JOB DESCRIPTION

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:

September 29, 2025

Closing Date:

October 6, 2025, 11:59 PM Eastern Time

Primary Location:

Off Site

Organization:

SUR Suriname

Schedule:

Part 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).
• Provide a short description of the objective of the office/department here.
• Provide a description of the purpose of the consultancy here.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:

1. Purpose of the Service Contract

Under this service contract, the consultant is expected to revise and update the National Guidelines for Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI), ensuring they reflect the latest WHO recommendations, national policies and standard operating procedures. The revised guidelines will encompass clinical management of priority STIs (syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, trichomoniasis, genital herpes, and HPV), screening, diagnostic and treatment algorithms, and follow-up.

2. Background

Suriname has made progress in improving sexual and reproductive health services, yet STI prevention and treatment remain areas of concern. Currently, STIs such as syphilis are on the rise in Suriname. Inconsistencies in clinical management, outdated treatment protocols, and limited integration of prevention services present challenges to effective STI control and treatment.

Updating the national guidelines is critical to:

· Ensure consistency with WHO-recommended treatment regimens

· Improve access to patient-centered, evidence-based STI services across the health system.

This service contract will support the Ministry of Health in developing comprehensive, inclusive, and contextually relevant national STI guidelines, which will address the priority STIs in Suriname, ensuring technical accuracy and practical applicability.

3. Objectives of the Service Contract

The specific objectives are to:

· Review existing national STI guidelines and identify gaps.

· In alignment with WHO 2021 and subsequent recommendations, update case management protocols, algorithms for common STIs (including syndromic management, treatment of co-infections and complications) and partner notification.

· Update laboratory diagnosis algorithm.

· Design differentiated service delivery models at PHC level adapted to the Surinamese context.

4. Scope of Work

The consultant, engaged under a service contract, will work under the supervision of PAHO/WHO and in close coordination with the Ministry of Health. Key activities include:

a. Situation analysis and desk review:

· Review existing STI guidelines and service delivery approaches.

· Identify gaps in prevention and treatment access.

· Review available national STIs data to identify the burden and trends of diseases.

· Review the WHO recommendations for the priority STIs clinical guidelines.

· Review the generic protocol for the Caribbean which includes updated WHO recommendations.

b. Stakeholder engagement:

· Conduct consultations with HIV/STI clinicians, dermatologists, the National AIDS/STI Program (NAP), Bureau of Public Health (BoG), laboratory experts, and civil society organizations including PLHIV networks.

· Facilitate one technical meeting to review the draft STI guidelines and provide feedback and obtain consensus on content.

c. Drafting and validation:

Prepare a draft of revised STI Guidelines, including screening, treatment, follow-up and special consideration based on the STIs. Standard operating procedure to be followed at the clinics, referrals and partner notification should be adequately detailed in the protocol.

· Present the draft in a national consultation workshop for stakeholder feedback and validation.

· Based on the feedback, update the STI protocol with all the comments received from stakeholders.

5. Deliverables

1. Situational analysis and gap assessment report (Max 3-5 pages).

2. Draft National STI Guidelines (50-60 pages excluding annexes), including:

• Screening for the STI
• Treatment and clinical management (syndromic or etiological)
• Follow-up
• Special consideration
• Referral pathways
• Partner notification

3. Final draft protocol with all feedback received from Ministry of Health and other stakeholders.

6. Duration and Timeline
The service contract will cover 35 working days, to be completed by 30 November 2025, following the indicative timeline:
– Week 1: Desk review including gap analysis, and stakeholders list (5 working days)
– Week 2-4: stakeholder consultations (10 working days)
– Week 4–6: Drafting guidelines and validation workshop (15 working days)
– Week 7-8: Revision and final submission (5 working days)

Qualifications and Experience
The consultant should possess:
– Bachelor’s degree in medicine, public health, or infectious diseases (Master’s degree an asset).
– Minimum of 5 years’ experience in STI or sexual/reproductive health policy.
– Strong knowledge of WHO STI guidelines and service delivery approaches.
– Demonstrated experience in guideline development and capacity building.
– Proven ability to collaborate with multi-sectoral health stakeholders.

Additional information:

– This vacancy is open for all nationalities; it may require duty travel that will be covered separately by the Organization.

– This contract contemplates 30 working days at the rate of $172 per day, per diem and air tickets will be paid separately.

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.

Level of Education: Master”s Degree (preferred for health positions)

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: 24 (health sector experience preferred)

Health Focus: PAHO works to improve health outcomes across the Americas