Scientist

Overview

Assist in developing a program on cancer survivorship epidemiology.

You have:

• PhD in Epidemiology, or any other closely related discipline.
• At least one year of post-doctoral experience in cancer epidemiology.
• Data collection with and analysis of variety of quality of life measurement instruments.
• Experience of statistical methods in epidemiology including hands-on experience in cancer survivorship studies.
• Experience in the analysis of longitudinal data and fieldwork epidemiology.
• Experience in ethics applications for epidemiological or clinical studies conducted in France.
• Experience utilizing France’s system of national health data (SNDS).
• Manuscript writing of scientific publications in peer-reviewed literature.

Contract

This is a P-1 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 1 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 44,593 USD and 61,628 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 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” main objective is to identify modifiable cancer risk factors and protective factors to support the IARC vision of a world where fewer people develop cancer.

The incumbent will assist in developing a program on cancer survivorship epidemiology, including studies on the quality of life of cancer patients and cancer survivors, and the late and aftereffects of cancer and its treatment, spanning low to high-income countries. The position will allow the ENV branch to achieve its IARC Medium-Term Strategic Objectives and, as the population of cancer survivors grows worldwide, will give an opportunity to the incumbent to build up a career in cancer survivorship epidemiology.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the direct supervision of deputy Head of the ENV branch and overall guidance of ENV Branch Head and the IARC Director, the incumbent will coordinate with internal and external counterparts to assist in developing a program on cancer survivorship research, initially focused upon francophone countries.

Summary of Assigned Duties

1) Set up studies of the after and late effects of cancer and the quality of life of cancer patients in large French population-based cohorts, including questionnaires, response methodology, data collection and data capture tools across these outcomes as well as on the cancer and its detailed treatment.

2) Assist in study coordination, study management and all ethical and legal documentation for quality-of-life studies with French and other cohorts.

3) Analyse longitudinal and cross-sectional data of quality of life of cancer patients and their determinants, including detailed treatment information.

4) Develop study protocols for investigating cancer after and late effects.

5) Interact with international study experts in cancer quality of life measurement and with the experts in the parent studies within which cancer survivorship studies will be embedded.

6) Write relevant grant proposals and assist in preparation, launch and monitoring of studies related to cancer survivorship.

7) Assist in scientific manuscript writing skill for quality of life and other cancer-relevant studies in ENV.

8) Assist in the analysis of other ongoing studies in the ENV branch.

WHO COMPETENCIES

· Producing results.

· Building and promoting partnerships across the organisation and beyond.

· Fostering integration and teamwork.

· Technical expertise.

· Communication.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

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

Desirable: -

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Essential: At least one year of post-doctoral experience in cancer epidemiology.

Desirable:

· Data collection with and analysis of variety of quality of life measurement instruments

· Experience of statistical methods in epidemiology including hands-on experience in cancer survivorship studies

· Experience in the analysis of longitudinal data and fieldwork epidemiology.

· Experience in ethics applications for epidemiological or clinical studies conducted in France.

· Experience utilizing France’s system of national health data (SNDS)

· Manuscript writing of scientific publications in peer-reviewed literature.

FUNCTIONAL SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

Essential:

· Expert theoretical and practical epidemiology research analytical skills using statistical techniques such as STATA or R.

· Effective communication with internal and external counterparts.

· Proven ability to draft scientific manuscripts.

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

· Knowledge on environmental contaminants.

Desirable: -

USE OF LANGUAGE SKILLS

Expert knowledge of English and French is essential.

OTHER SKILLS ( IT SKILLS)

· Knowledge of office 365 package.

· Mastery knowledge of statistical software such as Stata, R, etc.

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 43,144 (subject to applicable deductions), a variable post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station, and currently amounts to USD 1,790 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 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.

Potential interview questions