PAHO Internships

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:

August 1, 2026

Closing Date:

December 31, 2026, 11:59 PM Eastern Time

Primary Location:

Washington, D.C.

Organization:

HRM Human Resources Management

Schedule:

Full time

PURPOSE OF INTERNSHIP

INTRODUCTION

You are applying to the PAHO generic internship roster which is published twice a year and can be done in person or virtually. The roster will be made available to all PAHO offices from where direct contact will be made with suitable candidates only. In completing your profile, you will be able to choose up to 2 different work areas of interest.

OBJECTIVES OF THE 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.

PAHO wears two institutional hats: it is the specialized health agency of the Inter-American System and also serves as Regional Office for the Americas of the World Health Organization (WHO), the specialized health agency of the United Nations. PAHO offers internships in our country - and regional offices, as well as at headquarters.

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 DUTIES:

Under the supervision of a technical expert in the respective area, interns are assigned a project based on agreed terms of references and in line with their skills set. These terms of references typically include some or all of the following responsibilities:

• review literature and conduct literature surveys
• undertake web research and data collection on specific subject area organize data and documents
• participate in the development of tools and guidelines
• assist in drafting, formatting and editing policy briefs, tool kits, guides/manuals, hand-outs, brochures and reports
• assist in organizing workshops, meetings, conferences, events
• participate in on-going departmental projects

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Are 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.

Skills

Core competencies

• Team work
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural difference
• Communication

All 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 member

In 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.

Experience

Depending on the area of interest, the below experience 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 programs

Languages

Fluency in one of PAHO's working languages (reading, writing and speaking). PAHO official languages: English, Spanish, Portuguese and French. Knowledge of the local language in some duty stations can be an asset.

Age

Interns should be at least twenty years of age on the date of application.

Additional requirements:

• are not related to a staff member as defined in Staff Rule 410.3 (i.e., spouse, children, parents, and siblings of the staff member or the children, parents, and siblings of the staff member’s spouse)
• are not related to an individual who works for a national government or local authority (e.g. children or sibling of Ministry of Health personnel)
• have not previously participated in PAHO's internship program.

Please note that internships at PAHO are very competitive and only a small number of applicants will be accepted every year. Only successful candidates will be contacted.

If selected for a PAHO Internship, you will be required to provide certified copies of proof of enrolment in a course of studies and a medical certificate of fitness for work.

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.