Director of Communications

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is an international public healthagency working to improve health and living standards of the people of theAmericas. It was founded in December 1902 and is part of the United Nationssystem, serving as the Regional Office for the Americas of the World Health Organization, and as the health organization of the Inter-American System.

PAHO is committed to ensuring that all people have access to the health care they need, when they need it, with quality and without fear of falling into poverty. Through its work, PAHO promotes and supports the right of everyone to good health. To advance these goals, PAHO promotes technical cooperation between countries and works in partnership with ministries of health and other government agencies, civil society organizations, other international agencies, universities, social security agencies, community groups, and other partners.

The Director of Communications is responsible for leading PAHO’s Communication strategy and functions, and managing the Organization’s Communications Department. As Director of the Department, she/he provides technical leadership, policy guidance, strategic advice and support to PAHO Communications Officers in the region, and brokers seamless collaborative relationships and communication approaches between HQ, country offices and WHO, and with other national and international organizations.  The incumbent will help advance initiatives to strengthen the PAHO reputation and brand and positioning the Organization as the authoritative source of public health knowledge, standards and technical cooperation in the Americas.  The Director provides strategic advice to senior management and technical staff on using communication effectively to support policy advocacy, technical and scientific cooperation, partnerships and resource mobilization. He/she acts as liaison across the Organization in matters related to corporate communications. The incumbent defines and proposes levels and allocations of resources required to meet the Organization's responsibilities in the area under delegation.  Provides overall operational and logistical input to coordinate the work of Communications in close consultation and coordination with the Deputy Director and Director.

Professional experience and qualifications required for this position include:

• Thirteen years of combined national and international more progressively responsible experience designing, planning, implementing and evaluating a variety of communication campaigns.
• Ideally brings experience developing and leading policy advocacy and social marketing campaigns related to public health or international development in Latin America and the Caribbean region; demonstrated experience supporting social policy advocacy, social marketing and fund-raising strategies highly desirable. 
• Expertise in audience analysis; writing and editing for several audiences in various styles, in multiple languages.

• Ability to lead and mentor cross-functional communication teams to ensure brand coherence and positioning; ability to provide advice and guidance on communication standards and strategy to medical and public health professionals.
• Demonstrated ability to provide professional leadership to strategic, organizational, managerial and analytic work; resourcefulness, initiative, highly developed judgment and interpersonal skills to deal with difficult situations, sensitive issues, establish and maintain effective working relations with people of different professional levels, discipline, nationalities, and cultural background.
• Very good knowledge of English or Spanish with a working knowledge of the other language.  In addition, proficient knowledge of Portuguese or French is a plus.

Education:

A Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, social science or related field and a Master’s degree in marketing, communication or a related field from a recognized institution.

For detailed information and to apply please send your resume and cover letter to pahodircomm@kornferry.com. 

PAHO offers an internationally competitive compensation package, including dependency benefits, pension plan, health insurance scheme, and 30 days annual leave.  Benefits for internationally recruited staff may include travel and removal expenses on appointment and separation, assignment grant, rental subsidy, and home leave.

PAHO/WHO is committed to workforce diversity.