PAHO Consultant - "Laboratory Systems"

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, 2026

Closing Date:

October 7, 2026, 11:59 PM Suriname Time

Primary Location:

Paramaribo, Suriname

Organization:

SUR Suriname

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).

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:

1. Purpose of the consultancy

The purpose of this consultancy is to support the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Labour of Suriname and the Central Laboratory of the Bureau of Public Health (BOG) to establish a comprehensive and evidence-based understanding of the current status, functional level and capacity of laboratories within the national public laboratory network and, on this basis, develop a prioritized and costed plan for their improvement. The consultancy will undertake standardized facility-level assessments using the WHO Laboratory Assessment Tool (LAT), Annex 2: Facility Questionnaire, adapted and supplemented as necessary to the Suriname context.

The assessment will determine, for each laboratory:

1. its current role and functional level within the laboratory network;

2. the diagnostic services and tests currently available;

3. the status and adequacy of infrastructure and utilities;

4. the equipment available, including its functionality, utilization, maintenance and calibration status;

5. the availability, number, qualifications and competencies of human resources;

6. the status of laboratory quality-management systems;

7. biosafety and biosecurity capacity;

8. specimen collection, handling, referral and transport arrangements;

9. data-management and laboratory information-system capacity;

10. availability and management of reagents and consumables;

11. operational, technical and resource gaps affecting laboratory performance; and

12. the improvements and investments required for the laboratory to perform its expected role.

The principal final product of the consultancy will be a prioritized and costed two-year National Laboratory Improvement Plan, supported by individual laboratory assessments, laboratory profiles, equipment and human-resource inventories, diagnostic-capacity mapping and clear identification of the gap between the current and expected functional level of each laboratory.

2. Background

Under the PAHO Suriname concept note Integrated Assessment of the National Laboratory System and Key Public Laboratory Facilities in Suriname, a PAHO assessment team conducted an in-country mission from 10 to 13 August 2026, with a stakeholder debriefing on 14 August 2026. The assessment resulted in a roadmap comprising four Phase 1 recommendations: modernization of the legal notification framework; appointment of a National Laboratory Network Coordinator within the Central Laboratory leadership, supported by an interim financing arrangement; development, allocation and stakeholder costing of a national essential diagnostics list based on the fourth edition of the WHO Model List of Essential In Vitro Diagnostics and complemented by a national chemical testing capability list; and engagement of dedicated laboratory consultant(s), which this Terms of Reference is intended to operationalize. The assessment identified important existing diagnostic capacities, as well as structural, institutional and operational gaps affecting the effectiveness and sustainability of the national laboratory network. While the mission provided a valuable system-level overview, it did not include comprehensive, standardized facility-level assessments using the WHO Laboratory Assessment Tool. This consultancy will address that gap by undertaking detailed assessments of the relevant laboratory facilities and using the findings to inform the development of a prioritized and costed laboratory improvement plan.

A detailed facility assessment is therefore required to establish a reliable national baseline describing what laboratory capacity currently exists, where it exists, whether it is functional, whether it is adequately staffed and equipped, and what investments and system improvements are required.

The WHO Laboratory Assessment Tool provides a standardized framework covering laboratory identification, organization and management, documentation, specimen collection and transport, data and information management, consumables and reagents, equipment, laboratory testing performance, facilities, human resources, bio risk management, public-health functions and gap analysis.

The Tool will therefore serve as the principal facility-assessment instrument for this consultancy. However, because the objective of the assignment is also to determine functional laboratory levels and translate findings into concrete investment and improvement requirements, the WHO LAT will be supplemented by standardized Suriname-specific assessment matrices described in these Terms of Reference.The consultancy contributes to the implementation of the recommendations arising from the August 2026 laboratory-system assessment and will provide evidence for subsequent national laboratory planning, financing and system strengthening.

