Advisor, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene

Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)

Lima, Peru 🇵🇪

  • Grade: P-4
  • Salary – Annually: Step I – 86,027.00 USD
  • Post Adjustment – Annually: 30,969.72 USD
  • Contractual Agreement: Staff – Professional Post
  • Job Posting: February 23, 2026
  • Closing Date: March 16, 2026, 11:59 PM Peru Standard Time
  • Primary Location: Lima, Peru
  • Organization: DHE Social and Environmental Determinants for Health Equity
  • Schedule: Full time

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:

Advisor, Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene

• Join us and help advance health equity through safe water, sanitation, and hygiene in the Americas

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Regional Office for the Americas of the World Health Organization (WHO), is seeking a highly qualified, results‑oriented, and collaborative Advisor, Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) to provide strategic leadership and technical cooperation in support of Member States’ efforts to reduce health inequities and environmental health risks across the Region.

Under the general guidance of the Director, Social and Environmental Determinants for Health Equity, the direct supervision of the Unit Chief, Climate Change and Environmental Determinants of Health, and the administrative supervision of the PAHO/WHO Representative in Peru, the selected candidate will:

• Provide technical, policy, and strategic advice to strengthen national and regional WASH programs aimed at preventing water‑related diseases and improving access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene.
• Lead and coordinate inter‑programmatic and intersectoral initiatives to support the implementation and monitoring of WASH‑related Sustainable Development Goals and regional commitments.
• Support Member States in the development, implementation, and evaluation of policies, norms, guidelines, and legislation related to WASH, with a focus on health benefits.
• Promote and strengthen water quality surveillance and wastewater monitoring systems, ensuring linkages with epidemiological data.
• Provide technical cooperation on climate‑resilient water and sanitation safety plans, WASH in health care facilities, and waste management practices.
• Build, manage, and sustain strategic partnerships with national counterparts, United Nations agencies, academia, civil society, donors, and other stakeholders.
• Coordinate program planning, budgeting, implementation, monitoring, reporting, and resource mobilization activities related to WASH initiatives across the Region.

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

What is required for this position?

Education

A bachelor’s degree in health, environmental science, or engineering and a master’s degree in public health, environmental health, or engineering or any other discipline related to the functions of the post from a recognized university.

Experience

Nine years of combined national and international experience in technical cooperation in institutions concerned with public health, with a particular focus on water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) health, surveillance and monitoring methods, or evaluation of environmental health programs and sustainable development programs.

Languages

Very good knowledge of Spanish or English 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:

• Theoretical and practical expertise in environmental health, epidemiology, basic sanitation, waste management, and health promotion related to WASH.
• Strong technical cooperation experience in the design, implementation, management, and evaluation of WASH and environmental health programs.
• Ability to formulate policies, strategies, and technical guidance for WASH interventions at national and regional levels.
• Proven analytical, conceptual, and problem‑solving skills to assess complex public health and environmental challenges.
• Strong oral and written communication skills, including the preparation of technical reports, policy briefs, and presentations.
• Ability to build and manage partnerships and coordinate multi‑stakeholder and intersectoral initiatives.
• Demonstrated leadership, managerial judgment, and ability to guide and supervise technical teams.

Duration of Contract

Post of limited duration of one year. 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. 

12 days remaining

Apply by 16 March, 2026

POSITION TYPE

ORGANIZATION TYPE

EXPERIENCE-LEVEL

DEGREE REQUIRED

LANGUAGE REQUIRED

IHE Delft - MSc in Water and Sustainable Development