Job Description

This position is subject to national recruitment. Only nationals of France can be considered for this selection. If you are not French national, please do NOT apply.

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 role of the Services to Science and Research branch (SSR), led by the Director of Administration and Finance (DAF), is to support the achievement of IARC’s scientific objectives through efficient and effective management of the Agency’s resources; and provision of administrative, legal and operational support services, ensuring accountable risk mitigation and implementing strategies to strengthen capacities and maximize IARC’s impact.

In collaboration with Health and Medical Services (SHW) at WHO/Headquarters (HQ), advise the IARC Administration in all medical matters pertaining to its personnel. The Staff Physician promotes good occupational health by fostering a healthy and safe working environment in order to protect and/or improve the physical and mental health of personnel. The Staff Physician provides care and medical advice to all personnel with particular attention to medical referrals, adjudication, occupational health issues, preventive health care as well as health promotion.

The main purpose of the position is to support the Administration as a focal point on all health-related matters and by providing medical services to WHO/IARC personnel in Lyon, France as well as IARC staff in out-posted offices. The primary areas of responsibility include: medical adjudication, occupational health, preventive health care and health promotion

The incumbent is authorized to make decisions on medical issues and to make recommendations or proposals on matters related to occupational health as well as health promotion. S/he is guided by WHO policy guidelines, Staff Rules & Regulations, IARC Safety Manual, accepted medical norms, administrative procedures established by WHO as well as French regulations with respect to laboratory safety.

A high degree of independent judgment is exercised by the incumbent. General guidelines on administrative issues are received from HRO and DAF, while technical advice and medical guidelines are provided by Director SHW.

The incumbent is required to remain up-to-date on medical advances to ensure that advice provided is compliant with state-of-the-art medical practices and recommendations.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the general supervision of the Director of Administration and Finance (DAF) within the Services to Science and Research branch (SSR), the direct supervision of the Human Resources Officer (HRO), and with technical guidance from Health and Medical Services (SHW), the Staff Physician provides emergency medical care and advice on matters affecting the health status of personnel and their fitness for work, including preventive measures. The staff physician will be based on IARC premises in Lyon and is also expected to provide some services to the staff at the WHO Gerland Office, also located in Lyon by performing the duties below:

Medical services:

1. Manage fitness for duty, reports and pre-employment examinations issued and conducted by authorized physicians outside Lyon. For local candidates, conduct medical examinations/evaluations prior to selection and advise the Administration on the candidates´ medical fitness for the positions for which they are considered. Conduct periodic medical examinations for all WHO/IARC personnel.
2. Conduct medical examinations prior to end of service to determine staff members´ fitness and health status at the time of their separation from the Organization, as per SHW guidelines.
3. For IARC personnel in laboratories, verify medical examination form upon entry and ensure that tests are undergone regularly.
4. Provide clinical services of an emergency nature during working hours, to IARC personnel.
5. Approve/disapprove, monitor and control sick and other related leave of IARC/WHO personnel. Advise the Administration regarding cases of extended and/or frequent sick leave and fitness for duty following recovery from serious illness or accident. Communicate to SHW cases of extended sick leaves that reach Sick Leave Under Insurance Cover (SLIC) and/or need to be presented to the Pension Board for Disability Benefits, as well as medical reports of declaration of accident to submit to the Advisory Committee on Compensation Claims (ACCC). Management of return to work procedures following long term sick leave.
6. Advise IARC personnel on medical fitness prior to departure on mission or change of duty station. Provide travel advice and/or medication prior to travel of staff. Order and manage stocks of medications, vaccines and travel kits.
7. Advise on and provide vaccination services for IARC/WHO personnel.
8. In coordination with SHW, support with medical evacuations for personnel on mission.
9. Ensure that up-to-date medical information and reports are part of IARC personnel’s record and sent to SHW in a timely manner. Maintain confidentiality of all medical records and files.
10. Certify the exactitude of invoices for required medical examinations.

Occupational health & health promotion:

1. Promote sound occupational health policies, practices and procedures by identifying issues, determining actions required and assisting in introducing control measures. Develop and implement healthy workplace promotion programmes, including occupational health issues and health risk assessment such as the Workplace Wellbeing initiative (WINn). Advise on preventive measures to be taken with regard to major diseases, organize health education and awareness programmes. Provide advice for ensuring occupationally safe working conditions for staff members and non-staff members.
2. In conjunction with the Administration, promote proactive occupational health policies and best practices and procedures in the medical service with the objective to optimize the health and well-being of IARC/WHO personnel.
3. Actively participate in IARC Committees that deal with welfare of personnel; e.g. the Staff Physician is an ex officio member of the IARC Occupational Health and Safety Committee (OHSC), which has an advisory role on matters of health, safety and well-being of persons working at the Agency.
4. Undertake other related duties as requested by the supervisor.

WHO COMPETENCIES

• Teamwork.
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences.
• Communication.
• Producing results.
• Moving forward in a changing environment.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

Essential: University Degree in Medicine.

Desirable: Training in primary health care such as family medicine or internal medicine and in Occupational Medicine.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Essential: At least two years’ experience in health services in a large national or international setting in either the private or public sector as an Occupational Health expert.

Desirable: Professional experience in a multicultural environment such as the UN system.

FUNCTIONAL SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

Essential:

• Knowledge and awareness of latest diagnostic techniques and clinical practices;
• Good knowledge of availability of major health care facilities and specialists in the Lyon area.
• Sensitivity to the stress and strain under which the staff members and non-staff work.

Desirable: -

USE OF LANGUAGE SKILLS

Essential: Working knowledge of English and French languages.

OTHER SKILLS ( IT SKILLS)

Knowledge of Microsoft Office software as well as medical management tools such as ‘Préventiel’.

REMUNERATION

The fixed remuneration for the above position currently amounts to EUR 5,602 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 post is subject to national recruitment and will be filled by nationals of the country of the assignment. Therefore, only applications from nationals of the country where the duty station is located (France) will be accepted. Applicants who are not nationals of this country will not be considered.
• This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level or lower.
• 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 maybe 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.
• Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.
• Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with IARC/WHO and an underlying premise of the international civil service. Candidates appointed to an international post with IARC/WHO are subject to mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.