Human Resources Specialist - Talent Acquisition
About the job
- A bachelor's degree in human resources management, psychology, business administration, or another field related to the functions of the post from a recognized university is required.
- Seven years of combined national and international experience in human resources management, with a strong focus on talent acquisition and recruitment, are required, including at least two years of experience supervising and coordinating HR team work.
- Fluency in English or Spanish and working knowledge of the other language are required.
- Demonstrated ability to effectively use current technology and software, including Enterprise Resource Planning systems, is required.
- Proficiency in HR information systems for recruitment, onboarding, and workforce data management is required.
- Microsoft Excel, Outlook, OneDrive, PowerPoint, Teams, SharePoint, and Word skills are essential.
- Advanced knowledge of end-to-end talent acquisition processes, including sourcing, assessment, and selection methodologies, is required.
- Strong understanding of HR policies, staff rules, and regulatory frameworks, with the ability to interpret and apply them, is required.
- Experience in workforce planning and developing strategic recruitment plans aligned with organizational needs is required.
- Proficiency in competency-based interviewing, assessment tools, and selection methodologies is required.
- Strong analytical skills and experience with HR metrics, reporting, and data-driven decision-making are required.
- Ability to analyze and optimize recruitment processes and support continuous improvement initiatives is required.
- Expertise in HR information systems, recruitment platforms, and workforce data management is required.
- Experience managing internship and contingent workforce programs, including compliance and reporting, is required.
- Ability to develop HR guidelines, standard operating procedures, and policy recommendations is required.
- Oral and written communication skills, including building productive stakeholder relationships and communicating complex HR matters effectively, are required.
- Teamwork, collaboration, adaptability, accountability, and commitment to organizational values are required.
- Coordinate the end-to-end talent acquisition lifecycle, including sourcing, assessment, interviewing, and selection activities aligned with workforce plans and recruitment strategies.
- Manage recruitment operations, including vacancy announcements, candidate evaluations, interview processes, selection documentation, and reporting, while ensuring compliance with established practices.
- Provide guidance on interpreting and applying HR policies, procedures, exceptions, and governance frameworks related to staff and non-staff recruitment.
- Administer and review recruitment and selection processes to ensure quality, consistency, accuracy, and compliance with organizational requirements.
- Monitor recruitment and contingent workforce activities through data analysis, reporting, HR systems management, and process improvement initiatives.
- Build collaborative relationships with hiring managers, HR partners, technical units, academic institutions, and external organizations, while supporting internship, talent pipeline, and contingent workforce programs.
- Knowledge of French and/or Portuguese is an asset.
About the company
PAHO (Pan American Health Organization) provides technical cooperation and mobilizes partnerships to improve health and quality of life in the Americas. It is the regional office for the Americas of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the specialized health agency of the Inter-American System, working with the UN system. Its work involves technical assistance, public health program support, disease prevention, health promotion, and health system strengthening in member countries. Unlike many global health groups that operate by country or region only, PAHO combines regional leadership with a formal affiliation to WHO and the UN system, making it a trusted source for coordinating health initiatives across the Americas. The organization's goal is to improve health outcomes and quality of life across its member states by supporting health systems, guiding policy, and promoting evidence-based public health actions.
Company Size
1,001-5,000
Company Stage
N/A
Total Funding
N/A
Headquarters
null
Founded
1902
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- September 2026 lenacapavir access expands HIV prevention for 14 additional countries.
- PAHO’s 2026 HIV Alliance targets elimination by 2030 with governments, communities, and partners.
- August 2026 bullying guidance and July 2026 emergency partnerships deepen country-level demand for PAHO support.
What critics are saying
- June 2026 budget gap hit US$138 million; 220 positions were eliminated.
- US$179 million in assessed contributions remains unpaid, forcing travel cuts and recruitment freezes.
- Persistent funding shocks could hollow out PAHO’s technical capacity and undermine its relevance by 2027.
What makes Pan American Health Organization unique
- PAHO’s 1902 mandate and WHO regional office role give unmatched government access.
- Regional Revolving Funds pool demand, speeding procurement across 35 Americas countries.
- September 2026 lenacapavir and Roche agreements show convening power across pharma and ministries.
