Scientist

Contract

This is a P-2 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 2 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 57,661 USD and 78,318 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

PURPOSE OF POSITION

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 Evidence Synthesis and Classification Branch (ESC) produces the WHO Classification of Tumours, the IARC Monographs on the Identification of Carcinogenic Hazards to Humans, and the IARC Handbooks of Cancer Prevention. For each volume, IARC convenes international, interdisciplinary Working Groups of expert scientists to systematically review the pertinent scientific literature and to develop consensus evaluations and classifications. IARC selects these experts based on their knowledge and experience and the absence of real or apparent conflicting interests.

The IARC Handbooks Programme (IHB), within the Section of Evidence Synthesis and Classification, produces the IARC Handbooks of Cancer Prevention. The Handbooks are critical reviews and consensus evaluations of the published scientific evidence on potential cancer-preventive agents, strategies or interventions to humans. The Programme Head is responsible for the development and maintenance of the IARC Handbooks programme. Under the supervision of the IHB Programme Head, the incumbent coordinates the overall planning and execution of the meetings and preparation for publication of the ensuing volumes.

Under the supervision of the IARC Handbooks Programme Head, the incumbent works closely with him/her in the preparation of the Handbooks and their publication. The incumbent participates in selecting the experts, producing the outline, and distributing the writing assignments; the incumbent also performs initial literature searches. The incumbent is then in close contact with all Working Group members to answer queries, follow the flow of the drafts and perform in-house peer-reviews. After the meeting, the incumbent checks post-meeting documents to ensure scientific accuracy and clarity.

Available guidelines: The Preambles to the Handbooks, the Instructions to Authors, and IARC Scientific Publications and related documents, to give guiding principles and outline procedures for producing Handbooks and for carrying out evaluations. WHO Staff Rules and Regulations, WHO Manual; IARC Handbook and Security Manual; Workflow and SOPs of the IARC Handbooks programme.

Nature and purpose of contact within the Organization: IARC Scientists from other Branches, depending on the topic of the volume; Scientific personnel participating as members of the Secretariat in the Handbook meeting; staff from the Communications and PLW Teams; to exchange information on any aspect relevant to the preparation of the meetings and the publication of the final volume.

Nature and purpose of contact outside the Organization: Working Group members and Invited Specialists (20 to 30), to guide and support them before and during the meetings, and to monitor the follow of drafts that will finally constitute the Handbook; Representatives and Observers who will attend the meeting, to ensure that they endorse the protocol for their respective positions.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

1. Contributes in all aspects of the preparation of the Handbook meetings. This involves:
   1. Setting-up the outline, selecting the experts, and distributing the writing assignments;
   2. Doing initial literature searches, and follow-ups;
   3. Sorting the retrieved articles by subgroup and/or subsection;
   4. Answering scientific or other queries by the WG members relative to their assignments;
   5. Contributing to pre-meeting internal review and follow-up of peer-reviews by Working Group members.
2. At meetings the incumbent serves as rapporteur in one of the subgroups. This involves:
   1. Working closely with the subgroup chair, individual members of the subgroup, and IARC support staff to complete tasks on time;
   2. Record edits and comments during the subgroup sessions, and ensure submission of revised drafts;
   3. Act in the interests of the programme to ensure that the section conforms to Handbook standards; and
   4. Coordinate with the other rapporteurs to ensure that satisfactory progress is being made throughout the meeting.
3. After the meeting, the incumbent reviews text and tables issued from the meeting to ensure scientific accuracy and clarity. This involves checking the information provided in the drafts against the scientific literature, and making corrections and editing the text as necessary to get the drafts ready for the editor; and responding to queries from the editor.
4. Contributes to the writing and revisions of the Special Report.
5. Contributes to writing grants with a view to attracting research funding from competitive sources.
6. The incumbent performs other related duties related to the Handbooks programme as assigned.

COVID-19 MEASURES

Due to the evolving situation resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic, and depending on work requirements, this position may be partly occupied remotely, from the home of the candidate selected in the region Lyon, according to the teleworking clause for force majeure currently in force as part of the IARC teleworking policy during this pandemic period.

WHO COMPETENCIES

• Producing results.
• Communication.
• Teamwork.
• Respecting and promoting cultural differences.
• Moving forward in a changing environment.

FUNCTIONAL SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

• Ability to guide committees to produce scientific reports; to review manuscripts for accuracy; to integrate scientific information across multiple disciplines.
• Knowledge of the scientific disciplines involved in cancer prevention.
• Ability to manage projects in a multicultural context, liaising with numerous internal and external stakeholders.
• Proven ability to draft scientific manuscripts and familiarity with the preparation of grant applications.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

Essential: PhD in epidemiology or closely related field to cancer research (e.g. oncology, toxicology, public health, etc).

Desirable: Knowledge in another discipline in cancer research.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Essential:

• At least two years of professional post-doctoral experience in cancer research, in particular cancer epidemiology on cancer-causing agents or cancer-preventive agents
• Experience in assisting in evaluations of cancer hazards, cancer-prevention strategies or related normative work.
• Experience reviewing studies across a spectrum of primary and secondary cancer-preventive interventions.
• Experience in assisting to prepare international scientific meetings.
• Scientific publication record in the field of cancer prevention commensurate with the grade of the position.

Desirable:

• Experience working in a multi-disciplinary scientific unit.
• Experience in guiding scientific committees, as chair, rapporteur or co-rapporteur

USE OF LANGUAGE SKILLS

Expert knowledge of English is required; Intermediate knowledge of French or another UN language is desirable.

OTHER SKILLS (e.g. IT)

Ability to use standard word-processing software, content management software and scientific literature

Databases.

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 49,254 (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 1,485 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

• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
• A written test and/or seminar presentation may be used as a form of screening.
• In the event that 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.
• Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to IARC/WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual.
• WHO staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.
• For information on IARC’S operations please visit: www.iarc.fr
• IARC/WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
• IARC/WHO's workforce adheres to the WHO Values Charter and is committed to put the WHO Values into practice.
• IARC/WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Participating States are particularly encourage.