PURPOSE OF POSITION 

The objective of the IARC is to promote international collaboration in cancer research.

The Early Detection, Prevention, and Infections (EPR) Branch focuses its research on the evaluation of multi-level/multi-component interventions (i.e., vaccination, screening) to decrease cancer incidence, improve cancer early diagnosis, and decrease cancer mortality in high- and low- and middle-income countries using a wide range of methodological frameworks. EPR studies will contribute towards WHO global cervical cancer and Hepatitis elimination targets for 2030, as well as WHO global breast cancer initiative targets.

The position provides support in advanced quantitative methods, epidemiological modelling, biostatistical and data analyses in the Public Health Decision Science (PHDS) Team and the EPR Branch, focusing on but not limited to cervical cancer.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the supervision of the EPR scientists, the incumbent is expected to:

1)      Provide support of epidemiological modelling and data analyses to the EPR Branch and more specifically the PHDS Team by:

·        Writing own or adapting existing scripts and analytical packages for preparation of input parameter to be used for epidemiological modelling regarding including but not limited to cervical cancer prevention (estimation and imputation of epidemiological indicators of cervical cancer, estimation of performance indicators of cervical cancer screening and HPV vaccination, systematic reviews and meta-analyses) using data obtained from internal or external collaborators and other sources such as public repositories.

·        Writing own or adapting existing scripts and analytical packages for running dynamical transmission model for cancer-related infections focusing but not limited to cervical cancer.

·        Contributing to study design and questionnaire design of new studies conducted by the Team or Branch in collecting novel data to be used in epidemiological modelling.

2)      Assist the PHDS Team and EPR Branch scientists in biostatistics and data analysis by:

·        Developing or adapting conceptual statistical and mathematical frameworks for data analyses including (but not limited to) tertiary analysis, data integration, interpretation, visualization, and submission to central repositories.

·        Formulating and executing statistical analysis plans.

·        Formatting and communicating data user-friendly reporting and visualization for inclusion in scientific presentations and publications.

3)      Participate in the Agency’s central epidemiological modelling and biostatistics activities:

·        Ensuring that the newly deployed methodologies in the PHDS Team and the EPR Branch are available across IARC and to the wider scientific community, as appropriate.

·        Sharing expertise with epidemiological modelling and biostatistics in other IARC groups by participating in working groups, seminars, and internally organized trainings.

4)      Interact with other groups at IARC, in particular the Information Technology Services (ITS) and provide input as to whether the high-performance computing and information technology resources developed at IARC meet the needs of the EPR branch; this may include membership in the IARC Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Steering Committee.

5)      Interact with external collaborators wherever relevant epidemiological modelling, biostatistics and data analysis knowledge is required, by discussing issues of common interest related to large data sets and their analysis for collaborative projects.

6)    Keep abreast of technological developments of resources and tools of epidemiological modelling and biostatistics and tools relevant to the projects conducted in the PHDS Team and the EPR Branch, producing regular activity reports and presenting progress and results during group and branch meetings.

7)    Perform other relevant duties as requested by the supervisor.

WHO COMPETENCIES

·        Teamwork.

·        Moving forward in a changing environment.

·        Communication.

·        Producing results.

·        Technical expertise.

FUNCTIONAL SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

Essential:

1)      Knowledge of R for statistical computing and data visualization and of one or more scripting or programming languages (e.g., Python and Matlab).

2)      Good general understanding of cancer and infectious disease epidemiology.

3)      Ability to:

a.  Design, optimize and implement epidemiological modelling and biostatistics workflows for analysis of complex data.

b.  Clearly communicate results to a variety of audiences both orally and in writing.

c.  Work autonomously and prioritize work in a demanding work environment.

d.  Create clear, concise figures for publications.

e.  Work harmoniously as a member of a team with people of diverse educational and cultural backgrounds.

Desirable: 

1)      Knowledge of additional statistical packages and programming languages (e.g., SAS).

2)      Usage of Unix/Linux environment.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

Essential: Graduation from secondary school or equivalent, and subsequent training (BTS, DUT or equivalent) in epidemiological modelling, biostatistics, or related field.

Desirable: University degree in epidemiological modelling, biostatistics, or related field.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Essential: At least five years’ experience in epidemiological modelling and biostatistics part of which in programming (R) or related scripting languages.

Desirable: Experience in research environment. Experience in high performance computing, cluster management, usage of Unix/Linux environment.

USE OF LANGUAGE SKILLS

Expert knowledge of English is essential. Intermediate 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 3,766 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.