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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 mission of the IARC Learning and Capacity Building Branch (LCB) is to coordinate various IARC education and training initiatives and to promote them both internally and externally. As part of the IARC Courses Programme, one of the growing activities of LCB is to design, organize, facilitate and evaluate learning events (onsite and online courses, webinars), in the area of IARC expertise and aimed at enhancing professional continuous development opportunities for worldwide cancer researchers and health professionals.

The aim of the position is to support the IARC Courses Programme with online/onsite learning event design, organization, facilitation and evaluation, as well as project management competences.

More than thirty learning events are organized each year. In particular, the IARC Summer School in Cancer Epidemiology is a major learning event that takes place every two years in Lyon in June and July. The participants (epidemiologists, statisticians, general practitioners, public health specialists) enrolled in one of the offered modules, come from all over the world, in particular from low and middle income countries. 

Events are increasingly organized online or following a blended-learning approach (involving online and face to face components). Several new projects involving learning events have been initiated and are planned in the future.

The incumbent is a member of a team composed of (1) the Head of the LCB Branch leading the projects, (2) the Courses Assistant, coordinating IARC online and onsite learning events, (3) the eLearning and Multimedia Assistant, (4) consultant(s) and short term Assistant(s) contributing to the implementation of learning and dissemination projects in various capacity (coordination, dissemination activities design/implementation, learning events organization/facilitation, learning material design/development…). The Branch Secretary, mostly involved in the IARC Research Training and Fellowship Programme, is providing administrative assistance on a selected number of projects.

The incumbent works in accordance with WHO/IARC rules and regulations, established procedures and practices, seeking clarification and guidance by supervisor and/or relevant colleagues as required.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the direct supervision of the Courses Assistant, in close collaboration with other relevant colleagues in the LCB Branch, within IARC and with external collaborators, and overall guidance of LCB branch head, the incumbent is expected to, depending on projects, carry out all or part of the following:

1)     Logistical support to projects

o    Organize internal and external online and onsite meetings: preparing agendas, circulating necessary documentation to meeting participants, drafting of meeting minutes, setting up filing and communication system and follow-up with participants on deadlines.

o    Prepare communication material in coordination with the Communications/Web teams.

2)     Learning activities

o    Prepare guides for activities, such as group work. Ensure that roles and the desired outcomes of each activity are clearly defined. If existing guides are available, assist the scientific event coordinator in utilizing them effectively.

o    Refine learning materials by utilizing predefined templates. These templates are based on content provided by teachers. Additionally, ensuring that all copyright-related aspects are appropriately addressed.

o    Facilitate webinars and online sessions.

3)     Coordination/administration of participants

o    Teachers/facilitators: prepare invitations, organize coordination meetings to ensure roles are clear and to finalize agenda of the event.

o    Learners: prepare application/registration forms; assemble confirmation documents and communicate with participants; conserve participant database/lists

o    Administer travel and accommodation arrangements 

4)     Event logistics, in coordination with relevant internal services

o    Book and set up Teams/zoom, onsite rooms, including recording feature.

o    Facilitate the seamless execution of scheduled activities.

o    Assist teachers and learners throughout the events.

5)     Online IARC learning platform: 

o    Establish and configure the online space for the event.

o    Upload and upkeep of educational content and learning materials.

o    Create user accounts and provide user support. 

6)     Certificates and evaluation

o    Prepare learners certificate of completion.

o    Administer events’ evaluation surveys.

7)     Knowledge transfer

o    Continuously enhancing and refreshing existing templates and guides, while also assist in crafting new templates and tools to streamline the execution of future similar events.

o    Brief event scientific coordinators/facilitators/teachers on available processes and tools (e.g. Teams, IARC learning platform)

WHO COMPETENCIES

·         Teamwork*

·         Respecting & promoting individual and cultural differences*

·         Communication*

·         Technical expertise.

·         Producing results.

FUNCTIONAL SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

Essential:

·         Proven ability to coordinate a variety of tasks while maintaining a rigorous attention to detail and accuracy.

·         Excellent interpersonal skills, service and support-oriented and ability to work in a multicultural environment, with tact and diplomacy.

·         Demonstrated organizational skills and ability to provide support to individuals at all levels

·         Demonstrated competence in online and onsite events’ organisation

·         Demonstrated familiarity with relevant tools and software such as Teams, zoom, Moodle or other learning management systems. 

Desirable:

·         Knowledge and demonstrated competence of training design and implementation principles.

·         Good knowledge of other relevant tools such as online surveys, newsletters.

·         Demonstrated competencies in project management.

·         Ability to perform editorial work of a non-technical nature.

·         Knowledge of WHO/IARC regulations and procedures

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

Essential: Graduation from secondary school complemented by Brevet de technicien supérieur “BTS” or equivalent level, and a training in communication, education, arts & humanities, management or relevant field.

Desirable: University degree in a relevant field and/or formal qualification in training design or event management.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Essential: At least three years’ experience in similar position(s) involving online and onsite event organization. 

Desirable:

·         Experience in training design and/or learning event organisation.

·         UN experience or experience in international, inter-governmental work setting with a sound knowledge of rules, practices and procedures; project management experience.

USE OF LANGUAGE SKILLS

Excellent knowledge of English is essential. Working knowledge of French is desirable.

OTHER SKILLS (e.g. IT)

Excellent knowledge of Microsoft 365 package.

REMUNERATION

The fixed remuneration for the above position currently amounts to EUR 3,396 per month, and is expressed net of income tax but before deduction of the employee share contributions for mandatory participation in the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF) and in the Organization’s private insurance plans covering health, accident, illness and disability.

Other benefits include different types of leave and allowances for dependent family members.Employment status is that of an international civil servant.

Note: due to the legal status of WHO/IARC as an international organization, its staff do not contribute to and do not generate benefits in French mandatory schemes for health insurance (“assurance maladie”), pension (“assurance vieillesse/retraite or unemployment (“Pôle-Emploi”) throughout their period of employment with the Agency.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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

·          This post is subject to local recruitment and will ideally be filled by persons residing within the local commuting area of the duty station.

·          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 may be 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.