Hybrid PAHO Consultant -Development of a Toolkit on Institutional Change for Strengthening PHC and Integrated Health Service Delivery at PAHO

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:

July 11, 2025

Closing Date:

July 24, 2025, 11:59 PM Eastern Time

Primary Location:

Off Site

Organization:

HSS Health Systems and Services

Schedule:

Full time

PURPOSE OF CONSULTANCY

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:

Background

The primary objective of the Department of Health Systems and Services is to strengthen health systems based on Primary Health Care, support the transformation of national health systems to improve equity and resilience, strengthen Primary Health Care (PHC), and address the relevant issues related to human resources as health systems move towards the achievement of Universal Health. Its work encompasses the following areas: integrated services delivery, strengthening of health systems governance and stewardship; developing efficient and equitable financial mechanisms to ensure adequate public funding of the health system; human resources for health, healthy life course; the Virtual Campus of Public Health, and Maternal, Neonatal and Reproductive Health.

  Unit Background

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), through its Health Systems and Services/Primary Health (HSS/PH) Unit, is leading the development of a coherent and integrated toolkit to assess and strengthen Primary Health Care (PHC) and integrated health service delivery in the Region of the Americas. This initiative supports Member States in evaluating and transforming their health systems in ways that are adaptable, resilient, and equitable.

As part of this broader effort, PAHO is developing a toolkit focused specifically on institutional change in PHC-oriented health systems, which will complement existing modules focused on policy assessment, inter-organizational coordination, and service-level integration. This toolkit will emphasize qualitative methods to assess institutional change at three levels of the health system:

• Macro level – policy and governance frameworks
• Meso level – inter-organizational arrangements and collaborations
• Micro level – clinical practices, provider behavior, and frontline coordination

This work will draw on institutional theory, examining how change is shaped by the interaction between formal regulations, social norms, and cultural-cognitive elements, as well as the influence of broader social, political, and economic forces.

The objective of this consultancy is to develop a qualitative assessment toolkit that enables health systems to evaluate and understand institutional change processes at the macro, meso, and micro levels in PHC and integrated service delivery.

Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Technical Officer for PHC Policy, Planning and Evaluation, and under the general supervision of the Unit Chief of Primary Health Care, the consultant is expected to deliver the following activities and outputs:

Literature and Framework Review

• Conduct a targeted literature review on institutional change in health systems and PHC.
• Synthesize theoretical and empirical approaches that consider regulation, norms, and cognitive-cultural mechanisms.
• Review PAHO, WHO, and other global tools relevant to health system change and governance.

Toolkit Design

• Develop a flexible, qualitative methodology that allows for adaptation across different country contexts and health system levels.
• Design data collection instruments (e.g., key informant interview guides, focus group discussion guides, narrative mapping templates).
• Include analytic frameworks to help identify enablers, barriers, and contradictions in institutional change processes.

Alignment and Integration

• Ensure coherence with the broader PHC toolkit components (maturity models, quantitative assessments, policy modules).
• Align concepts and terminology with PAHO’s strategic and operational frameworks.

Stakeholder Engagement and Validation

• Identify opportunities to pilot or consult with Member States or technical units.
• Incorporate feedback and revise instruments accordingly.

Guidance and Capacity Development

• Draft a user manual and technical guidance for implementing the toolkit.
• Propose elements of a capacity-building strategy for Member States to support institutional transformation using the toolkit.

Specific activities, expected deliverables and payments

Inception report.

Product 1: Workplan, methodology, and mapping of existing tools.

Due Date: September 15, 2025.

Amount: $7,000.00

Payment 1: $7,000.00 - 1 October 2025 (for product 1)

Draft Performance Toolkit.

Product 2: Instruments covering all core performance dimensions with alignment matrix to existing tools.

Amount: $9,046.00

Due Date: November 30, 2025.

Final Toolkit Package.

Product 3: Revised toolkit, conceptual framework, user guide, and implementation notes. Due Date: December 15, 2025.

Amount: $9,046.00

Payment 2: $18,092, 22 December 2025 (for products 2 and 3)

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in tool or framework development for health system assessment or monitoring and evaluation.
• Familiarity with PAHO/WHO methodologies on PHC, integrated service delivery, and health systems strengthening.
• Capable of being proactive when the situation requires.
• Advanced knowledge in the use of Excel and other data analytical tools, as well as Power Point, and Word.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure in a diverse, team-oriented environment.
• Experience working in multicultural environments.

Professional experience:

Required: Minimum of 10 years of professional experience in PHC systems, health service delivery, or performance measurement.

Desired: Experience in developing patient- and provider-oriented assessment instruments. Knowledge of WHO/PAHO frameworks and initiatives on integrated care and PHC performance measurement. Experience working with ministries of health or regional networks.

Education:

Required: Master’s degree or higher in public health, health systems, health services research, or a related field.

Desired: Postgraduate degree in public health or health services management, or any other field related to functions.

Languages:

Required: Fluent in written and spoken Spanish or English

Desired: Bilingual in English and Spanish or Portuguese.

Duration: September 1 to December 31, 2025 (renewable based on performance and funds available)

IPC Band: Band B

Professional Level: P

Time Type: Full time, 40 hrs./week

Total Contract Remuneration: $25,092 USD

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.