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: February 24, 2026 Closing Date: March 21, 2026, 11:59 PM Suriname Time Primary Location: Paramaribo, Suriname 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. Background Suriname, like many countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, is facing dynamic shifts in its health sector landscape due to demographic changes, the epidemiological transition, climate-related vulnerabilities, and health system transformation. These changes are creating new demands for a responsive, equitable, and resilient health workforce. The COVID-19 pandemic further exposed structural weaknesses and emphasized the urgent need to build stronger, more adaptable health systems capable of addressing both routine and emergent health challenges. Human Resources for Health (HRH) remains a critical pillar in achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3. Suriname is currently operating with an up-to-date HRH policy framework that does not fully address the complex realities of health service delivery today including workforce distribution, migration, retention, training, and capacity development. In response, the Ministry of Health of Suriname, with technical cooperation from the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), seeks to develop a new, comprehensive Human Resources for Health Policy and a plan of action for the period 20262030. This policy will align with the country’s health sector transformation goals, the CARICOM Regional Strategic Framework, and global best practices such as PAHOs “Policy on the Health Workforce 2030” and the WHOs “Global Strategy on Human Resources for Health: Workforce 2030.” 2. Objective 1. To develop a comprehensive Human Resources for Health Policy for Suriname for the period 20262030. 2. To assess the current status, gaps, and priorities within the national health workforce. 3. To propose strategic directions, policy options, and implementation mechanisms that strengthen HRH governance, production, deployment, and retention. 4. Develop a Plan of Action to support implementation. 5. To integrate principles of equity, gender-responsiveness, climate resilience, and health system sustainability into HRH policy planning. 6. Create mechanisms to monitor, evaluate, and adjust the HRH Plan over the specified period 3. Scope of Work The development of the HRH policy and plan of action is imperative to support the country’s health sector goals. To ensure the success of this plan, the following key points should be considered: Evidence-based Approach: Insights gathered from various sources, including recent pandemics and assessment of Essential Public Health Functions (EPHF) capacity, should inform the development of the HRH policy and plan. This ensures that the plan is responsive to current and emerging health challenges, thereby enhancing its relevance and effectiveness. It is essential to take into account the technical documents published by the WHO and PAHO. These documents include PAHO “Policy on the Health Workforce 2030: Strengthening Human Resources for Health to Achieve Resilient Health Systems,” the “Global Strategy on Human Resources for Health: Workforce 2030″ and the Global strategic directions for nursing and midwifery 2021-2025” Capacity Building: The policy and plan should include provisions for capacity building initiatives aimed at strengthening the skills and competencies of the healthcare workforce, particularly in areas identified as priorities through the gap analysis of EPHF capacity. The consultancy will consist of the following tasks: Document Review
• Review national health plans, workforce reports, strategic frameworks, and existing HRH-related documents.
• Review regional and international HRH guidance (e.g., WHO, PAHO, CARICOM). Stakeholder Engagement
• Conduct interviews, consultations, and workshops with key stakeholders including government, healthcare providers, professional councils, training institutions, labor unions, civil society, and development partners. HRH Situation Analysis
• Analyze workforce composition, distribution, skills mix, and migration trends.
• Evaluate education and training pipelines and regulatory frameworks.
• Assess labor market dynamics and projections for health workforce needs. SWOT and Gap Analysis
• Conduct a SWOT analysis to identify internal and external factors impacting HRH development.
• Highlight key policy and implementation gaps. Policy Development
• Draft a comprehensive HRH Policy with vision, guiding principles, policy objectives, and strategic directions.
• Drafting of a plan of action to strengthen HRH in Suriname
• Outline governance, financing, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation frameworks. Validation and Finalization
• Present draft policy to stakeholders for feedback and validation.
• Revise and finalize policy based on validation input. 4. Deliverables and timelines: Note: All deliverables must be submitted in English and in editable digital formats. Key Deliverables: Due Date %
• Inception Report 2 weeks after signing of contract 10% including methodology, timeline, and stakeholder engagement plan.
• HRH Situation Analysis 6 weeks after signing of the contract 20% Report summarizing findings from data review and consultations.
• Draft HRH Policy and Plan 12 weeks after signing of contract 30% of Action 20262030 with clear strategic objectives, action areas, and implementation framework.
• Final HRH Policy 16 weeks after the signing of the contract 40% Document incorporating stakeholder validation and technical revisions. 5.Duration of the Consultancy The contract duration is expected to be 4 months from signing. 6.Responsibilities Service Contractor
• Conduct all assessments, facilitate stakeholder processes, and develop draft and final policy documents.
• Coordinate closely with the Ministry of Health and PAHO. Ministry of Health, Suriname
• Provide access to data, relevant contacts, and facilitate coordination with stakeholders. PAHO/WHO
• Provide technical guidance, review drafts, and support quality assurance. 7. Qualifications and Experience Education
• Masters degree in public health, health policy, human resources for health, or related field. Experience
• Minimum 7 years experience in HRH policy development, health system planning, or health workforce research.
• Familiarity with Caribbean health systems and international HRH frameworks.
• Experience in multi-stakeholder consultation and participatory policy development. Skills
• Strong analytical, facilitation, and writing skills.
• Proficiency in English (Dutch and/or Sranan Tongo an asset).
• Ability to produce formatted, publication-ready documents. 8. Ownership All products and other materials resulting from this contract is the property of PAHO and subject to the rules and regulations governing copyrights. The Service Contractor(s) may not use the completed products without the explicit written consent of PAHO. The service contractor shall treat all information obtained during the consultancy as confidential and shall not disclose it to any third party without prior consent. 9. Reporting The consultant will report directly to the Advisor, Health Systems and Services at the PAHO/WHO Country Office in Suriname, with regular coordination and engagement with the HRH Coordinator in the Ministry of Health. Total Contract amount: USD 27,632,= 10. Additional Information The incumbent will be required to do the mandatory training after…