PAHO Consultant - Immunization

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 - National PAHO Consultant

Job Posting:

October 16, 2026

Closing Date:

October 28, 2026, 11:59 PM Suriname Time

Primary Location:

Paramaribo, Suriname

Organization:

SUR Suriname

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).

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:

I. Background:

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is seeking a qualified professional in immunization and/or public health to serve as a National Consultant to support the Ministry of Health of Suriname in implementing two complementary immunization decision-support analyses: UNIVAC, a comprehensive vaccine impact and cost-effectiveness modelling tool, and HORI-ZON, a rapid prioritization and optimization tool.

 

UNIVAC and HORIZON are part of PAHO’s Evidence-informed Vaccine and Immunization Decision-making and Appraisal in the Americas (EVIDA) initiative, which supports countries in strengthening evidence-informed immunization policy and decision-making.

 

UNIVAC is an Excel-based model designed for detailed analyses of new vaccine introductions or changes to immunization strategies. HORIZON is an Excel-based tool that enables rapid comparison of immunization policy and strategy options based on their potential health and cost implications. Together, the tools can support comprehensive assessment of a priority policy question and broader prioritization of immunization options.

 

Suriname’s immediate policy interest is evaluating a potential change in its HPV vaccine product. The consultancy will therefore begin with a focused UNIVAC analysis of this question. The Ministry of Health and National Immunization Technical Advisory Group (NITAG) will con-firm the current product, proposed product, and comparator during development of the study protocol. A subsequent HORIZON analysis will support prioritization of immunization options, including options related to rotavirus and RSV vaccines.

 

The consultant will also use VISTA (Vaccine Immunization Summary Tables for Appraisal) to prepare a customized evidence-to-recommendation table for the HPV policy question. VISTA allows a NITAG working group to define policy options and appraisal criteria, compile relevant evidence, and assess the quality of that evidence. UNIVAC findings will contribute to the table alongside other relevant clinical, programmatic, and contextual evidence.

 

The consultancy will support the Ministry of Health and relevant national stakeholders in apply-ing these tools, interpreting findings, and strengthening national capacity for evidence-informed immunization decision-making.

 

II. Objectives:  

The overall objective of the consultancy is to provide technical and coordination support for a UNIVAC analysis of Suriname’s priority HPV policy question, followed by a HORIZON prioritization analysis and preparation of a VISTA evidence-to-recommendation table.

 

Specific objectives are to:

• Support implementation of the UNIVAC analysis first, followed by the HORIZON analysis, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, NITAG, national working group, and PAHO/EVIDA team.

• Support collection, compilation, validation, and documentation of the data and assumptions required for the analyses.
• Support interpretation and presentation of findings to relevant national stakeholders.
• Prepare the required technical reports and documentation and contribute to national capacity building for future evidence-informed immunization analyses.
• Support the national working group in selecting relevant appraisal criteria and compiling UNIVAC findings and other evidence in a VISTA table for NITAG review.

 

III. Accountability, collaboration and working conditions

The consultant will work on a full-time basis throughout the five-month consultancy, coordinating availability and working arrangements with the PAHO/WHO supervisor.

               

IV. Scope of work and responsibilities:  

The consultant will work under the supervision of the PAHO/WHO immunization Advisor, the technical guidance of the Technical Officer, New Vaccines Surveillance of CIM/HQ, and will work closely with the Ministry of Health, Welfare and labor, the designated national working group, the NITAG, relevant national institutions, and the PAHO/EVIDA team. The consultancy includes work in the following:

 

A. UNIVAC

The consultant will:

•Confirm the HPV policy question with national stakeholders, including the current and proposed vaccine products, strategies, comparators, target population, and analytical perspective.

•Review existing evidence and available desk analyses for Suriname with the PA-HO/EVIDA team to inform the study design and accelerate the analysis.

•Prepare the study protocol, analysis plan, and data collection and validation plan.

•Support establishment and coordination of the national working group.

•Participate in PAHO/EVIDA training on UNIVAC and support its application in Suriname.

•Identify, compile, clean, validate, and document the country-specific data required for the analysis.

•Adapt and complete the UNIVAC model in collaboration with the national working group and PAHO/EVIDA team.

•Document data sources, assumptions, parameters, and methodological decisions.

•Conduct sensitivity analyses and alternative scenarios, as appropriate.

•Present preliminary findings when sufficiently validated, and present final health and economic results, including uncertainties and limitations, to the Ministry of Health, NITAG, and other relevant stakeholders.

•Prepare the final UNIVAC analysis and technical report and maintain documentation to facilitate future updates or replication.

 

B. HORIZON

The consultant will:

•Agree with the Ministry of Health and NITAG on the immunization policy and strategy options to compare, taking account of the HPV analysis and national interest in rotavirus and RSV vaccines.

•Support establishment and coordination of the national working group and technical discussions.

•Prepare an analysis and data plan, reusing validated UNIVAC inputs and documented assumptions where appropriate.

•Collect, compile, clean, and validate any additional epidemiological, demographic, vaccine, programmatic, healthcare utilization, and cost data required for the analysis.

