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 - Intern
Job Posting:
June 9, 2026
Closing Date:
June 28, 2026, 11:59 PM Eastern Time
Primary Location:
Washington, D.C.
Organization:
OMB Office of the Ombudsman
Schedule:
Part time
PURPOSE OF INTERNSHIP
OBJECTIVES OF THE INTERNSHIP PROGRAMME
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is the specialized international health agency for the Americas. It works with countries throughout the region to improve and protect people's health.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:
OBJECTIVES OF THE INTERNSHIP PROGRAMME
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is the specialized international health agency for the Americas. It works with countries throughout the region to improve and protect people's health.
The PAHO internship program has three objectives:
a) to provide a framework for assigning students from diverse academic backgrounds to PAHO programs, where educational experience can be enhanced through practical work assignments;
b) to expose students to the work of PAHO and
c) to provide PAHO programs with the assistance of students specializing in various fields. Most students are placed in health-related programs, although placements in other area of work like for example communication, external relations, finance or human resources are also possible.
DESCRIPTION OF THE ASSIGNMENT
Under the supervision of the Ombudsman the intern will:
- Support the development of internal communications and intranet site for the Ombudsperson and services at PAHO and other WHO regional ombuds offices.
- Assist in content creation, research, and the design of engaging learning materials.
- Support the preparation of surveys, compile data collected, collecting feedback, and analyzing data to help improve training effectiveness.
- "> ">undefinedThis role is ideal for someone interested in multilateral, public health, organizational culture, learning design, and workplace well-being. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONSEducationAre in the final academic year of a bachelor's degree or enrolled in a master's or a doctoral program or have graduated within the last two years from a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral program. Core competencies· Team work· Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences· CommunicationAll interns should be able to demonstrate the following skills in line with the WHO core competencies:Communicating effectively orally and in writing Showing willingness to learn from mistakes Producing and delivering quality results Working collaboratively with team memberExperienceDepending on the area of interest, the experience below may be needed and/or would be an advantage.Experience in research and/or in drafting reports Experience in the subject area through academic work or research Field and/or developing country experience Experience with data analysis, statistical packages and interest in the design of graphical display and analysis of health information in an international comparative perspective, such as for health system performance assessment More specific experience such as specialized computer programsIn addition, interns need to be familiar with commonly used computer programs, such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint. Knowledge of specialized computer programs, for example, statistical software such as XLStat may be an advantage.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- Please note that internships at PAHO are very competitive and only a small number of applicants will be accepted every year. Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
- PAHO Interns will receive a stipend (living allowance). Living abroad is expensive and finding accommodation can be challenging. All intern candidates should be aware of these factors before they consider applying for a PAHO Internship.
- Interns will be responsible for applying, obtaining, and financing the necessary visas – if needed.
- All interns will be covered by insurance for medical expenses, death, and permanent disability for the duration of their internship assignment at PAHO’s expense.
- Interns are not eligible for appointment to any position in PAHO for a period of six months following the end of the internship.
- If selected for a PAHO Internship, you will be required to provide certified copies of proof of enrollment in a course of studies, transcript of university course work/records of current studies, supporting letter from a professor,
- Interviews are usually used as a form of screening.
- All applications for PAHO Internships are made available to technical units for review. The period of time for this review is indeterminate.
- We strongly recommend that candidates also upload a motivation letter in their application.
- PAHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
- PAHO/WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
- 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 wrongdoing will be terminated and may also face criminal prosecution.
- Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.
