The PAHO Internship Program - Promoting Future Leaders in Public Health - PAHO/WHO

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) recognizes the importance of a new generation of public health leaders who have a clear understanding of global health issues, the role international organizations play in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as well as addressing critical health needs.

In this regard, the PAHO Internship Program aims to provide a great experience to dedicated and passionate individuals entering the field of public health who are interested in gaining some hands on experience for a maximum of six months in the leading health agency in the Americas.

PAHO interns are matched both in-person and virtually with appropriate technical or administrative programs based on their area of studies, professional interests, and skills. Placement opportunities are available at PAHO Headquarters in Washington, D.C., PAHO Country Offices in the Americas including the Caribbean, as well as the Pan American Centers in Brazil and Uruguay.

The Purpose of an Internship

To provide a structural framework to match interns from diverse academic backgrounds with a PAHO technical or administrative program in which their educational experience will be enhanced through practical assignments;
To expose interns to the work and goals of PAHO and increase their knowledge and understanding of PAHO’s mission;
To provide PAHO programs with invaluable input from interns’ various perspectives and specializations. Most interns are placed in health-related programs, although other disciplines can be considered such as communications, external relations, or human resources.

General Information

Duration

Internships range from a minimum of eight weeks to a maximum of six months with a minimum of 20 hours per week.

Requirements

An intern is an individual who meets the following criteria:

Is at least twenty years of age on the date of application;
Is in the last year of a bachelor’s degree, is enrolled in a master's or doctoral program, or has graduated within the last two years from a bachelor's, master’s, or doctoral program;
Is fluent in at least one of the working languages of the office of assignment (English, French, Portuguese, or Spanish);
Is not related to a staff member by blood or marriage;
Has not previously participated in PAHO’s internship program;
Has strong writing, research, and organizational skills to support technical cooperation efforts; and
Can work independently and demonstrate initiative and flexibility to effectively benefit from an internship at PAHO

Visa

When required, a visa must be obtained by the intern prior to initiating travel to the country/place of work. It is the intern’s responsibility to apply for and obtain the appropriate visa prior to departure. PAHO may assist if there is a PAHO office in the country of departure.

For questions regarding other types of visas, please contact the Internship Coordinator at interns@paho.org.

Interns in Washington, D.C.

The intern must also meet the following criteria:

Be a U.S. Citizen, or a U.S. Legal Permanent Resident;
Have a valid visa with an Employment Authorization from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), or be sponsored by PAHO with a G-4 visa;
Be a Foreign Student in F-1 Nonimmigrant Status Participating in Curricular Practical Training that provides a valid Optional Practical Training (OPT) or Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or, be a Foreign Student in F-1 Nonimmigrant Status with the correct endorsement in the I-20 by the university.

Interns who will be working at the PAHO HQ in Washington, D.C. must be lawfully present and able to participate as interns pursuant to U.S. State Department and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services rules and regulations.

Applicants interested in interning at PAHO HQ in Washington, D.C. who are not already lawfully present in the United States in an immigration status which permits the intern to participate must apply for and be granted a G-4 visa prior to beginning their internship. Human Resources Management will provide a letter to the intern for use in applying for a G-4 visa. PAHO will not sponsor a G-4 visa for the dependents of interns.

Application Process and Schedule

Application process

When applying candidates are invited to express interest in two specific areas of work and two locations in the Americas. All applications should be made through the PAHO Career platform. Find the vacancy announcement for PAHO Internships.

Application schedule

The vacancy notices are opened each year for six months at a time:

From February to June; and
From August to December.

Prospective interns may apply at any time when the vacancy notice is open, and all applications are made available to technical units and country offices for review. A PAHO technical unit may contact you at any time regarding an internship, therefore, the period of time for the application review is indeterminate. If you do not hear from a PAHO technical unit during the first year, you are welcome to reapply, if you still meet the eligibility requirements. You will not be informed of the status of your application and if you do not hear from a PAHO technical unit within 12 months after the closing date of the vacancy, you may reapply to be considered again.

If selected for a PAHO internship, you will be asked to provide proof of educational accomplishments. Do not send these or other documents until specifically asked to do so.

Important Reminders

PAHO does NOT charge for internships, therefore, beware of any programs that "facilitate" your obtaining an internship by requiring payment. If you are selected for an internship and are searching for living accommodations in Washington, D.C., beware of scams. It is recommended that you do not make advance payments or provide deposits prior to your arrival.

Stipend

PAHO provides a stipend. The stipend is calculated based on the intern’s location and whether the intern is serving on a full or part-time basis. The stipend will not be sufficient to cover all costs of the internship (i.e., travel, living accommodations) and this cost difference is the responsibility of the intern or their sponsoring institution or government.

Be aware that living in the Americas region and Washington, D.C. can be expensive, therefore finding living accommodations can be challenging. Past interns have financed their internships through scholarships programs or grants. Please note, however, that PAHO is not able to sign any agreements, proposed or required, by a sponsor, university, or equivalent institution.

Additional Information

Insurance

PAHO will provide, at no cost to the intern, accident, and illness insurance coverage during the internship assignment.

The following stipulations should be noted regarding insurance coverage: PAHO accepts no responsibility or liability for costs arising from damages, travel, accident and/or illness incurred during an internship.

Future Employment at PAHO

Following completion of an internship with PAHO, an intern may not be hired under any staff or non-staff contractual arrangement with PAHO for a period of six months. Any subsequent employment with PAHO after the six-month period shall be subject to established recruitment and selection procedures.

Apply