Communication Internship (internal communication and public health)

BACKGROUND

The ability of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) to fulfill its mission and achieve the objectives of the current 2014– 2019 Strategic Plan relies heavily on using communication effectively to connect with and influence existing and diverse new audiences. PAHO is unique because it is the world’s original international public health organization, with more than a century of results and success stories to tell about improving health in the Americas and setting the example for other regions.

Good communication saves lives and improves health. It builds an organization’s value, legitimacy, and impact, and it is key to mobilizing resources. PAHO must use communication to do all of the above for the future in a crowded public health marketplace where countries’ needs are rapidly evolving, competition for resources is stiff, and agencies must demonstrate value and impact. 

Located within the Communications Department (CMU), the Internal Communication function supports the PAHO Director’s aim of ‘‘taking PAHO forward as a flexible, transparent and responsive Organization”. Key elements of its program area include promoting an environment inductive to staff engagement and development and implementing internal communication strategies. 

·        Contribute to the implementation of PAHO’s internal communication and staff engagement strategies.

·        Develop content for the PAHO Intranet through interviews with personnel from technical and administrative departments, and country offices, participation in meetings and analysis of documents and data;

·        Support the development of communication initiatives and campaigns.

·        Perform other related duties, as assigned.

·        Strong writing skills.

·        Strong interpersonal communication skills.

·        Fluent in English. Fluency/familiarity with Spanish a strong plus.

·        Enrollment in a graduate or in the senior year of the undergraduate program concentrating in a field relevant to this internship (chiefly communication or public health) or equivalent mid-career program.

·        Minimum of 20 years of age.

·        Strong knowledge of information technology. Skills with video and photo production and editing a plus.

·        Self-motivated, resourceful, team player.

COMPLIANCE WITH U.S. LAW

As an international public health agency, PAHO is not subject to U.S. law, including the FLSA. The Organization does have its own internal rules and regulations establishing worker protections.