Scientist

**Grade**: P2

**Contractual Arrangement**: Fixed-term appointment

**Job Posting**: Sep 5, 2024, 2:15:30 AM

**Closing Date**: Sep 26, 2024, 4:59:00 PM

**Primary Location**: France-Lyon

**Organization**: Early Detection, Prevention and Infections

**Schedule**: Full-time

**PURPOSE** **OF** **POSITION**

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) is the cancer agency of the World Health Organization (WHO) and is based in Lyon, France.

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 low-and middle-income countries (LMICs) using implementation research 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.

EPR is investing in projects aimed to evaluate new and existing cancer early detection and prevention strategies and programs globally, including performing field research and providing evidence-base for effective country level actions in the context of national cancer control planning and implementation. The projects involve coordinating networks of stakeholders (including MoH representatives and WHO national/regional offices), 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) has a pivotal role to support research and evidence synthesis in cancer prevention and screening and identify context-appropriate public health solutions. This involves conducting implementation research, finding context-appropriate solutions in collaboration with stakeholders and evaluate them in real healthcare settings.

The position contributes to the implementation and coordination of implementation research projects to enhance cancer early detection outcomes within both vulnerable and general populations across diverse settings.

**DESCRIPTION** **OF** **DUTIES**

1 1. Work alongside the supervisor to coordinate implementation research, epidemiology studies, and public health projects in cancer control with a specific emphasis on enhancing population-based cancer early detection programmes in alignment with pertinent WHO/IARC guidelines and quality standards. Key responsibilities include:
a. Implementing and monitoring the progress of the funded project CBIG-SCREEN- Working collaboratively with vulnerable women to identify the best implementation gains by screening cervical cancer more effectively in European countries.

b. Implementing and monitoring the progress of the funded project HPV FASTER- IMPLEMENT- offering combined HPV vaccination and HPV test-based cervical screening to vulnerable populations. A hybrid efficacy and implementation study.

c. Conducts capacity assessment of health systems with the framework of CBIG-SCREEN and HPV FASTER IMPLEMENT projects and designs context-specific interventions

c. Oversees implementation and evaluation of intervention trials in multiple European countries within the framework of CBIG-SCREEN project and preparing reports, manuscripts and deliverables

d. Conducts studies assessing barriers and opportunities to improve access to cancer early detection in different countries using validated tools.

3. Contribute to the design, planning, and/or conduct of training activities relevant to EPR objectives.

4. Supervise junior staff and scientists (MSc, PhD and/or post-doc students).

5. Carries out other related duties as assigned by the supervisor.

**WHO** **COMPETENCIES**
- Producing results.
- Teamwork.
- Communication.
- Creating an empowering and motivating environment.
- Respecting & promoting individual and cultural differences.

**FUNCTIONAL SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE**

**Essential**:

- Advanced theoretical and practical knowledge of cancer control (notably early detection and prevention) and cancer epidemiology.
- Excellent knowledge of functioning of health care systems in diverse settings.
- Ability to communicate effectively with internal and external partners across multiple regions and cultures
- Ability to analyse results of research conducted, identify issues, formulate opinions, make conclusions and recommendations for strengthening health care systems.
- Ability to draft evaluation reports on health systems capacity especially in relation with cancer screening
- Ability to deliver scientific manuscripts.

**Desirable**:Analysis of qualitative and quantitative data from implementation research projects.

**REQUIRED** **QUALIFIC**A**TIONS**

**EDUC**A**TION**

**Essential