The Research Promotion and Development Department at the Pan American Health Organization recognizes the importance of developing a new generation of public health leaders who will contribute to the department’s mission. In this regard, a few internship opportunities are available in the department every fall, spring, and summer for young and energetic individuals entering the public health field. Although there is no monetary compensation for these internships, interns will gain valuable work experience as part of an international team that promotes research for health in the Americas and will have the opportunity to utilize and hone their Spanish language skills.

Link to the Tiempo Latino article on internships at PAHO (Dec 2006).

 Luise Stüwe on her internship in Research

Meet the Research Promotion and Development Interns

Other internship opportunities at PAHO ...

Eligibility Requirements

• Enrolled in a program as a junior or senior undergraduate, graduate, or post graduate, with a concentration in a field relevant to PAHO’s work (i.e. Public Health, International Affairs, Latin American studies, or a related health or social science area).
• Strong writing, research, and organizational skills to support technical cooperation efforts. Prior research experience is a plus.
• Ability to work independently and demonstrate initiative and flexibility.
• Fluent in English with working knowledge of Spanish. Proficiency or fluency in the other languages of the Region (Portuguese & French) is an asset.
• Proof of health insurance coverage.
• Proof of U.S. citizenship or visa if you are not a U.S. citizen. Interns interested in interning at the PAHO Headquarters in WashingtonD.C. who are not US citizens must apply for a B1 visa – a “Visitor for Business Visa”. A B1 visa allows one to participate in an unpaid internship.
• Must not have any relatives or active staff working (consultants included) at PAHO (HQ, country offices, or Centers). Under the Staff regulations relatives are defined as:
  • Subject to Staff Rule 110.7.3 : The term “immediate family member” means the spouse, children, and siblings of the staff member and the children, parents and siblings of the staff member’s spouse.
  • Persons closely related by blood or by marriage to a staff member shall not normally be appointed if another equally qualified person is available. Persons closely related by blood or marriage include an immediate family member, as defined in Rule 110.7.3, and grandparents, grandchildren, uncles, aunts, nieces, and nephews, as well as any step-relatives, of the staff member or his or her spouse – Staff Rule 410.3.1

Duration

• Summer: internships are typically full time (30–35 hours/week) and last 10–12 weeks
• Fall/Spring: internships are either full– or part– time with a minimum of 20 hours/week

Current Internship Opportunities

COMMUNICATIONS INTERNSHIP

8-12 weeks - 30 to 35 hours per week

We seek an intern to contribute to the Research Program’s communications strategy including transforming the research site ( www.paho.org/researchportal) into a useful and dynamic portal, adding videos and making it more of a WEB 2.0 type. As a communications intern you would be working on the following projects:

• Work in the design and implementation of the communications strategy by:

a) Writing case studies that illustrate the value of research

b) Contributing to the Research Bulletin

c) Participating in research events by crafting the agenda and organizing the Research Interest brown bag lunch

• Update the website by: writing and reviewing copy for the web, uploading text, images, videos, podcasts.

• Develop methods for obtaining systematical feedback on the PAHO Research Portal.

• Other duties as assigned

PUBLIC HEALTH RESEARCH INTERNSHIP

Duration 8-12 weeks - 30 to 35 hours per week

We seek an intern to contribute to strengthening the lines of communications for global health research. As a research intern you would be working on the following projects:

• Trial Registration: including the advancementof initiatives to facilitate adherence to the International Clinical Trial Register Platform of the World Health Organization, improving standards and adherence to good practices, addressing legal aspects of research for health.

• Knowledge Translation (evidence to policy & practice) especially through:

• Evidence Informed Policy Network, a knowledgetranslation initiative aimed at strengthening national health research systems and the capacities to inform policies with scientific evidence in a systematic way

• Enhancement of PAHO’s Guideline Development process, for our technical cooperation documents to be developed through processes to ensure these are systematically informed by the best evidence

• Knowledge dissemination: take an active role in enhancing the dissemination of scientific information and sharing ideas to improve and enhance our communications tools and capacity building activities

• Supporting activities related to the emergingJustice Health Network and the involvement of WHO/PAHO and other international organizations with regards to these activities

• Research Policy Development: Participating in data collection and mapping, and preparation of the Health Research Web that provides essential data about national health research systems in the Americas. Working towards the implementation of PAHO’s Policy on Research for Health (all documentation available in our website, we suggest you get well acquainted with PAHO’s Policy on Research for Health and our website). Assessing the interplay between law and health care.

• PAHOs Ethics Review Committee and its networking with other ethics review committees (applicants may need experienceand understanding of research ethics). Supporting capacity building for networks and ethics review committees in the Americas.

How to Apply

To apply to one or both of these internships, please submit electronically a cover letter (stating which internship(s) you would like to apply for, your dates of availability, and why you think you would be a good candidate) and a copy of your resume to:

Eleana C Villanueva

Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)
Research Promotion and Development area
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Tel: (202)974-3084
www.paho.org/researchportal 

This page: http://bit.ly/PAHO_Interns