PURPOSE OF POSITION

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) is the specialized cancer agency of the World Health Organization. The objective of the IARC is to promote international collaboration in cancer research.

The Environment and Lifestyle Epidemiology “ENV” Branch focuses on environmental and lifestyle risk factors, which knowledge and understanding are critical for effective primary prevention of cancer due to their modifiable nature. Branch objective 5, “To enable cancer prevention and control through research evidence translation”, catalyzes the knowledge on risk factors and related primary prevention interventions into cancer prevention recommendations and tools to different target groups: individuals, policymakers, and health professionals and advocates.

The World Code Against Cancer Framework is based on the synthesis and evaluation of the evidence on lifestyle, environmental, occupational, and infectious risk factors and effective medical interventions, to translate this evidence base into recommendations on primary and secondary prevention of cancer at the individual and population levels. Under the World Code Against Cancer Framework and the team’s area of work, the incumbent will mainly be participating in:

1)     The 4P-CAN project (Personalized CANcer Primary Prevention research through Citizen Participation and digitally enabled social innovation) to deliver new personalized tools for primary prevention of cancer in Central and Eastern European countries; and

2)     Dissemination and implementation activities of the soon to be launched Latin-America and the Caribbean Code Against Cancer 1st edition.

The position will assist in setting up implementation research projects in primary prevention of cancer. Implementation research has been identified as an important and evolving global issue for cancer prevention research, and labelled as IARC’s emerging priorities for the next years. As defined in the IARC Medium-Term Strategy 2021–2025, “Implementation research for cancer prevention is the scientific study of the processes, tools, and methods used to implement cancer prevention interventions as well as the relevant contextual factors. A major purpose is to support and guide the successful application of interventions that have been demonstrated to be effective.”

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the direct supervision of a staff scientist and overall guidance of the head of ENV, the incumbent will provide scientific input to design and develop implementation research studies to evaluating the impact of cancer prevention strategies at individual, health provider and organizational level:

1.    Design, develop and analyse hybrid effectiveness-implementation studies, together with local partners (e.g., in Central and Eastern Europe and Latin-American), to evaluate the “real-world” impact of primary prevention strategies in specific target groups (e.g., general population, policy/decision-makers, health professionals, health advocates), including baseline measurements.

2.    Liaise with the internal and external collaborators of ECAC5 project (update of the European Code Against Cancer) on the real-time implementation of ECAC5 recommendations (at individual and policymaker level) in Central and Eastern Europe provided through the 4P-CAN project.

3.    Contribute to developing cancer primary prevention performance indicators for the multi-level assessment of policies, legislation, and regulatory frameworks for cancer primary prevention.

4.    Perform literature reviews of the evidence when needed.

5.    Coordinate activities with the internal and external collaborators.

6.    Write relevant grants related to the team’s projects.

WHO COMPETENCIES

·          Fostering integration and teamwork*

·          Producing results*

·          Respecting & promoting individual and cultural differences*

·          Communication

·          Building and promoting partnerships across the organisation and beyond.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

Essential: A PhD degree in Implementation science, Epidemiology, Public Health, or any other closely related discipline.

Desirable: –

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Essential: 

·          At least one year of post-doctoral experience in implementation and dissemination research, or epidemiology with strong implementation science component

·          Experience in quantitative research methods (publication record will be considered)

·          Knowledge in cancer or non-communicable diseases (NCDs) prevention research

·          Proven hands-on experience using statistical analysis packages (e.g., R, Stata)

Desirable:

·          Experience in at least one of these areas: designing, implementing, analyzing, evaluating, scaling-up interventions or dissemination strategies.

·          Applying Behavior Change Techniques to design or evaluate interventions, some hands-on work in policy analysis.

·          Experience in low and middle-income countries (LMICs).

USE OF LANGUAGE SKILLS

Very good knowledge of English with working knowledge of Spanish or Portuguese.

FUNCTIONAL SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

·          Expert theoretical and practical implementation science or epidemiology research analytical skills using statistical techniques.

·          Effective communication with internal and external counterparts.

·          Proven ability to draft scientific manuscripts.

·          Knowledge on cancer/NCD primary prevention

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

OTHER SKILLS ( IT SKILLS)

·          Demonstrated ability in Microsoft office 365 package.

·          Demonstrated ability in statistical packages (Stata, R, etc.) and qualitative analysis software.

·          Knowledge of software programs such as reference manager, Adobe and project management software.

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 39,401 (subject to applicable deductions), a variable post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station, and currently amounts to USD 1,625 per month for the duty station indicated above. 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 States  https://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 [email protected].

·          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.