3. Work to be performed and deliverables

3.1. Overall approach

The consultant will undertake a structured process of:

The consultant will undertake a structured process of:

Inventory → Assessment → Classification → Gap analysis → Prioritization → Costing → Improvement planning

All laboratories included in the agreed scope will be assessed using a common methodology to ensure comparability. The assessment will combine:

• review of existing documentation;

• interviews with laboratory managers and staff;

• direct observation;

• physical verification of equipment and infrastructure;

• review of test menus and workload data;

• review of human resource information;

• completion of the WHO Laboratory Assessment Tool;

• review of relevant laboratory records;

• verification of selected findings; and

• consultation with relevant national stakeholders.

Recommendations shall be based on documented assessment findings.

3.2 Laboratories and facilities to be assessed

The assessment will cover the relevant public actors of the national laboratory network, including:

• the Central Laboratory of the Bureau of Public Health;

• the Academic Hospital Paramaribo laboratory;

• other public hospital laboratories;

• relevant laboratory facilities and services within the Regional Health Service/RGD network;

• relevant laboratory facilities and services within the Medische Zending/MZ network;

• facilities not assessed during the August 2026 mission; and

• other public laboratory facilities agreed between the MOHWL and PAHO/WHO during the inception phase.

Where a facility does not operate a full laboratory but provides specimen collection, point-of-care testing, specimen storage or referral functions, these functions should be assessed according to their role in the national laboratory network. The final list of laboratories and facilities shall be agreed during the inception phase.

3.3. Core assessment instrument: WHO Laboratory assessment tool and standardized supplementary modules

The WHO Laboratory Assessment Tool (LAT), Annex 2: Facility Questionnaire, shall serve as the principal standardized instrument for assessing each laboratory, with all relevant sections completed according to the facility’s role and level. To ensure that the assessment generates the additional evidence required for functional classification, gap analysis and investment planning, the WHO LAT shall be complemented by four standardized supplementary modules (details in Annex 3) developed and applied by the consultant.

3.4. Key activities

• Review the August 2026 assessment report, concept note and relevant national documentation.

• Consult the Ministry of Health, BOG, PAHO/WHO and participating institutions.

• Agree on the final laboratory/facility list.

• Review and adapt the WHO LAT Facility Questionnaire for application in Suriname without altering its core assessment domains.

• Develop the four supplementary modules required under these Terms of Reference.

• Pilot the combined assessment package in an agreed laboratory and make any necessary adjustments before wider application.

• Conduct on-site assessments of all agreed laboratories.

• Verify major infrastructure and equipment findings through direct observation.

• Complete the detailed equipment inventory.

• Identify functional, underutilized, non-functional, obsolete and missing equipment.

• Assess maintenance, calibration and equipment-support arrangements.

• Assess the tests and diagnostic services performed at each laboratory.

• Document testing volumes where available.

• Assess whether existing testing capacity is functional and sustainable.

• Assess staffing numbers, qualifications, competencies and gaps.

• Identify recruitment and training needs.

• Assess quality-management systems and quality-assurance arrangements.

• Assess biosafety and biosecurity.

• Assess specimen collection, handling and referral arrangements.

• Assess laboratory information and data-management systems.

• Assess reagent and consumable availability and management.

• Determine the current functional level of each laboratory.

• Agree with national counterparts on the expected or target role of each laboratory.

• Compare current capacity with expected capacity.

• Identify and prioritize gaps.

• Identify opportunities to optimize existing infrastructure, equipment and human resources.

• Develop cost estimates for priority improvements.

• Prepare the National Laboratory Improvement Plan.

• Facilitate an inception meeting, interim review and final national validation session.

• Provide written progress reports

• Transfer assessment methodologies, databases and tools to designated national counterparts.

3.5. Deliverables

The consultant will work under the following results-based structure. Payment percentages are indicative and subject to applicable PAHO contracting rules.

