"My vision for the future of the Pan American Health Organization is to make it the leading institution in supporting the countries of the Americas with the most innovative and efficient strategies to achieve #HealthForAll. Our workforce, at Headquarters and in our Country Offices, is our greatest strength in providing high-quality technical cooperation."
Application process
We are committed to building a lasting and meaningful partnership with our staff. Every application we receive is carefully reviewed to ensure a fair and thorough selection process.
When applying, please complete all sections and answer every question in full, as incomplete applications will not be considered.
If you encounter any technical issues during the submission process:
- For positions at PAHO contact us at pahorecruitment@paho.org for support.
- For positions at WHO contact us at globalservicedesk@who.int for support.
Protect yourself from fraud: PAHO/WHO does not charge fees at any stage of the recruitment process. If you receive a suspicious email or message claiming to be from PAHO or WHO, please verify its authenticity by contacting us at the addresses above.
We look forward to receiving your application and thank you for your interest in joining our team.
A proud and noble history
PAHO was founded in 1902 and is the world's oldest international public health agency working to improve the health and well-being of people in the Americas. Its mission is to provide technical cooperation and advice to its Member States and other partners in order to promote equity in health, combat disease and improve the quality of life of the peoples of the Americas.
Employment conditions
A career with PAHO/WHO promises the staff member a competitive pay and benefits package. Conditions of employment in the Organization conform to those established by the International Civil Service Commission for employment in the United Nations and its specialized agencies.
Benefits include 30 working days paid annual leave, comprehensive health insurance coverage and participation in the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF). The conditions of employment, while not governed by national laws, promote gender equality, flexible work schedules (for many positions) and a supportive work environment.
Recruitment at PAHO/WHO
To carry out its mission to strengthen national and local health systems, the Pan American Health Organization is continuously striving to enhance its human capital. The Organization invites applications from persons who meet not only the technical qualifications required for each position, but also have the ability to perform in a multicultural environment and share the Organization's values of excellence, integrity and teamwork.
PAHO/WHO makes special efforts to recruit qualified women into its professional ranks. Women are represented at all levels of the organization, from its Headquarters in Washington, D.C. to country offices and centers. The Organization also aims to achieve a broad representation of nationals from Member States and other countries. Selection of staff is made on a competitive basis with the objective of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity.
Requirements and qualifications
The nature of PAHO/WHO's work dictates a preference for candidates who are fluent in both in English and Spanish. Other official languages of the Organization are French and Portuguese. All professional positions require a university degree and, for more senior positions, a master's degree from an accredited college or university.
Support personnel need a high school diploma and, ideally, post-secondary training in a field of work relevant to the position. Vacancies for administrative/support positions in Washington, D.C. must be filled by local candidates, i.e. candidates residing within the Washington Metropolitan Area (Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia), and candidates who hold permanent residency or citizenship in the United States.
Internships
The Pan American Health Organization recognizes the importance of a new generation of public health leaders who have an understanding of global health issues and the role of international organizations in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and other health issues.
In this regard, the PAHO/WHO Internship and Practicum Program (IPP) aims to train young and energetic individuals entering the field of public health and who are interested in providing services to the Organization on a voluntary basis. PAHO interns/volunteers are matched with appropriate technical or administrative programs based on their personal interests and skills.
Placements opportunities include PAHO/WHO Headquarters in Washington DC, PAHO/WHO Country Offices, as well as the Pan American Centers in the North and South America or in the Caribbean region.
Learn more about our internship program...
PAHO is the premier public health organization of the Americas, leading the way in improving people's health and well being.
We are always looking for talented and motivated people and invite you to explore the many opportunities and benefits of joining PAHO/WHO.