consultancy; Annexes (meeting notes, training materials, Hub analytics); participation in meetings with PAHO staff, countries, partners, etc.
• 25 January 2027: A report including - Description of the heat-health interventions or processes implemented in selected countries; Key achievements and enabling factors; challenges, barriers, and mitigation strategies; Evidence of impact or early results; Lessons learned applicable to other LAC countries; Recommendations for scaling up or adaptation; participation in meetings with PAHO staff, countries, partners, etc.
• 30 March 2027: Final consultancy report including - overview of consultancy objectives and scope of work; Summary of technical cooperation provided to Member States; Contributions to the Heat Health Hub (content, coordination, etc); Key achievements across HHAPs, HHEWS, training, and knowledge products; Analysis of regional trends and emerging needs in heat-health; Recommendations for PAHO’s future work and strategic positioning (in alignment with the Hub); Annexes (full list of deliverables, tools developed, Hub engagement summary); publication on state of heat-health; participation in meetings with PAHO staff, countries, partners, etc.
• 14 May 2027: Final consultancy report including - overview of consultancy objectives and scope of work; Summary of technical cooperation provided to Member States; Contributions to the Heat Health Hub (content, coordination, etc); Key achievements across HHAPs, HHEWS, training, and knowledge products; Analysis of regional trends and emerging needs in heat-health; Recommendations for PAHO’s future work and strategic positioning (in alignment with the Hub); Annexes (full list of deliverables, tools developed, Hub engagement summary); publication on state of heat-health; participation in meetings with PAHO staff, countries, partners, etc.

Qualifications

• Language: Fluent/working knowledge of English and Spanish required.

Requirements

• Remuneration: $37,680
• Band Range: Band B
• Expected Duration: 1 June 2026 - 31 May 2027
• 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.
• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
• All applicants are required to complete an online profile to be considered for this consultancy.
• A written test may be used as a form of screening.
• 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.
• 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.
• Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.