0. An inception report: The deliverable shall include:

1. validated workplan;

2. final list of laboratories/facilities;

3. stakeholder map;

4. detailed assessment schedule;

5. agreed WHO LAT components;

6. adapted data-collection instruments (Annex 3: supplementary modules);

7. data-collection methodology;

8. Detailed Equipment Inventory template;

9. HR Capacity and Gap Matrix;

10. Diagnostic Capacity and Functional-Level Matrix;

11. Laboratory Improvement Plan template;

12. proposed functional-level classification criteria;

13. field-visit schedule;

14. data-management plan;

Indicative Timeline: Weeks 1 to 2

Payment Indicative: 10% (The deliverable shall be considered complete when PAHO/WHO have agreed on the facility list, assessment methodology, tools, classification approach, workplan and field schedule.

Payment
I. Completed facility assessments and national laboratory inventory: The deliverable shall include:

1. a completed WHO LAT Facility Questionnaire for each laboratory including the supplementary modules;

2. an individual laboratory profile for each facility;

3. a consolidated national laboratory inventory;

4. a detailed electronic equipment inventory for each facility and consolidated nationally;

5. an HR inventory and HR gap matrix;

6. an inventory of current laboratory tests and diagnostic services;

7. available workload/testing volume information; and

8. documentation of important infrastructure and operational constraints.

Indicative Timeline: Months 1 tot 3

Payment (Indicative): 25% (The deliverable will be accepted when all agreed facilities have been assessed; all relevant LAT sections have been completed; major findings have been verified; required inventory datasets have been submitted; and all databases and assessment files have been provided in editable format)

2. Laboratory functional-level classification and comprehensive gap analysis: The deliverable shall include:

1. current functional level;

2. designated or expected level;

3. target level;

4. diagnostic capacity;

5. infrastructure status;

6. equipment status;

7. HR capacity;

8. quality-management status;

9. biosafety status;

10. information-management capacity;

11. specimen-referral capacity;

12. reagent and consumable availability;

13. major operational constraints;

14. gaps preventing the laboratory from performing its expected role; and

15. priority actions required.

The consultant shall prepare an individual Laboratory Scorecard for each facility. Each scorecard shall allow rapid interpretation of the laboratory’s status by decision-makers. The consultant shall also prepare a national consolidated matrix showing all assessed laboratories side by side.

Indicative Timeline: Months 1 to 3

Payment (Indicative): 35% (This deliverable will be accepted when each assessed laboratory has a documented current functional status, a defined expected/target status, an evidence-based gap analysis, a completed laboratory scorecard and clearly identified priority improvement needs)

3. Draft costed two-year National Laboratory improvement Plan: The deliverable shall include:

1. infrastructure rehabilitation or adaptation;

2. equipment repair;

3. equipment replacement;

4. new priority equipment;

5. redistribution or improved utilization of existing equipment;

6. equipment maintenance and calibration;

7. recruitment of laboratory personnel;

8. staff training and competency development;

9. quality-management strengthening;

10. external quality assessment;

11. biosafety and biosecurity;

12. laboratory information systems;

13. specimen referral;

14. reagents and consumables;

15. operational improvements; and

16. other identified priorities.

The plan shall distinguish between:

• urgent actions that can restore existing capacity;

• actions that optimize existing resources;

• investments required to close critical gaps; and

• longer-term system-development needs.

Indicative timeline: Months 3 to 4

Payment (Indicative): 20% (The plan shall demonstrate clear traceability between assessment finding, gap, required intervention, priority, cost, responsible entity, timeframe)

4. Final consolidated report and handover: The final package shall include:

1. executive summary;

2. methodology;

3. national laboratory-system overview;

4. completed WHO LAT assessments including supplementary modules;

5. individual laboratory profiles;

6. individual laboratory scorecards;

7. national laboratory inventory;

8. detailed equipment inventory;

9. HR capacity and gap analysis;

10. Diagnostic capacity matrix;

11. laboratory functional level classification;

12. national gap analysis;

13. costed two-year National Laboratory improvement Plan;

14. prioritized national investment requirements;

15. recommendations for monitoring implementation;

16. PowerPoint presentation of key results;

17. all assessment databases and editable worksheets; and

18. skills-transfer summary.

