Post Date: Oct 28, 2024

Closing Date: Nov 10, 2024

Reference: WHOAFG-2024-10-27

Number of Vacancies: 1

Salary Range: As per company salary scale

Years of Experience: 2 years

Probation Period: 3 month

Contract Type: Contractor

Contract Duration: 6 month

Contract Extensible: Maybe

Minimum Education: Bachelor’s Degree

Gender: Any

About World Health Organization

The World Health Organization (WHO) is the technical and coordinating authority for health within the United Nations system. It is responsible for providing leadership in global health matters, shaping the health research agenda, setting norms and standards, articulating evidence-based policy options, providing technical and implementation support and monitoring and assessing health trends.

In Afghanistan, WHO works to improve the health and well-being of all Afghans by preventing and reducing mortality, morbidity and disability and strengthening health services in close coordination with national and international partners.

Job Summary

The burden of NCDs, including cancer in Afghanistan is on an upward trajectory. Conditions such as cardiovascular diseases, cancers, respiratory diseases, and diabetes are among the most prevalent NCDs. A study conducted in northern Afghanistan in 2018 showed that the prevalence of coronary artery disease among patients was 17.4%, with female patients having a higher prevalence rate than male patients. According to WHO, NCD account for around 46% of mortality in Afghanistan with a transition towards a heavier burden by 2030 More than 60% of mortality mainly among women by 2030. There is no cancer care being done at all the 34 provincial hospitals and majority of patients who seek tertiary cancer care have their cancer already at Stage 3 or Stage 4 with metastasis already. Basic Package of Health Services (BPHS), and Essential Package of Hospital Services (EPHS), have historically underrepresented the critical need for NCDs and cancer prevention, community education, early detection, treatment, and palliative care. Consequently, NCDs and cancer services remain sparse, predominantly centralized in Kabul. Afghanistan has a high prevalence of cardiovascular disease with around 40195 deaths annually due to coronary artery disease annually.

The project aims to bridge the current gaps in NCDs response at both national and subnational levels by bolstering diagnostic and case detection capabilities, refining the surveillance system, and enhancing case management across country. Through these concerted efforts, the initiative will contribute significantly to the mitigation of the NCDs burden and the improvement of long-term health outcomes for the Afghan population.

The National Cancer Technical Officer will be based in Kabul and will be managing, implementing, and monitoring of accessibility of the Afghan population to quality Cancer screening, diagnostic, management and treatment, including coordination with stakeholders. He/she will closely coordinate with the National Technical Officer for NCD and National Technical Officer for NCD and Cancer Community -Based Intervention. This role involves coordinating all project activities, ensuring alignment with project goals, collaborating with healthcare professionals, stakeholders, DfA, and communities. Coordinate and work closely with the International NCD Technical Officer.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Help in review the current available policies and strategies related to cancer particularly prevention, diagnosis, management and treatment, including palliative care in the country

• Assist to develop project implementation cancer work plans in accordance to the project timeline

• Provide support on Cancer project monitoring checklist in line with project indicators – monitor project progress and adjust activities as necessary to meet targets

• Help to design and oversee the implementation of cancer prevention awareness campaigns.

• Assist to ensure accurate and culturally appropriate messaging related to cancer risks, early detection, and treatment options.

• Help to develop educational materials and training modules for healthcare workers and the public.

• Help organize training workshops and seminars for various stakeholders.

• Assist organize and support capacity building training going to be conducted by WHO specific on cancer.

• Prepare and submit regular reports to the project funders, stakeholders, and senior management.

• Help in capacity building of the front line workers specific on cancer screening, HPV vaccination strategy, WHO Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer, Global Breast Cancer Initiative Implementation Framework, Regional Cervical Cancer for EMRO, MPACT Reviews on Evidence-based cancer control planning, including specialized Cancer Care, among many others.

• Assist in procurement of essential cancer medications, supplies and equipments like mammograms, CT scan machine and radiotherapy machines , in collaboration with AIEA.

• Help provide technical support in establishment of Provincial Cancer Supervision and Coaching Teams within the focused provincial hospitals, in support of the de facto NCD Department of MoPH, and HER Project Implementing Partners.

• Help in improving the cancer pathology program implementation, and enhancing the referral system on pathological cancer specimens

• Help in enhancing the support to the National Cancer Hospital/ NCCP Hospital, including the support for the financial support for very poor cancer patients.

• Assist in establishment of NCD Technical Working Group under the Health Cluster

• Improving Cancer surveillance and reporting within WHO and to MoPH, especially on Cancer Registry.

Coordinate with the international NCD Technical Officer

Reporting Responsibilities

The National Cancer Technical Officer will work and be supervised by the Public Health Officer on NCD, MHPSS and DDR, under the overall supervision WHE Team Lead, WHO Country Office Afghanistan.

Job Requirements

Education

• First level university degree in medicine, Public Health, and/or specialization on Internal Medicine and/or specific on cancer care.

Experience

• Two or more years’ experience in NCD intervention specific on non-specialized and specialized levels related to cancer, experience in Healthcare Project Management and /or Health System strengthening.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Knowledge of leadership and management principles

• Knowledge of current community challenges and opportunities

• Having capacity to lead and facilitate structured and non-structured training programs

• Fluent in English, Pashto and Dari, both in written and verbally.

• Teamwork

• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences

• Communication

• Producing results

• Knowing and managing yourself

Languages

• Fluency in English and knowledge of the local languages is required

IT Skills

• Proficiency in current office software applications and corporate IT systems.

Submission Guideline

Interested applicants meeting the above qualifications are requested to submit their applications quoting this Vacancy Announcement Number (WHOAFG-2024-10-27 with their curriculum vitae along with cover letter and National ID (Tazkira) to below mentioned email: emacoafgvacancies@who.int

Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.

ONLY CANDIDATES UNDER SERIOUS CONSIDERATION WILL BE CONTACTED FOR INTERVIEW AND TEST.

ANY APPOINTMENT/EXTENSION OF APPOINTMENT IS SUBJECT TO WHO STAFF REGULATIONS, STAFF RULES AND MANUAL.

WHO is a smoke free Environment.

Contract type, level and duration

– Contract type: Local Individual Contractor Agreement (LICA)

– Contract level: LICA-9 (equivalent to NO-B)

– Contract duration: 6 months, possibility of extension subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

Additional Information

WHO has zero tolerance for sexual misconduct, inaction against it and any form of retaliation against victims/survivors or bystanders who disclose, report, or participate in an investigation. Parallel to technical competence, recruitment, selection and hiring decisions will give due emphasis to assessing candidates value congruence, thorough background checks and reference check processes. This will ensure children and vulnerable adults are safeguarded from abusers and that abusers are prevented from joining WHO Afghanistan office. Please report any concerning information regarding sexual exploitation and abuse by WHO workforce and partners to WHO office of Internal Oversight services at investigations@who.int.

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