Senior Advisor, Initiative on Integrating NCDs into Primary Health Care

Grade:

P-5Step I - 103,165.00 USD56,328.09 USD

Contractual Agreement:

Staff - Professional Post

Job Posting:

October 28, 2026

Closing Date:

November 25, 2026, 11:59 PM Eastern Time

Primary Location:

Washington, D.C.

Organization:

NMH Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health

Schedule:

Full time

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:

Senior Advisor, Initiative on Integrating NCDs into Primary Health Care

Join us and lead efforts to accelerate the integration of noncommunicable diseases into primary health care across the Americas

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Regional Office for the Americas of the World Health Organization (WHO), is seeking an experienced, strategic, and results-oriented Senior Advisor, Initiative on Integrating NCDs into Primary Health Care to provide leadership for the implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and scale-up of PAHO’s Initiative on Accelerating the Integration of Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) into Primary Health Care.

Under the general supervision of the Assistant Director (AD) and the direct supervision of the Director, Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health (NMH), the selected candidate will:

• Lead and provide technical, policy, strategic, and programmatic guidance for the development, implementation, monitoring, and reporting of PAHO’s Initiative on Accelerating the Integration of NCDs into Primary Health Care.
• Support the development and coordination of strategies to integrate NCDs into primary health care at regional, subregional, and country levels, with particular attention to community outreach and equitable access to NCD services.
• Collaborate with technical experts, WHO, Member States, and external partners to develop and promote evidence-based guidelines, protocols, and clinical pathways for the prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, and management of NCDs.
• Strengthen the competencies and capacities of primary health care providers to deliver evidence-based NCD interventions.
• Support the strengthening of facility-based NCD data and monitoring systems and analyze evidence on NCD screening, diagnosis, treatment, and control in primary health care.
• Promote the visibility and strategic positioning of the Regional Initiative and communicate its progress, achievements, lessons learned, and results.
• Establish and strengthen strategic partnerships and support resource mobilization efforts to sustain and scale up implementation of the Initiative.
• Represent the Organization at national, regional, and international technical and policy meetings and promote inter-agency and multisectoral collaboration.

For a complete list of functions, please see the post description.

What is required for this position?

Education

Essential: A university degree in health science related to the functions of the post, and a master’s degree in public health or a related discipline from an accredited institution.

Experience

Essential: Thirteen years of combined national and international experience working in public health in noncommunicable diseases (NCD) and/or health systems and services.

Languages

Fluency in English or Spanish with a working knowledge of the other language. Knowledge of Portuguese and/or French would be an asset.

IT Skills

Demonstrated ability to effectively use current technology and software, spreadsheets and presentations, as well as Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and management information systems. Other IT skills and knowledge of software programs such as Microsoft Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams, SharePoint, and Word are considered essential. Ability to utilize data analysis programs such as EpiInfo would be desirable.

Competencies and Skills

For a complete list of competencies and skills, please refer to the post description.

The skills required are:

• Advanced knowledge and expertise in epidemiology, NCD prevention and control, primary health care, and health systems and services.
• Expertise in the design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of complex health programs at national and international levels.
• Ability to design, implement, and scale up evidence-based NCD interventions and integrated services at the primary health care level.
• Strong strategic leadership and ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and complex public health programs.
• Ability to translate evidence into policy and program action and manage complex and evolving health priorities.
• Strong partnership-building, negotiation, diplomatic, interpersonal, and consensus-building skills.
• Demonstrated ability to engage effectively with national authorities, civil society organizations, professional associations, academia, and other strategic partners.
• Strong resource mobilization skills.
• Strong organizational, planning, coordination, and problem-solving skills.
• Sound judgment and discretion in handling sensitive and confidential matters.

Duration of Contract

Post of limited duration. First year probationary period

DISCLAIMER 

• This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade and level. 

• All applicants are required to complete an on-line profile to be considered for this post. 

• Candidates will be contacted only if they are under serious consideration. 

• In the event that your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the official degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. PAHO, considers official higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in one of the following databases: 

                 

                - World Higher Education Database (WHED), list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

                   The list can be assessed through the link: http://whed.net/

                 

                - Council for Higher Education Accreditation chea.org

                

                 - College Navigator, found on the website of the National Centre for Educational Statistics, nces.gov to support the validation process. 

• Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to PAHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and e-Manual.

PAHO/WHO is committed to: 

• PAHO supports an environment of mutual respect and dignity for all applicants. All interested individuals who meet the requirements of this position are encouraged to apply.

• Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process. To do so, email us at: pahorecruitment@paho.org

• Maintaining high standards of integrity and accountability. People joining PAHO are required to maintain these standards both in their professional work and personal activities.

• Promoting 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 misconduct.  

• Providing a smoke-free environment. 

• Protecting the people in the communities we serve.  Therefore, we have zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse. People who commit serious wrongdoing will be terminated and may also face criminal prosecution.