Legal Advisor at Pan American Health Organization in Washington, D.C.

Legal Advisor

Location: Washington, D.C.

Grade:

P-4Step I - 86,027.00 USD0.00 USD

Contractual Agreement:

Staff - Professional Post

Job Posting:

August 12, 2026

Closing Date:

September 2, 2026, 11:59 PM Eastern Time

Primary Location:

Washington, D.C.

Organization:

LEG Office of the Legal Counsel

Schedule:

Full time

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:

Join PAHO’s Office of Legal Counsel and play a key role in providing expert legal advice on complex international, administrative, and organizational matters. This position contributes to protecting the Organization’s legal interests and supporting sound decision-making across PAHO’s programs and operations.

SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Legal Advisor and the general supervision of the Legal Counsel, the incumbent is responsible for, but not limited to, the following:

• Provide authoritative legal advice to Executive Management, PAHO/WHO Representatives, and Department Directors on complex legal issues affecting the Organization.
• Review, draft, and clear agreements, contracts, legal memoranda, and other legal instruments to ensure compliance with PAHO policies, rules, and procedures.
• Conduct legal research, analyze precedents, and provide legal opinions on matters involving national and international law, administrative law, and technical cooperation activities.
• Represent the Organization’s legal interests before Member States, external parties, and in organizational decision-making meetings, providing legal guidance on procedural and substantive matters.
• Provide legal support to administrative and operational areas, including human resources, procurement, and general services, and collaborate with legal counterparts in governments and international organizations.
• Supervise and mentor junior attorneys and support staff; develop legal procedures, guidelines, and background materials for committees and organizational bodies.

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

EDUCATION

Essential: A university degree from a recognized university and a master’s degree in law, international relations, political science or any other field related to the functions of the post. Licensed to practice law in a PAHO Member State.

EXPERIENCE

Essential: Nine years of combined national and international experience in law with a public international organization, governmental agency, and/or private practice, with emphasis on public international law, contracts, administrative law, technical cooperation agreements and comparative law, and including managerial experience.

LANGUAGES

Fluency in English and Spanish. Knowledge of French and/or Portuguese 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, 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 international law, administrative law, commercial law, and legal frameworks applicable to international organizations.
• Advanced knowledge of comparative and international law, corporate law, corporate governance, litigation, and commercial legal practice.
• Strong ability to analyze complex legal and policy issues and present clear, well-reasoned legal opinions and recommendations.
• Proven capacity to provide strategic legal counsel and influence decision-making at senior management level.
• Excellent organizational, interpersonal, communication, and negotiation skills.
• Ability to develop reports, presentations, policies, procedures, and other technical or persuasive legal documents.
• Strong teamwork, collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and partnership-building skills.
• Commitment to integrity, accountability, respect for diversity, and delivery of high-quality results.

DURATION OF CONTRACT

One year. 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.