Indicative timeline: Month 4

Payment (Indicative): 10% (All final tools, databases, tables, worksheets and reports shall be submitted in editable electronic format)

4. Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational qualifications

Essential: An advanced university degree (master's level or above) in medical laboratory science, biomedical science, microbiology, public health or a related field.

Desirable: Doctoral-level qualification; formal training in laboratory quality management systems (ISO 15189) or laboratory assessment/auditing, specialized training in laboratory systems strengthening.

Experience

Essential: At least five years of professional experience in strengthening national laboratory systems, including the performing of national laboratory system assessments using the WHO Laboratory Assessment Tool or an equivalent instrument.

The consultant should also have demonstrated experience in several of the following:

• laboratory equipment assessment;

• equipment lifecycle and maintenance planning;

• laboratory diagnostic-capacity assessment;

• laboratory human-resource assessment;

• laboratory quality-management systems;

• facility and infrastructure assessment;

• national laboratory-network planning;

• laboratory gap analysis;

• development of laboratory improvement plans;

• laboratory costing or budgeting; and

• preparation of technical assessment reports.

Desirable: Experience and working knowledge of the following in the Caribbean; 1) specimen referral and transport systems, 2) national adaptation of In Vitro Diagnostics, 3) costing laboratory services and preparing investment cases, 4) blood services and transfusion-medicine logistics, and 5) prior work with WHO, PAHO or other United Nations agencies

Skills and knowledge

• Working knowledge of the WHO Laboratory Assessment Tool, IHR (2005) laboratory core capacity (SPAR/VEE C4) and ISO 15189.

• Laboratory service costing, budgeting and procurement analysis, including verification of supplier quotations.

• Strong facilitation and stakeholder-engagement skills across government, public, private and faith-based providers.

• Demonstrated capacity to write clear, precise technical reports, budgets and terms of reference in English.

• Commitment to skills transfer and to working through, rather than around, national counterparts.

Competencies

• Teamwork: works constructively with national counterparts, PAHO staff and network stakeholders.

• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences and strong recognition of local context.

• Communication: presents complex technical material clearly to ministerial, clinical and community audiences.

• Producing results: delivers complete, accepted outputs within a fixed and compressed timeframe.

• Moving forward in a changing environment: adjusting methods without losing scope when field conditions change.

Languages

Essential: Expert knowledge of English (written and spoken).

Working knowledge of Dutch is an asset.

5. Place of assignment

On site: Paramaribo, Suriname (based at the PAHO/WHO country office), with regular presence at the Central Laboratory (BOG). Limited off-site work may be agreed for report drafting.

6. Travel

In-country travel is required, including to regional hospital laboratories (Nieuw-Nickerie, Wageningen, Lelydorp, Albina, Atjoni) and to selected interior facilities of the Medische Zending, which may involve travel by road, boat and light aircraft. All travel is arranged in accordance with PAHO travel policy; the consultant must be fit to travel and hold the vaccinations required for the duty station and the interior.

7. Duration

Four months, full time, with an expected start in October 2026. The duration is fixed by the available funding window.

8. Supervision and reporting

First-level supervision: Advisor, PHE designated technical officer by the PAHO/WHO Representative, Suriname .

9. Remuneration

Remuneration at the level of PAHO/WHO consultant pay band B, in accordance with PAHO consultant policy, paid against accepted deliverables per the schedule in Section 3. Travel and per diem in accordance with PAHO policy. Ticket and per diem will be paid separately by the PAHO/WHO Suriname Country Office.

The total costs of this contract are USD 20.640,=

10. Additional Information

• The incumbent will be required to do the mandatory training after being selected for the consultancy.
• The incumbent will be required to use his/her own IT equipment (includ. laptop).
• To use PAHO Applications on personal phones will have to download the INTUNE Company portal app.

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.