Technical Officer

The African Region is disproportionately affected by cervical cancer, with 19 Member States having the highest burden of cervical cancer globally. In South Sudan, recent data from the Global Observatory shows that, cervical cancer was the most common cancer in both males and females of all ages after breast cancer, accounting for 749 cases (10.9%) in 2022.

 This situation is explained by socioeconomic and cultural factors as well as poor access to health care services. In addition, women living with HIV are six times more likely to develop cervical cancer, and to develop it at a younger age than women who are HIV-negative. HIV and cervical cancer are closely interlinked and contribute to the high burden of morbidity and mortality in the Region. Both diseases reflect geographical, gender and socioeconomic inequalities and disparities.

 In response, South Sudan Health Sector Strategic Plan (HSSP) 2023-2027 has prioritized cervical prevention through Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccination and scaling up of cervical cancer screening and treatment services. The HSSP plans for scaling up coverage for cervical cancer screening to 30% of PHCC facilities and hospitals throughout the country. This technical support area contributes to building capacities in the country for achievement of this target.

Key activities  

• Develop an inception report for the task to adapt the guidelines and tools for cervical cancer screening and management.
• Conduct field visits to selected health facilities to assess the suitability for integration of cervical cancer screening and treatment.
• Review current policy documents, guidelines, tools in relation to integrated service delivery.
• Facilitate in workshops for adaptation and validation of guidelines and tools for cervical cancer screening and treatment.
• Write guidelines and tools on cervical cancer screening.
• Train trainers on cervical cancer screening and treatment.
• Facilitate cascade trainings on cervical cancer screening and treatment.
• Write final report on guideline adaptation and trainings of health workers.

Qualifications, experience, skills, and languages:

Educational Qualifications:

Essential:

• Medical doctor with postgraduate training in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Experience:

Essential:

• The technical person should have a minimum of 5 years of progressively working as a medical doctor in the field of obstetrics and gynecology. Specifically, demonstrate experience working in the field of cervical cancer screening using Visual Inspection with Ascetic Acid (VIA) technique..

Skills/Knowledge: 

• Excellent knowledge and expertise of country level situations regarding maternal health. Understanding of WHO’s policies, practices, guidelines, and procedures on cervical cancer specifically the global strategy for elimination of cervical cancer and related tools.
• Extensive knowledge and skills in problem solving, planning and management, monitoring and evaluation, negotiation, and resource mobilization.
• Excellent communication skills, specifically ability to write documents in a logical and professional manner.
• Demonstrated ability to provide sound methodological and technical advice and guidance to multiple stakeholders and partners in countries
• Ability to conduct research and analyze results, identify issues, formulate opinions, make conclusions and recommendations for strengthening health care systems.
• Ability to review and revise policies and objectives of assigned program and activities.
• Demonstrated ability to understand and work on complex policy and programme issues related to cervical cancer.
• Excellent training skills.

Other Skills :

• Excellent knowledge of Microsoft applications (e.g., Excel, Word, PowerPoint, etc) with an emphasis on Excel or a similar workbook application.
• Languages and level required (Basic/Intermediate/Expert):

Essential:

• Excellent knowledge of English.

Source:  https://careers.who.int/careersection/ex/jobdetail.ftl?job=2402389