Scientist

PURPOSEOFPOSITION

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) is the cancer agency of the World Health Organization (WHO) and is based in Lyon, France.

The Early Detection, Prevention, and Infections (EPR) Branch focuses its research on the evaluation of multi-level/multi-component interventions (i.e. vaccination, screening) to decrease cancer incidence, improve cancer early diagnosis, and decrease cancer mortality in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs) using implementation research frameworks. EPR studies will contribute towards WHO global cervical cancer and Hepatitis elimination targets for 2030, as well as WHO global breast cancer initiative targets.

EPR is investing in projects aimed to evaluate new and existing cancer early detection and prevention strategies and programs globally, including performing implementation research and providing evidence-base for effective country level actions in the context of national cancer control planning and implementation. The projects involve multicentric studies that need to be coordinated ensuring compliance to research protocols and good clinical practice.

As a member of the EPR branch, the incumbent is expected to assist, support and promote international research in the fields of cancer early detection, implementation, and evidence synthesis. Key responsibilities include day-to-day coordination of and follow-up on the research studies assessing the quality of cancer care, quality of life, health system capacity involving internal and external counterparts as well as preparing research protocols, grant writing, and publication of results. Together with senior scientists in the team, the incumbent supports the supervisor in coordinating multi-centric projects on patterns of care studies including those among childhood cancer patients.

The position contributes to the implementation and coordination of funded research projects to generate evidence primarily to strengthen access to cancer early detection and quality of cancer care including childhood cancers especially in the Low- and Middle Income Countries (LMICs).

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

WIthin the framework of the EPR Branch, the incumbent is expected to:

1.Work alongside the supervisor to coordinate epidemiological studies and public health projects in cancer control with a specific emphasis on enhancing quality of cancer care by producing context-specific evidence for early cancer diagnosis and better treatment outcomes within the framework of the funded project DECAN-CHILD.

2.Evaluation of delays occurring at various phases of childhood cancer diagnosis and treatment pathway and its association with stage at diagnosis and survival in Nepal and other low- and middle-income countries.

3.Conduct capacity and readiness assessments of health care delivery mechanisms with an aim to improve childhood cancer early diagnosis, timely and appropriate treatment, thereby improving quality of life.

4.Co-creation of strategic plan for decentralizing childhood cancer care through shared cancer centres using ‘hub and spoke’ model with aim to bringing cancer care services closer to patient’s home.

5.Collaborating with support staff to monitor the progress of the DECAN-CHILD project from IARC and perform site visits for supportive supervision

6.Preparing reports periodically for the funding agency

7.Analysing the database and preparing drafts of scientific manuscripts

8.Presenting the scientific results at international conferences

9.Support the supervisor in developing new projects in relation to primary and secondary prevention of common adult cancers and childhood cancers. This includes contributing to the writing of grant proposals to attract funding from competitive sources and writing scientific manuscripts.

10.Carries out other related duties as assigned by the supervisor.

WHO COMPETENCIES

·Producing results

·Teamwork

·Communication

·Moving forward in a changing environment

·Respecting and promoting cultural differences

FUNCTIONAL SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

Essential:

·Expert theoretical and practical epidemiology research analytical skills

·Effective communication with internal and external counterparts.

·Proven ability to draft scientific manuscripts.

·Familiarity with donor relations and the preparation of grant applications/agreements.

·Practical knowledge of cancer control (notably early cancer diagnosis) and cancer epidemiology

·Ability to draft evaluation reports on health system capacity assessment in relation to early cancer diagnosis and timely and appropriate treatment

Desirable:

·Analysis of qualitative and quantitative data from research projects

·Expertise in using statistical techniques such as STATA or R.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

Essential:PhD degree in Epidemiology, or any other closely related discipline.

Desirable: Specialisation in cancer field. Additional qualifications in related disciplines.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Essential:Minimum one year’s experience in cancer epidemiology, plus experience in:

1) Developing early cancer diagnosis protocols and health system assessment tools

2) Writing scientific reports and manuscripts for peer-reviewed journals

3) Preparing competitive grant proposals.

Desirable:Experience of statistical methods in epidemiology including hands-on experience in pattern of care and survivorship studies.

USE OF LANGUAGE SKILLS

Expert knowledge of English is essential. Working knowledge of French or another UN language is desirable.

OTHER SKILLS (e.g. IT)

·Knowledge of MS Office 365 office suite.

REMUNERATION

WHO salaries for staff in the Professional category are calculated in US dollars. The remuneration for the above position comprises an annual base salary starting at USD 43,834 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable), a variable post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station and currently amounts to USD 1,862 per month for the duty station indicated above (subject to change). Other benefits include 30 days of annual leave, allowances for dependent family members, home leave, and an education grant for dependent children.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

·This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level or lower.

·Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.

·A written test and/or presentation/seminar may be used as a form of screening.

·If your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. IARC/WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.

·According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible.

·Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules, and Manual noting that first year of fixed term contracts is a probationary period which maybe extended subject to performance evaluation.

·For information on IARC’s operations please visit: https://www.iarc.who.int, and for more general information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.

·IARC/WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The IARC/WHO recruits and employs staff regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.

·IARC/WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its staff. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Participating Stateshttps://www.iarc.who.int/equity-diversity-and-inclusion-at-iarc are strongly encouraged to apply for IARC/WHO jobs. Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email to reasonableaccommodation@who.int.

·An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. IARC/WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the IARC/WHO Values Charter https://www.iarc.who.int/about-iarc-who-ethics into practice.

·IARC/WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the IARC/WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to IARC/WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment, and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, IARC/WHO will conduct a background verification of final candidates.

·IARC/WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

·IARC/WHO also offers wide range of benefits to staff, including parental leave and attractive flexible work arrangements to help promote a healthy work-life balance and to allow all staff members to fully express and develop their talents.

·The statutory retirement age for staff appointments is 65. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete the term of appointment will normally be considered.

·Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.

·Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with IARC/WHO and an underlying premise of the international civil service.Candidates appointed to an international post with IARC/WHO are subject to mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.