Public Health Officer, P3

Position description

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 Early Detection, Prevention and Infections branch (EPR) is investing in projects aimed at evaluating new and existing cancer early detection and prevention strategies and programs globally, including performing situational analysis and providing evidence-based strategies for effective country level actions in the context of national cancer control planning and research for implementation. The project(s) involve(s) coordinating major international and national network of stakeholders (including MoH representatives and WHO national/regional offices) and local partners, with the long-term objective to improve cancer control plans and quality assurance on cancer early detection programmes.

Cancer control is receiving increased priority globally as governments recognize and respond to the non-communicable disease (NCD) agenda, led by the World Health Organization (WHO). As an international Agency and part of the WHO, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) supports countries in evaluating their cancer prevention and screening at national and sub-national levels identifying context-appropriate evidence-based public health strategies to be adopted through research for implementation.

The projects perform a comprehensive evaluation and provide evidence-based strategies for effective country level actions in the context of national cancer control planning and research for implementation. The project(s) involve(s) coordinating major international and national network of stakeholders (including MoH representatives and WHO national/regional offices) and local partners, with the long-term objective to improve cancer control plans and quality assurance on cancer early detection programmes.

This position will support to improve the cancer outcomes for multiple cancer sites, as well as support other related projects in different countries, by evaluating their cancer screening programmes (capacity assessment, governance, readiness for change, information system, etc.) and its integration/impact in the health system; promoting capacity building; provide strategic directions, guidance and support to stakeholders of different cultures and backgrounds; proposing evidence-based interventions to tackle identified gaps and barriers, and implementing pilot studies.

The incumbent will be involved in coordinating projects that assess cancer control practices, health systems, and related policies across various countries. It emphasizes strengthening capacity through knowledge sharing in cancer prevention and early detection. Additionally, it supports the implementation of funded initiatives aimed at reducing the cancer burden by promoting evidence-based, quality-assured, and sustainable prevention and screening programs.

Early detection and prompt treatment of cancer are important components of comprehensive cancer control. Aligned with senior scientists, the role involves strategic leadership and coordination with both national and international stakeholders to advance research in cancer prevention and early detection. This includes independently conducting health system analyses and producing actionable outputs such as reports, guidelines, implementation strategies and action plans, and public health policy documents. The position also provides strategic guidance and operational support to partner institutions for both ongoing and new projects, ensuring alignment with broader public health goals.

Additionally, the role encompasses capacity building through the design and delivery of capacity building and training programs, and extends to supervising junior staff and researchers, including Masters, PhD, and post-doctoral students. A key responsibility is securing funding by applying for grants and serving as Principal Investigator for projects that align with the organization’s strategic objectives

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The incumbent will perform the below duties:

• Lead and coordinate complex, multi-country public health projects in cancer control, with a focus on focused on evaluating cancer control policies and practices, strengthening capacity for the implementation and continuous improvement of population-based cancer early detection programmes aligned with WHO/IARC guidelines and international quality standards. This includes managing project planning, stakeholder engagement, and oversight of in-country activities and the following specific duties:
  • Provide high-level technical support and strategic advice, guidance and support stakeholders of different cultures and backgrounds, including national health authorities, particularly Ministries of Health, on strengthening early detection and screening programmes, This includes leading meetings with Ministries of Health representatives and senior government officials;
  • Represent IARC/WHO at high-level technical meetings, working groups and expert consultations, acting as a subject matter expert in cancer early detection and public health systems strengthening;
  • Coordinating country missions, consultations and multi-stakeholder engagements;
  • Mapping of health services and data flow related to cancer early detection continuum;
  • Develop and apply comprehensive protocols and analytical tools to assess the current health information systems, identifying existing gaps and opportunities for enhancement, while simultaneously evaluating the effectiveness and performance of ongoing cancer early detection programs through detailed situational analyses;
  • Evaluate, independently, the performance of existing cancer early detection programmes, by performing health system situational analysis, gap and SWOT analysis, stakeholders mapping and engagement plan, health system capacity assessment, barriers assessment, policy and regulatory review;
  • Designing context-specific recommendations, action and implementation plans aligned with WHO frameworks and international quality standards, potentially to be evaluated through implementation research;
  • Serve as the technical focal point and implementation lead for multi-country projects in early detection;
  • Provide technical support and guidance to country counterparts and partners for programme implementation and field studies in cancer early detection;
  • Ensure methodological rigour, monitoring and quality assurance across project phases;
  • Drafting reports, guidelines, protocols, policy briefs and other public health policy documents, as well as manuscripts for peer-reviewed journals.
• Lead and coordinate capacity-building and institutional development:
  • Design, implement, manage and monitor capacity-building initiatives, including Training of Trainers;
  • Mentor and supervise junior staff and researchers (MSc, PhD and/or post-doc students).
• Develop grant applications, concept notes, and donor reports to sustain and expand EPR programme activities. The incumbent is responsible for authoring and submitting applications for funding support, serving as a key contributor to the strategic expansion of these projects;
• Contributes to the development and execution of cross-cutting EPR priorities:
  • Design, planning, and/or conduct of other studies relevant to EPR objectives;
  • Lead implementation and oversight of externally funded projects on early detection strategies;
  • Carry out other related duties as assigned by the supervisors.

WHO COMPETENCIES

• Producing results;
• Fostering integration and teamwork;
• Communication;
• Building and promoting partnerships across the organisation and beyond;
• Creating an empowering and motivating environment.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• Essential: MD or MBBS, with specialization or Master’s in Public Health or in another closely related field;
• Desirable: PhD in Public Health or another closely related field.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Essential:

• At least 5 years of progressively responsible experience in public health programme planning, implementation, and evaluation, with at least 2 years at the international level, part of which in cancer prevention and early detection;
• Demonstrated experience working directly with Ministries of Health and international stakeholders;
• Proven leadership in managing public health projects and technical teams involving cancer control programmes, and evaluation of health systems.

Desirable:

• Proven history of attracting funding/grants.

FUNCTIONAL SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

Essential:

• Advanced theoretical and practical knowledge of cancer control (notably early detection and prevention), and implementation within public health systems;
• In-depth understanding of the organization, governance and financing of health care systems, particularly in relation to cancer screening and prevention services;
• Proven ability to provide high-level technical guidance and strategic advice to senior stakeholders, including Ministries of Health and international agencies (e.g. UN offices, research partners, funding bodies);
• Strong analytical skills, including the ability to design and interpret situational analyses, evaluate programme performance, and develop evidence-based recommendations to inform national policies;
• Demonstrated ability to lead the drafting of high-quality technical documents, including evaluation reports, strategic plans, action and implementation plans, policy briefs, and peer-reviewed publications;
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with a proven track record of engaging effectively with multidisciplinary teams and partners across diverse institutional and cultural settings;
• Familiarity with the preparation of grant applications.

Desirable:

• Ability to draft scientific manuscripts.

USE OF LANGUAGE SKILLS

• Expert knowledge of English is essential. Working knowledge of another UN official language is an asset.

OTHER SKILLS (IT SKILLS)

• Knowledge of Microsoft office 365 office package;
• Knowledge of virtual meeting applications i.e. Teams, Zoom, Webex, Google meet, etc.

Application instructions

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