Scientist

PURPOSEOFPOSITION

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. Within this activity, ENV runs the scientific secretariat of Cancer Prevention Europe (CPE), a network of key cancer research and prevention centres from several European countries.

Branch objective 1, “To investigate environmental and lifestyle causes of cancer”, includes epidemiological studies to identify environmental or lifestyle causes of cancer. Childhood cancer is one particular outcome addressed by ENV activities.

The position will assist in continuing two major scientific activities in the branch, namely the scientific secretariat of the Cancer Prevention Europe (CPE) network and assisting in the coordination of epidemiological research activities on childhood cancer.

The position will allow ENV branch to achieve its IARC Medium-Term Strategic Objectives and will give an opportunity to the incumbent to build up a career in cancer epidemiology and prevention.

DESCRIPTIONOFDUTIES

Under the direct supervision of the head of ENV, the incumbent will mainly be participating in the two areas outlined above. The position is integrated in the ENV branch with scientists conducting similar research, but the most direct collaborators will be at partner institutions external to the IARC. The incumbent will be member of the IARC team on childhood cancer:

1)Assist in the coordination of CPE by carrying out all work related to the scientific secretariat of the network, including scientific responsibility for the virtual and in-person meetings of CPE, assisting in managing and monitoring CPE projects, contributing to the dissemination of CPE products and through presentations and special documents to the visibility of the network, liaison to members and collaborators, and running the CPE Young Researchers network.

2)Assist in development of all e-Learning material related to CPE activities and be the liaison of CPE to the ENV coordination of the European Code against Cancer project.

3)Assist in the coordination of epidemiological research on childhood cancer.

4)Act as a focal point for project partners, responsible for documentation and monitoring of progress, develop study materials, monitor data collection, write study protocols, perform statistical analysis and write reports.

5)Contribute to the scientific aims of the project.

6)Write relevant grant applications in these two areas, scientific secretariat of Cancer Prevention Europe (CPE) and epidemiological research activities on childhood cancer.

7)Lead scientific manuscripts from the two areas and participate in other manuscripts of the branch related to this work.

8)Support the head of branch as CPE Chair and Principal Investigator of the childhood cancer studies.

WHOCOMPETENCIES

·Fostering integration and teamwork.

·Respecting and promoting cultural differences.

·Communication.

·Producing results.

·Knowing and managing yourself.

REQUIREDQUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

Essential:PhD degree in Epidemiology.

Desirable: PhD topic related to cancer field.

PROFESSIONALEXPERIENCE

Essential:At least one year of experience as postdoctoral fellow in cancer research.

Desirable:

·Experience in design, conduct and analysis of epidemiological studies.

·Experience in using statistical packages for epidemiological research (e.g., R, Stata, SAS)

·Experience in project management of scientific networks

USEOFLANGUAGESKILLS

Essential: Expert knowledge of English language.

Desirable: Working knowledge of French or another UN official language is an asset..

FUNCTIONAL SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

Essential:

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

·Effective communication with internal and external counterparts.

·Proven ability to draft scientific manuscripts.

·Knowledge on causes of cancer (e.g., lifestyle, nutrition, environment, radiations)

Desirable:Familiarity with the preparation of grant applications/agreements.

Other Considerations (e.g. Physical Workplace Condition, if other than normal office environment; IT Skills; etc.)

·Preparedness to travel to low-and-middle income countries.

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 1,579 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.

ADDITIONALINFORMATION

·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.