Public Health Officer (cancer control practices & policies)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

Cancer control is receiving increased priority globally as governments recognize and respond to the non-communicable disease (NCD) agenda, led by the World Health Organization (WHO). As an international Agency and part of the WHO, the Screening Group (SCR) at the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has a pivotal role to support situational analysis of cancer prevention and screening. This involves monitoring and evaluating existing cancer early detection and prevention programs with the goal to build on its own research activities in the areas of prevention, screening and early diagnosis research to provide the evidence-base for effective country level actions in the context of national cancer control planning and implementation.

More information about the SCR Group at IARC can be found at the following link:

https://www.iarc.who.int/research-groups-edp-scr-rationale/

Note: Start date for this position is normally set for 1 September 2021 at the latest. However, in light of the evolving Covid-19 situation (notably in terms of confinement and travel restrictions), the start date of the position may be impacted until such date that the successful candidate be able to physically report for duty in Lyon, France.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the supervision of senior scientific staff in the SCR Group, this new position:

• Contributes to the coordination of projects focused on evaluating cancer control practices and policies in different countries; and
• Builds upon the work already being undertaken by a funded project involving: ‘Implementation plan for improving cancer control: Towards comprehensive cancer care and well-governed in Eastern Europe and beyond’.

The creation of this temporary position is in response to a funded initiative focusing on evaluating cancer control, notably in Latvia and Slovakia. The project contains a major component of coordination and networking with stakeholders and local partners, and offers excellent opportunities to attract additional competitive funding.

Key duties of the incumbent to this new position of Public Health Officer include:

1. Work alongside the supervisors to coordinate public health projects in cancer control with a particular focus on capacity building for implementation and improvement of population-based cancer screening programmes according to the relevant EU guidelines and quality standards. This involves:

- engaging and exchanging information and project updates with stakeholders of different cultures and backgrounds (from Ministries of health representatives to health services providers);

- mapping of services and data flow related to cancer screening continuum;

- developing protocols and tools for situational analysis of the information system that is presently used, its gaps and scopes for improvement;

- evaluating the performance of existing cancer screening programmes and performing related situational analysis;

- drafting reports, guidelines and/or other public health policy documents, synthesizing the content provided by the different stakeholders and local partners;

- liaising and collaborating on a regular basis with the Strategic Engagement & Resources Mobilization Officer at IARC and the IARC Communications team, to ensure that deliverables are adapted in content for both scientific and non-scientific audiences.

2. Contribute to the development and implementation of new or ancillary projects related to cancer early detection. This involves developing grant proposals aiming to attract funding from competitive sources. The incumbent is expected to assist on specific grant applications.

Note: In view of the above-mentioned duties, the incumbent is expected to undertake duty travel (as required and allowed by WHO/IARC travel policy) estimated at up to 20% of total working time.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential:

- Master’s degree (or higher, e.g. PhD or MD) in Public Health or in another closely related field.

- In all cases, education should involve a strong focus on public health.

Desirable:

- PhD in Public Health or equivalent (e.g. MD/MPH, MD who is a PhD candidate).

Experience

Essential:

- At least two years of experience in conducting research and/or implementation projects in the field of public health.

- Experience in the following areas is also required:

1. Projects related to cancer prevention and early detection, and

2. Implementation and monitoring of projects involving cancer control programmes.

Desirable:

Experience in the following areas is an asset:

1. Evaluation of health systems, and/or

2. Working with Ministries of health (MoH) representatives.

Skills

Essential:

- Advanced theoretical and practical knowledge of cancer control (notably early detection and prevention).

- Excellent knowledge of functioning of health care systems.

- Ability to communicate effectively with internal and external partners across multiple geographies and cultures (e.g. WHO offices, research partners, funding bodies).

- Ability to analyze results of research conducted, identify issues, formulate opinions, make conclusions and recommendations for strengthening health care systems.

- Ability to draft evaluation reports on public health policies, programs and activities.

- Familiarity with the preparation of grant applications.

Desirable:

- Ability to draft or participate in the drafting of scientific manuscripts.

WHO Competencies

- Producing results

- Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences

- Communicating in a credible and effective way

- Knowing and managing yourself

Use of Language Skills

Expert knowledge of English is essential (read, written and spoken).

REMUNERATION

IARC salaries for staff in the Professional category are calculated in US dollars. The fixed remuneration for the above position comprises an annual net salary plus a post adjustment which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station.

Total fixed remuneration for this position currently amounts to USD 71743 (i.e. approximately EUR 61200) per annum which is the sum of: 1) annual net salary of USD 48805 at Level P2 of the UN professional salary scale, plus 2) post adjustment for Lyon, France currently amounting to an annualized figure of USD 22938.

The fixed remuneration is expressed net of income tax but before deduction of the employee share of contributions for mandatory participation in the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund and in the Organization’s private insurance plans covering health, accident, illness and disability.

Other benefits include 30 days of annual leave and allowances for dependent family members.

Subject to certain conditions, under temporary appointment, internationally-recruited staff may also be entitled to relocation travel & shipment, settling-in grant upon appointment and/or education grant for dependent children.

Employment status is that of international civil servant.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• We only accept applications submitted via our online recruitment tool, which should be filled out in English and include a cover letter. Application profiles should include the details of all work experiences to date (full career details).

• It is mandatory to attach a full list of publications. To add this list, please go to your profile under the dedicated "publication" tab.

• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted for assessment and interview (held remotely).

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

• Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual.

• For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int

• WHO/IARC is committed to workforce diversity.

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