PAHO Consultant - Software Engineer

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 7, 2025

Closing Date:

July 14, 2025, 11:59 PM Eastern Time

Primary Location:

Off Site

Organization:

HIM Health Emergencies Information and Risk Assessment

Schedule:

Full time

PURPOSE OF CONSULTANCY

Objectives of the Department
The objective of the Health Emergencies Department (PHE) of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) is to increase health sector resilience to emergencies and disasters. PHE assists Member States to strengthen the health sector's capacities in prevention, risk reduction, preparedness, surveillance, response, and early recovery for emergencies and disasters related to any hazards (natural, man-made, biological, chemical, radiological and others) and, when national capacities are overwhelmed, to lead and coordinate the international health response to contain disasters, including outbreaks, and to provide effective relief and recovery to affected populations. PHE is responsible for ensuring the implementation and updating of the PAHO/WHO Institutional Emergency and Disaster Response Policy.

Organizational Context
The incumbent will serve as a Technical Analyst in Software Development within the Data Management, Analytics, and Products team of the Health Emergency Information Management and Risk Assessment (HIM) Unit. Under the broader framework of the PROTECT (Pandemic Response Optimization Through Engaged Communities and Territories) project, the consultant will provide technical expertise in the design, development, and maintenance of digital tools to support health emergency preparedness and response.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:

Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the Head of the HIM Unit and the direct supervision of the Advisor, Data Management, Analytics, and Products, the contractor will produce the following deliverables:

Deliverable 1:  Document with technical and functional requirements, and produce a scope document for the mobile and web application to be implemented within the PROTECT project, establishing user roles, functional goals, and integration needs.

Deliverable 2: Document with design user interface (UI) wireframes and user experience (UX) flows for mobile and web platforms, and develop the application architecture, ensuring alignment with the needs and workflows of the PROTECT project.

Deliverable 3:  Document containing the description of AWS infrastructure administration activities performed specifically to support the PROTECT project, including the maintenance and monitoring of EC2 instances, S3 buckets, Route 53 DNS configurations, and automated backup routines. It also covers routine updates, security checks, DNS adjustments, and implementation of improvements such as new EC2 deployments, S3 lifecycle policies, and staging environment setup. This document reflects ongoing support efforts and recent enhancements to ensure stability, performance, and security of the cloud environment. Timeframe of months 1 ,2 and 3 of contract.

Deliverable 4: Document or source-code with RESTful API services and backend components for seamless interaction between the mobile/web applications and the centralized server, including integration of external APIs and data sources relevant to the PROTECT implementation.

Deliverable 5: Document or source-code with the core Android application functionalities, including user interface, geolocation, camera integration, and user authentication features, ensuring compatibility with the data collection and community reporting objectives of the PROTECT project.

Deliverable 6:  Document containing the description of AWS infrastructure administration activities performed specifically to support the PROTECT project, including the maintenance and monitoring of EC2 instances, S3 buckets, Route 53 DNS configurations, and automated backup routines. It also covers routine updates, security checks, DNS adjustments, and implementation of improvements such as new EC2 deployments, S3 lifecycle policies, and staging environment setup. This document reflects ongoing support efforts and recent enhancements to ensure stability, performance, and security of the cloud environment.

Timeframe of months: through 31 December 2025, with possibility of extension based on availability of funding.

Education requirements (Qualifications)

Essential: A bachelor's degree in computer engineering or related field.

Experience requirements

Essential: At least 9 years of professional experience in software development, with a proven track record across multiple software projects, especially in the tech mentioned above. Proven experience with web/app development (backend and frontend), dashboards (e.g., Shiny, Plotly Dash), and data pipelines. Experience with cloud services (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP) full setup and maintenance, version control (Git), and APIs. Senior proficiency in Python, JavaScript, DBMS (e.g., MySQL, Oracle and MariaDB), stored procedures, JavaScript frameworks (e.g., Angular, Next.JS). Java or Kotlin.

Desirable: Experience in or sound knowledge of PAHO and WHO processes for epidemic alert and response. Knowledge of statistical methods. Familiarity with machine learning integration. Android or iOS development.

Languages

Essential: Very good knowledge of English and/or Spanish with working knowledge of the other language.

Desirable: Knowledge of Portuguese would be an asset.

Location:

The incumbent will be expected to perform this position's duties and responsibilities remotely.

Expected contract duration: From the date of contract signature through 31 December 2025, with the possibility of extension based on performance and availability of funding. This consultancy is expected to entail a full-time commitment.

Remuneration: Each deliverable will be paid upon receipt of the corresponding product under Band B level daily rate (USD 258 - USD 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.