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Director, Communicable Diseases Prevention, Control and Elimination (CDE)

Pan American Health Organization

Job Location:

Washington DC, WA - USA

Yearly Salary: USD 117953 - 117953

Posted: 29 September 2026 (3 days ago)

Application Deadline: 27 December 2026

Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Grade:

D-1

Salary - Annually:

Step I - 117953.00 USD

Post Adjustment - Annually:

64402.34 USD

Contractual Agreement:

Staff - Professional Post

Job Posting:

July 22 2026

Closing Date:

October:59 PM Eastern Time

Primary Location:

Washington D.C.

Organization:

CDE Communicable Diseases Prevention Control and Elimination

Schedule:

Full time

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:

Director Communicable Diseases Prevention Control and Elimination (CDE)

Join us and lead PAHOs efforts to eliminate communicable diseases across the Americas

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Regional Office for the Americas of the World Health Organization (WHO) is seeking a visionary strategic and results-oriented leader to serve as Director Communicable Diseases Prevention Control and Elimination (CDE).

The Communicable Diseases Prevention Control and Elimination (CDE) Department promotes coordinates and implements technical cooperation activities directed toward the surveillance prevention control elimination and/or reduction of communicable diseases and zoonosis throughout the Region of the Americas.

Under the general supervision of the Director and the direct supervision of the Assistant Director the selected candidate will:

Provide strategic technical policy and programmatic leadership for PAHOs work in communicable diseases zoonoses antimicrobial resistance infection prevention and control communicable disease risk factors and food safety.
Lead and coordinate the implementation of PAHOs Disease Elimination Initiative supporting Member States in eliminating more than 30 communicable diseases and related conditions in the Americas by 2030.
Promote research innovation and knowledge generation fostering the adoption of evidence-based policies and best practices among countries and partners.
Strengthen food safety systems and advance integrated One Health approaches to address zoonotic diseases antimicrobial resistance and foodborne disease threats.
Mobilize financial and technical resources and establish strategic partnerships with governments donors international organizations academic institutions civil society and other stakeholders to advance public health goals.
Represent the Department at the highest levels and provide authoritative technical and strategic advice to Member States regional bodies and partner institutions.
Provide overall leadership and management of the Department including strategic planning budget oversight performance management organizational development and effective use of financial and human resources.

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

What is required for this position

Education

A university degree in health or social science and a masters degree in public health epidemiology or any other field related to the functions of the post from a recognized institution.

Experience

Fifteen years of combined national and international experience in progressively challenging managerial positions in communicable diseases including the development and evaluation of policies and programs for prevention and control of communicable diseases and the application of epidemiological methods to disease surveillance and public health program planning and evaluation.

Languages

Fluency in English or Spanish with a working knowledge of the other language.

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 OneDrive PowerPoint Teams SharePoint and Word are considered essential.

Competencies and Skills

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

The skills required are:

Extensive expertise in public health and communicable diseases including epidemiology prevention surveillance and disease control.
Extensive leadership and management experience in complex public health programs and health systems.
Ability to provide strategic direction organizational leadership and policy guidance at the highest levels.
Strong resource mobilization fundraising and partnership development skills.
Demonstrated capacity to lead through persuasion consensus-building and collaboration.
Strong analytical strategic planning and performance monitoring capabilities.
Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills with diverse national and international partners.
Ability to manage sensitive issues with sound judgment diplomacy tact and discretion.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with individuals from diverse professional cultural and national backgrounds.
Strong financial management and organizational resource allocation skills.

Duration of Contract

Post of indefinite 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: Council for Higher Education Accreditation

- College Navigator found on the website of the National Centre for Educational Statistics 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:
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 we have zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse. People who commit serious wrongdoing will be terminated and may also face criminal prosecution.