Medical Officer

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. 

Staff Health and Wellbeing (SHW) develops and implements health policies to protect and promote staff health and advises management on measures to ensure a safe and healthy work environment at all levels of IARC as well as other entities if need arise. SHW provides preventive medical and psychosocial care, first aid and emergency care for staff and acts as medical adviser on staff insurance and disability matters. SHW also provides medical and psychosocial support.

Within Services to Science and Research Branch (SSR), Human Resources Office (HRO), the main objective of IARC Medical Services Unit is to:

·        Prioritize patient-centered care through interdisciplinary collaboration.

·        Foster seamless communication and decision-making among team members from diverse disciplines.

·        Encourage evidence-based practice and continuous learning.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Administratively reporting to Head of HRO, and regular coordination with WHO, and in collaboration with other medical officers, the Medical Officer oversees the health, medical care and well-being of IARC workforce, and provides advice to the Administration on medical related issues, such as medical fitness certificates, workforce health and well-being, safety and hygiene in the workplace. The Medical Officer liaises closely with WHO Staff Physicians for specific cases, extended sick leaves, medical evacuations and any health issue of staff and is responsible for the workforce of the WHO Entities based in Lyon.

In collaboration with other medical officers and under the direct technical supervision of Director Staff Health and Wellbeing (SHW) at WHO HQ, the incumbent will: 

1)      Manage medical and paramedical activities of SHW, organize planned or spontaneous medical appointments, proceed with medical examinations related to employment, duty travel, sick leave, disability, compensation allocations, and provide medical recommendations accordingly.

2)      Ensure that emergency health care is timely provided to staff as needed and that the hygiene and security of the medical service are in line with health standards.

3)      Develop and coordinate training sessions on health and wellbeing for IARC/WHO Staff including first aid training.

4)      Give advice on medical evacuations of field staff and workforce on mission to the field to ensure staff are medically briefed.

5)      Provide individual or collective advice related to preventive medicine, and medical guidance on the preparation of missions (vaccination, malaria prophylaxis, medical kits, and the follow-up of IARC/WHO workforce coming back from mission upon request).

6)      Collaborate on activities related to health and well-being including visiting workstations and corporate catering facilities, checking ergonomics and safety of workstations, study of nuisance to working conditions, etc.

7)      Design training, briefings, and materials, and provide medical guidance to promote health education in the workplace and sensitize IARC/WHO workforce to dangers

8)      Undertake administrative tasks in SHW including: review the medical analysis of reports and the medical examinations conducted externally, and provide subsequent advice and recommendations, follow up on workforce sick leave, provide advice to administration on issues related to layout and ergonomics of work stations, Compile backgrounds for the cases which need to be presented to the pension and compensation committees and request expert advice when appropriate, make medical recommendations on special allowances requests (disabled child dependency allowance, special education grant for disabled children), and collaborate with treating physicians in Lyon or elsewhere.

9)      Monitor, evaluate report on medical data related to IARC/WHO workforce to prioritize SHW interventions.

10)   Provide briefings with advice on medical precautionary behavior patterns adapted to the specific strenuous work environments to ensure the IARC/WHO workforce stay healthy and to avoid infections.

11)   Be deployed to countries in the event of outbreaks or other emergencies to support setting up actions to protect the IARC/WHO workforce’s health and wellbeing.

12)   Be, in turn, on 24/7 on-call duty to coordinate life-threatening medical evacuations and other emergencies. 

13)   Act in turn with other medical officers in the absence of the director SHW at WHO HQ.

14)   Perform all other related duties as required for the smooth operation of the service including when necessary, replacing other colleagues to ensure the continuity and smooth operation of the Staff Health& Wellbeing services.

15)   Analyse medical data and statistics to support management in identifying trends and to implement preventive and proactive measures to encourage health and wellbeing within the workforce.

WHO COMPETENCIES

·        Teamwork.

·        Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences.

·        Communication.

·        Knowing and managing yourself.

·        Moving forward in a changing environment.

·        Creating an empowering and motivating environment.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

Essential: An advanced university degree (master’s level or above) in Medicine.

Desirable: Certificate or relevant experience in Occupational health.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Essential:

·        A minimum of seven years of clinical experience in occupational health, general or internal medicine in private practice, medical center or in a hospital or institutional settings. 

·        Must not have interrupted medical practice for more than one year. 

·        Experience in occupational health.

Desirable:

·        Experience working with International Organizations policies and practices is an advantage.