•Adapt and complete the HORIZON tool using country-specific data.

•Document data sources, assumptions, methodological decisions, and validation processes.

•Support interpretation of results and discussion with the Ministry of Health, NITAG, and other relevant stakeholders.

•Finalize the HORIZON analysis and technical report and support presentation of findings.

 

 C. VISTA

With guidance from the PAHO/EVIDA team and input from the national working group, the consultant will:

•Participate in relevant training on the evidence-to-recommendation process and use of VISTA.

•Define the HPV policy options to be displayed in the table and identify appraisal criteria relevant to Suriname.

•Populate the VISTA table with UNIVAC findings and other relevant clinical, programmatic, economic, equity, and contextual evidence, as available.

•Document evidence sources, gaps, uncertainties, and assessments of evidence quality using the approach agreed with the national working group.

•Present the completed table to the NITAG to support its appraisal of the HPV policy question.

 

D. CROSS-CUTTING RESPONSIBILITIES

The consultant will:

•Maintain regular coordination with the Ministry of Health, NITAG, and PAHO/EVIDA team.

•Coordinate data collection and communication with relevant national stakeholders.

•Support quality assurance and validation of model inputs and outputs.

•Document data sources, assumptions, methodological decisions, and limitations.

•Prepare technical reports, presentations, and other evidence products as required.

•Support knowledge transfer and national capacity building.

•Transfer the completed UNIVAC and HORIZON files, VISTA table, supporting data, and documentation to designated national counterparts.

 

V. Deliverables:

Deliverable 1: Inception Report and Work Plan (10%)

• Timing: Within 10 working days of contract signature

• A report setting out the proposed HPV policy question and comparators; working arrangements and key stakeholders; an assessment of available data and gaps; the approach to UNIVAC, HORIZON, and VISTA; and a five-month work plan that begins with UNIVAC.

Deliverable 2: UNIVAC Protocol, Data Plan, and Preliminary Model (25%)

• Timing: End of Month 1

• An agreed PICOT question and strategies; study protocol; data collection and validation plan; documented sources, parameters, and assumptions; and a preliminary UNIVAC model with initial results, subject to data availability and validation.

Deliverable 3: Final UNIVAC Analysis and Technical Report (30%)

• Timing: End of Month 3

• A completed and documented UNIVAC model and dataset; base-case and appropriate sensitivity or alternative scenario results; interpretation of health and economic out-comes, uncertainties, and limitations; a final technical report; and presentation of findings to the Ministry of Health and NITAG.

Deliverable 4: HORIZON Analysis and Technical Report (20%)

• Timing: End of Month 4

• An agreed comparison of immunization options; a completed and documented HORIZON tool; validated inputs, results, interpretation, and limitations; a technical report; and presentation of findings to national stakeholders.

 

Deliverable 5: VISTA Table and Final Handover Package (15%)

• Timing: End of Month 5

• A completed VISTA evidence-to-recommendation table for the HPV policy question, incorporating UNIVAC findings and other relevant evidence; documentation of selected criteria, evidence sources, quality assessments, gaps, and uncertainties; presentation to the NITAG; and final model files, supporting data, assumptions logs, presentation materials, and documentation of knowledge-transfer activities.

VI. Duration

The consultancy will last five (5) months on a full-time basis.  The consultant must be a citizen or legal resident of Suriname. The total contract amount will be US$ $13,230.00

VII. Education requirements (Qualifications):

• University degree in Medicine, Nursing, Economics, Statistics, Public Health, Epidemiology, or a related field.

• Postgraduate training in Public Health, Epidemiology, Health Economics, Biostatistics, or a related discipline is desirable.
• Please note that this vacancy is only for nationals of Suriname or with a valid working permit.

 

VII. Experience requirements

• At least three (3) years of professional experience in public health program design, implementation, monitoring, or evaluation.

• At least three (3) years of experience in immunization and/or vaccine-preventable diseases.

• Experience in epidemiological, demographic, economic, or health data analysis is desirable.

• Experience with health economic evaluation, cost-effectiveness analysis, or Excel-based modeling is desirable.

• Experience working with Ministries of Health, NITAGs, or other public health institutions is an advantage.

IX. Skills:

• Good understanding of immunization programs, vaccine policy, and relevant health data sources.

• Ability to assess data quality and critically review assumptions and analytical parameters.

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.

• Ability to organize, analyze, document, and communicate technical information clearly.

• Excellent writing, communication, and facilitation skills.

• Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks within deadlines.

 

X. Languages:

• Excellent written and spoken English.

• Knowledge of Dutch and/or Sranan Tongo is desirable.

XI. Location:

• Suriname

XII. Eligibility:  

• Citizen or legal resident of Suriname.

XIII. Other relevant information:

• The incumbent will be required to do the mandatory training after being selected for the consultancy.
• The incumbent will be required to use his/her own IT equipment (includ. laptop).
• To use PAHO Applications on personal phones will have to download the INTUNE Company portal app.

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.