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Company News
Roche Diagnostics, PAHO promote HPV screening to prevent cervical cancer. * September 23, 2026 Roche Diagnostics and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) have signed an agreement to accelerate access to integrated DNA screening solutions for human papillomavirus (HPV) in Latin America and the Caribbean, a disease cited as the primary cause of cervical cancer. According to Roche, the agreement is designed to help countries strengthen HPV DNA screening programs and advance the goals of PAHO's Plan of Action for Cervical Cancer Prevention and Control 2018-2030, as well as the World Health Organization's (WHO) global strategy to eliminate the disease as a public health problem. Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable forms of cancer. However, Latin America and the Caribbean record the second-highest incidence and mortality rates in the world after Africa, according to the "A Situational Analysis of Cervical Cancer in Latin America and the Caribbean" report published by PAHO and WHO. The report indicates that Latin America and the Caribbean register an age-adjusted incidence rate of 15.1 cases per 100,000 women, compared to the WHO elimination threshold set at four cases per 100,000 women. Screening allows for the identification of women at higher risk and the detection of precancerous lesions to treat them before they progress to invasive cancer. Roche Diagnostics for Latin America President Jordi Fernández Capo noted that by working with PAHO and healthcare ecosystem partners, they have "the opportunity to implement essential screening programs that identify more women at risk and connect them with appropriate follow-up and care, when necessary." Likewise, he maintained that "supporting stronger, more integrated screening systems equipped with high-performance molecular platforms can help more women access early, accurate detection and the care they need when it can make the greatest difference." WHO agreement details and projections. The agreement will be implemented through PAHO's Regional Revolving Funds, a cooperation mechanism to improve access to health innovations. Through this mechanism, Roche Diagnostics will help facilitate the supply of HPV DNA screening solutions and other related diagnostic innovations. According to the ESTAMPA study, led by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), part of WHO, alongside PAHO, HPV tests detect 98.1% of high-grade cervical lesions, compared to 48.5% detected by other methods such as Pap smears (cervical cytology). In this context, expanding access to these screening approaches requires robust and integrated diagnostic infrastructure, including high-throughput molecular platforms that support quality and continuity throughout the screening pathway. The progression from HPV infection to cervical cancer is typically slow and can take decades. In its early stages, HPV generally causes no symptoms, leaving many women unaware they carry the infection until signs appear and cancer may have already begun to develop. In response, Roche Diagnostics will contribute its diagnostic expertise and network of local and international collaborators to strengthen screening pathways and advance the elimination of this cancer in Latin America and the Caribbean. The WHO Global Strategy for Cervical Cancer Elimination establishes the 90-70-90 targets for 2030: Vaccinate 90% of girls against HPV by age 15; Screen 70% of women with a high-performance test by age 35 and again by age 45; Treat 90% of women identified with precancerous lesions and 90% of those with invasive cancer. According to WHO estimates, achieving the 90-70-90 targets in low- and lower-middle-income countries would cumulatively prevent approximately 300,000 cervical cancer deaths by 2030, over 14 million by 2070, and more than 62 million by 2120. EFE
Brazil advances homegrown mRNA vaccine technology. Brazil is positioning itself at the forefront of cutting-edge vaccine science in Latin America, as the Ministry of Health channels R$ 210 million (approximately US$ 40 million) into the development of messenger RNA (mRNA) platforms across three major national research centers. The initiative, announced this week, will culminate in the first fully Brazilian-developed mRNA vaccine entering clinical trials in early 2027. The investment targets a trio of institutions with proven scientific capacity: Fiocruz, Instituto Butantan, and the UFMG Vaccine Competence Center (CTV-RNA). Through the federal government's Novo PAC Saúde infrastructure program, R$ 77 million was allocated to Fiocruz's mRNA platform, R$ 73 million to Butantan, and R$ 60 million to UFMG. The funds are directed toward research infrastructure, pilot production plants, strategic product development, and clinical studies aligned with the needs of Brazil's public health system (SUS). Building a national platform, not just a single vaccine. Beyond the immediate goal of producing a COVID-19 vaccine, the strategy is designed to establish a durable technological infrastructure that can pivot rapidly to address multiple health threats. mRNA technology works as a flexible platform: by altering the genetic instructions delivered to human cells, the same basic manufacturing process can be adapted to target different pathogens or diseases. "This is about more than one vaccine," said Mario Moreira, president of Fiocruz. "The consolidation of this platform expands Brazil's capacity to respond to health emergencies, reduces dependence on foreign technologies, and creates a foundation for developing new products aimed at the diverse challenges of the Unified Health System." The approach aligns with the Ministry's National Program of Radical Innovation, which organizes a portfolio of strategic projects and strengthens collaboration among government, academia, industry, and international partners. The program aims to convert scientific knowledge into concrete solutions - vaccines, medicines, diagnostics, and therapies - that directly address SUS priorities. Fiocruz to launch first clinical trial in Q1 2027. The most advanced project is a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine developed by Bio-Manguinhos/Fiocruz, which has received authorization from the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) to begin Phase 1 clinical trials. The study will evaluate the vaccine as a booster dose, in line with the current strategy of Brazil's National Immunization Program (PNI). Recruitment of volunteers is scheduled to start in the first quarter of 2027. In this initial phase, researchers will focus on safety and immunogenicity, with participants followed for one year. The vaccine candidate successfully completed preclinical studies demonstrating protection against disease, along with toxicological assessments and scale-up trials. The product is manufactured at Bio-Manguinhos' pilot plant - the first mRNA facility in Latin America certified under Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) - a milestone