Chief, Life Course, Women’s and Children’s Health

Organizational Context

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) serves as the Regional Office for the Americas of the World Health Organization (WHO).

Job Purpose

Lead transformative efforts to strengthen health systems across the Americas, driving strategic leadership to advance integrated, people-centered care across the life course and improve health outcomes from pregnancy through older age.

Responsibilities

Provide strategic leadership to develop policies, strategies, and plans integrating the life course approach within Primary Health Care, focusing on maternal, child, adolescent, youth, adult, and healthy aging agendas. Lead and coordinate technical cooperation with Member States, translating regional mandates into national policies that advance equitable, integrated, people-centered care. Guide the development of norms, standards, and service delivery models to strengthen PHC-based systems, incorporating innovation and digital health approaches. Strengthen national health information systems and promote the use of high-quality, disaggregated data for evidence-based policy-making and monitoring of health outcomes and inequalities. Support capacity building and workforce development to enhance integrated service delivery, intersectoral action, and adoption of innovative technologies. Build and sustain strategic partnerships, mobilize resources, and oversee programmatic areas including maternal, neonatal, child, adolescent health, and healthy aging, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities.

Work Experience

At least thirteen years of progressively responsible professional experience at national and international levels in managing health and/or intersectoral programs and projects related to child health, adolescent health, healthy aging, and family and community health, promoting human development through a life-course approach and quality of care. This includes a minimum of five years of demonstrated experience in policy development, and proven ability to negotiate, coordinate, and build partnerships with government sectors, the private sector, international agencies, and organized community groups. Proven experience in leading multidisciplinary teams and managing complex programs is required.

Skills

Strong leadership and strategic vision in public health and health systems strengthening. Ability to develop and implement policies and programs using a life course and Primary Health Care approach. Advanced analytical skills for data-driven decision-making and program monitoring. Excellent partnership-building, negotiation, and stakeholder engagement skills across sectors. Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and manage complex programs and resources. High-level communication skills for conveying strategic objectives to diverse audiences. Strong commitment to ethics, integrity, and fostering inclusive, collaborative work environments.

Explore related opportunities