PAHO Consultant - Foot-and-Mouth Disease Specialist - Regional Preparedness and Epidemiology

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:
outubro 6, 2026
Closing Date:
outubro 27, 2026, 11:59 PM Brasilia Standard Time
Primary Location:
Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
Organization:
AFT Centro Panamericano de Fiebre Aftosa (PANAFTOSA)
Schedule:
Full time
PURPOSE OF CONSULTANCY
1. OBJECTIVES AND SCOPE:
Objectives of the Department: The Pan American Center for Foot-and-Mouth Disease and Veterinary Public Health (PANAFTOSA/VPH), Department of Prevention, Control and Elimination of Communicable Diseases (CDE), provides technical cooperation to Member States to strengthen veterinary public health and support the implementation of the Hemispheric Program for the Eradication of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (PHEFA).
Within the framework of the PHEFA Action Plan 2026–2030, PANAFTOSA supports countries in strengthening veterinary services, surveillance systems, epidemiological intelligence, emergency preparedness and response, regional coordination mechanisms, and strategic initiatives such as the Regional Foot-and-Mouth Disease Vaccine Antigen Bank (BANVACO), contributing to maintaining the FMD-free status throughout the Americas.
Background: The countries of the Americas have achieved significant progress towards the eradication of Foot-and-Mouth Disease. Maintaining this status requires continuous strengthening of veterinary services, epidemiological surveillance, risk analysis, preparedness planning and rapid response capacity.
PANAFTOSA supports these efforts by promoting regional cooperation, technical innovation and capacity building through PHEFA, COSALFA, COHEFA and BANVACO. To advance these strategic priorities, PANAFTOSA seeks an experienced Foot-and-Mouth Disease Specialist capable of providing high-level technical cooperation to Member States.
Purpose of contract: To provide specialized technical support in Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD), with emphasis on veterinary epidemiology, surveillance, risk assessment, epidemiological modelling, emergency preparedness and emergency vaccination strategies, supporting the implementation of the PHEFA Action Plan 2026–2030 and strengthening regional technical cooperation with Member States.
Reporting Line: The consultant will work under the direct supervision of the Foot-and-Mouth Disease Advisor, PANAFTOSA/VPH, and in close collaboration with the Foot-and-Mouth Disease and Epidemiology team and other technical specialists supporting the implementation of the PHEFA Action Plan 2026–2030.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:
2. ACTIVITIES
Under the direct supervision of the Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) Advisor, the consultant will:
Provide technical support for qualitative and quantitative risk assessments related to Foot-and-Mouth Disease.
Develop and apply epidemiological and spatial models supporting surveillance, preparedness and emergency response.
Support Member States in strengthening risk-based surveillance and epidemiological intelligence.
Contribute to contingency planning, emergency preparedness, simulation exercises and emergency response strategies.
Provide technical support for emergency vaccination preparedness, including vaccination strategies, vaccine deployment scenarios and post-vaccination monitoring.
Provide specialized technical support to the Regional Foot-and-Mouth Disease Vaccine Antigen Bank (BANVACO), including technical analyses, strategic planning, technical documentation and support to governance activities.
Prepare technical documents, scientific reports, policy briefs, meeting reports and presentations supporting BANVACO, COSALFA, COHEFA and PHEFA.
Design and deliver regional and national training activities in epidemiology, surveillance, risk assessment, emergency preparedness and emergency vaccination.
Participate in technical missions, regional meetings and international cooperation activities.
3. REQUIREMENTS:
3.1 Education:
Essential: A bachelor’s degree in veterinary medicine and a master’s degree in veterinary science or public health.
Desirable: A PhD in preventive veterinary medicine would be an asset.
3.2 Professional experience:
Essential:
9 years of progressively responsible professional experience in an Official Veterinary Service.
Demonstrated experience in Foot-and-Mouth Disease prevention, surveillance or eradication program.
Demonstrated experience in veterinary epidemiology, surveillance and risk assessment.
Demonstrated experience in epidemiological modelling.
Experience in preparedness and response to transboundary animal diseases.
Experience preparing technical reports, scientific publications and technical guidance documents
Desirable:
Experience working with international organizations.
Experience providing technical cooperation to Member States.
Experience coordinating regional programmes.
3.3 Language:
Essential: Excellent knowledge of English or Spanish, with working knowledge of the other language.
Desirable: Working knowledge of Portuguese would be an asset.
4. TECHNICAL SKILLS, COMPETENCIES AND CORE AREAS OF EXPERTISE
4.1 Technical Skills and Knowledge:
Foot-and-Mouth Disease epidemiology;
Risk assessment;
Epidemiological modelling;
Risk-based surveillance;
Capacity Building;
Scientific writing, including development of technical guidance
4.2 Competencies:
Teamwork;
Respecting and Promoting Individual and Cultural Differences;
Communication;
Producing Results;
Technical Expertise;
Building and Maintaining Partnerships;
Knowledge Sharing;
Planning and Organizing;
Analytical Thinking.
4.3 Core Areas Of Expertise:
The consultant is expected to demonstrate expertise in:
Foot-and-Mouth Disease prevention, control and eradication;
Risk assessment and risk analysis;
Epidemiological and spatial modelling;
Emergency preparedness and response;
Emergency vaccination strategies;
Development and implementing of Training program;
Capacity building and technical cooperation;
Scientific writing and knowledge management.
5. LOCATION
Pan American Foot-and-Mouth Center for Disease and Veterinary Public Health (PANAFTOSA/VPH), Duque de Caxias, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil.
This consultancy is expected to entail a full-time commitment.
6. COMPENSATION:
The hired consultant will receive a total amount of USD 70,000.00 (seventy thousan