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:
April 21, 2026
Closing Date:
May 6, 2026, 11:59 PM Eastern Time
Primary Location:
Off Site
Organization:
LEG Office of the Legal Counsel
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).
• The Office of the Legal Counsel (LEG) supports the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) by addressing a broad range of legal, administrative, and institutional matters arising from the Organization’s operations at the regional, subregional, and country levels. These matters require timely, high‑quality legal research, drafting, and advisory support across multiple areas of law, including administrative law, contracts, procurement, technical cooperation agreements, and institutional governance.
To meet fluctuating operational demands, LEG is establishing a roster of qualified Legal Consultants who may be hired on a temporary basis, as needed. These Terms of Reference combine core functions typically associated with P2‑ and P3‑level legal posts, allowing the Organization to engage consultants capable of handling complex legal drafting and analysis while working under the technical guidance and supervision of senior legal staff.
This vacancy notice is issued for the purpose of establishing a roster of qualified Legal Consultants. Placement on the roster does not guarantee employment or work. Selected candidates may be contracted on a temporary basis, subject to identified needs and availability of funds, and if applicable prior satisfactory performance.
• The purpose of this consultancy is to provide legal research, drafting, and advisory support to LEG in connection with administrative, contractual, and institutional legal matters. The Legal Consultant will contribute to ensuring that the Organization’s activities, agreements, and procedures comply with PAHO’s legal and regulatory framework.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:
Under the technical guidance and supervision of Senior Legal Advisors in the Office of the Legal Counsel, the Legal Consultant may be required to perform one or more of the following functions, depending on the nature of the assignment:
Legal Advisory and Research Support
- Prepare draft legal opinions and advisory notes for review by the supervisor.
- Conduct legal research and analysis of national and international legal instruments and jurisprudence.
- Translate complex legal issues into practical draft recommendations.
Contracts, Agreements, and Institutional Instruments
- Conduct due diligence and risk assessments on proposed engagements with non-State actors.
- Draft and review legal memoranda, contracts for goods and services, and consultancy agreements.
- Perform preliminary legal review of project proposals and agreements.
- Draft and review technical cooperation agreements.
Administrative and Procedural Legal Support
- Provide legal support to PAHO administrative entities and Country Offices.
- Assist in developing templates, guidelines, and procedures.
- Assist with draft briefs in work-related disputes before PAHO’s Board of Appeal and the ILO Administrative Tribunal.
Reporting and Knowledge Products
- Prepare briefing notes, reports, and background documentation.
- Provide regular status updates.
Deliverables (Assignment-Based)
Deliverables will depend on the nature and duration of each assignment and may include legal opinions, contracts, due diligence notes, research reports, briefing materials, and summary reports.
Qualifications requirements of the consultant
Education: University degree in law (required); advanced studies desirable.
Languages: Very good knowledge of English or Spanish with working knowledge of the other. Knowledge of French and/or Portuguese is an asset.
Years of relevant experience: Minimum seven (7) years (P3) and five (5) years(P2) of relevant legal experience; international organization experience is an asset.
Contractual Information (Indicative)
Type of Contract: International Consultant
Duty Station: Washington, D.C. or Remote
Duration: Varies by assignment
Level of Effort: Full-time
Pay Rate: Varies by assignment
Minimum: US$ 4,300
Maximum: US$ 5,160
Reporting and Supervision
The Consultant will work under the technical guidance and supervision of Legal Advisors in LEG.
Performance Evaluation
Performance will be evaluated based on the quality, accuracy, and timeliness of deliverables and adherence to institutional procedures.
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.