that positions Brazil as a potential regional hub for advanced vaccine production. Diversified pipeline across three centers. While Fiocruz's COVID-19 candidate is the first to reach clinical testing, the broader mRNA ecosystem in Brazil is already branching into multiple diseases: * UFMG's CTV-RNA is developing mRNA vaccine candidates against dengue, malaria, Chagas disease, visceral leishmaniasis, and influenza. The center is also exploring therapeutic applications, including siRNA-based immunotherapy for cancer, cancer vaccines using tumor antigens, and an RNA-based methodology for CAR-T cell therapy. * Instituto Butantan is using its allocation to establish a dedicated unit for the development and production of mRNA vaccines, initially targeting COVID-19 and rabies. The project is part of a broader international cooperation strategy involving the Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), with the ambition of transforming Brazil's mRNA platform into a global health asset. "We are appropriating the technology," Says Health Minister. Brazil's commitment to mRNA contrasts with recent moves in some countries that have scaled back or discontinued investments in the technology. Health Minister Alexandre Padilha emphasized the strategic importance of maintaining three national platforms: "While some countries have cut their mRNA investments, tore up contracts, and halted research, Brazil has three platforms, is advancing, and preparing itself more and more for vaccine development. We are very proud that Brazil will take ownership of this technological platform." The government's bet on mRNA is framed as a cornerstone of the Economic-Industrial Health Complex (CEIS), a policy framework designed to reduce Brazil's reliance on imported technologies and strengthen domestic production capacity. By building end-to-end expertise - from basic research to clinical trials and GMP manufacturing - Brazil aims to be ready for future pandemics and to address neglected tropical diseases that disproportionately affect Latin America. With the first clinical trial on the horizon and a diversified pipeline taking shape, the country's mRNA initiative signals a new chapter in Brazil's long tradition of public health innovation. Support this blog
Gilead Sciences has partnered with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) to expand access to twice-yearly lenacapavir for HIV prevention across Latin America and the Caribbean. The agreement uses PAHO's Regional Revolving Funds to create a coordinated pathway for country-led adoption of the long-acting HIV prevention treatment. The partnership addresses a critical need in the region, where new HIV infections increased by 13% between 2010 and 2024. The agreement provides access for 14 countries outside Gilead's existing voluntary licensing agreements, including Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela. The collaboration combines PAHO's regional coordination and procurement capabilities with Gilead's access strategy to enable sustainable scale-up of HIV prevention efforts.
Frequently asked questions. What is lenacapavir used for? Lenacapavir is used for HIV prevention as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Who is partnering with Gilead for this initiative? Gilead is partnering with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). What regions will benefit from this partnership? The partnership aims to benefit all PAHO Member States in Latin America and the Caribbean. How will access to lenacapavir be expanded? Access will be expanded through PAHO's Regional Revolving Funds.
The Clean Air Institute enters into Official Relations with PAHO. On June 18, during its 178th Session in Washington, D.C., the Executive Committee of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) approved the admission of the Clean Air Institute (CAI) into official relations with the Organization. The decision - reflected in resolution CE178.R11 on Non-State Actors in Official Relations with PAHO - was supported by a majority of PAHO's Member States, who recognized CAI's contributions to advancing evidence-based air quality and health policies across the Americas. Official relations is the formal status PAHO grants to non-state actors - technical institutions, academic bodies, and civil society organizations - whose expertise and regional networks can strengthen the Organization's technical cooperation with its Member States. For CAI, it opens a more structured channel to support PAHO's work on air pollution and health, and to participate in the governance spaces where regional health policy is shaped. Years in the making. This recognition is the result of sustained, technical collaboration with PAHO across the region, not a single initiative. Some milestones from that collaboration: * Between 2020 and 2021, CAI supported PAHO's regional work plan to reduce the burden of disease and health inequities attributable to air pollution and black carbon, with emphasis on Small Island Developing States. This included technical assistance to PAHO's Initiative to Eliminate the Use of Solid Fuels for Cooking and Heating and the piloting of WHO's Carbon-H tool to assess the health co-benefits of countries' climate commitments. * In 2023, CAI designed the roadmap for a Regional Expert Group on AirQ+, aimed at strengthening the region's long-term capacity to assess the health impacts of air pollution for policymaking. * Also in 2023, CAI led the development of a roadmap to integrate short-lived climate pollutant (SLCP) mitigation actions into Trinidad and Tobago's air quality and public health agenda. * Between 2023 and 2024, CAI carried out a regional assessment of air quality management capacities across 152 of the most populous cities in Latin America and the Caribbean, identifying gaps and priority areas for collaboration toward the WHO Air Quality Guidelines and the SDGs. * In 2024, CAI supported the update of Trinidad and Tobago's Air Pollution Rules, developing emission-reduction scenarios and estimating their associated health co-benefits through 2030. * Between 2024 and 2025, CAI led the technical process behind a national protocol for the design and operation of air quality monitoring networks in the Dominican Republic, working alongside PAHO and the country's Ministry of Environment to redesign the monitoring network with a public-health focus. Together, this body of work - spanning technical cooperation projects, country-level assistance, capacity building, and participation in regional governance spaces - laid the foundation PAHO's Member States pointed to in supporting CAI's admission. Looking ahead. CAI is deeply grateful to the Member States that supported this recommendation and to the PAHO team for its trust over these years of collaboration. Official relations status does not close a chapter - it opens the next one: CAI will continue contributing technical expertise to the region's air quality, climate, and health agenda, working alongside PAHO toward clean air as a fundamental condition for health.