Part-Time Consultant for Enhanced Cancer Care

Job Posting Organization:
The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health. Established on April 7, 1948, WHO has a mission to promote health, keep the world safe, and serve vulnerable populations. With a workforce of over 7,000 employees, WHO operates in more than 150 countries, providing leadership on global health matters, shaping the health research agenda, setting norms and standards, and providing technical support to countries. The organization is committed to achieving universal health coverage and addressing health emergencies, while also promoting healthier populations.

Job Overview:
The primary objective of this consultancy is to establish foundational elements for enhanced cancer care in Afghanistan. This includes launching clinical services, piloting community-based support, initiating new clinical departments, and building frameworks for workforce training. The consultant will work closely with the NCD team, the Ministry of Health (MoH), and the National Cancer Control Program, as well as healthcare institutions like the Cancer Centre at Ali Abad Teaching Hospital. The role is crucial in developing sustainable solutions to improve oncology services, expand palliative care, enhance chemotherapy management, and strengthen early detection and patient navigation. The consultant will coordinate various components of the project, ensuring that all activities align with the overarching goals of improving cancer care in Afghanistan.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Part-Time Consultant will be responsible for the overall coordination and successful execution of several key components during this foundational phase. This includes:

• Clinical Oncology Training for Health Professionals: Developing and finalizing a comprehensive clinical oncology training curriculum, coordinating and conducting initial online and in-person training for health professionals from four new oncology centres, and performing pre- and post-training assessments.
• Launch of WebApp for Early Detection and Networking: Overseeing the final development, testing, and launch of a WebApp, integrating clinical guidelines, conducting initial training for health professionals on its use for case management, and proposing a system for incentivizing healthcare professionals.
• Piloting a Home-Based Women-to-Women Support Program in Kunduz: Collaborating with an NGO to oversee the recruitment and initial training of female community health workers, developing a Training Guide for Community Support Ladies, and initiating the pilot program to support destitute patients receiving chemotherapy.
• Launching Patient Navigation and Prevention Clinics: Coordinating with designated centres to set up and launch four new clinics for patient navigation, prevention, and early detection, ensuring clinics are equipped and staff are trained on initial protocols.
• Establishment of a Pilot Palliative Care Department: Providing technical support for the establishment of a pilot Palliative Care department at Herat Oncology Center and offering on-site technical support during the initial setup phase.

Required Qualifications:
The ideal candidate must possess a Master's level or advanced degree in Oncology, Palliative Care, Public Health, or a related field such as Epidemiology. They should have 5 to 10 years of relevant experience in managing complex health system strengthening projects, preferably in oncology or non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in low-resource settings. International experience is mandatory, along with direct experience in medical curriculum development and health workforce training. Familiarity with digital health tools and community-based health programs is essential, as is a strong understanding of the cultural and operational context in Afghanistan. Excellent communication, reporting, and multi-stakeholder coordination skills are also required.

Educational Background:
Candidates must have a Master's level or advanced degree in a relevant field such as Oncology, Palliative Care, Public Health, or Epidemiology. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of cancer care and public health initiatives in Afghanistan.

Experience:
Candidates should have between 5 to 10 years of relevant experience in managing health system strengthening projects, particularly in oncology or NCDs within low-resource settings. International experience is a must, as well as direct involvement in medical curriculum development and health workforce training. Familiarity with digital health tools and community-based health programs is also important, along with a strong understanding of the cultural and operational context in Afghanistan.

Languages:
Expert knowledge of English is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of Dari and/or Pashto is considered an asset, as it will facilitate communication with local stakeholders and enhance the effectiveness of the consultant's work in Afghanistan.

Additional Notes:
This consultancy is part-time, with a significant portion of the work conducted in person at the duty station in Kabul, Afghanistan. The consultant is expected to travel for on-job training and program launches as outlined in the travel schedule. All travel arrangements will be made by WHO, and while on mission, the consultant will receive a subsistence allowance. The selected consultant will also need to provide a medical certificate of fitness for work and fulfill visa requirements. The WHO is committed to diversity and inclusion, encouraging applications from women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of underrepresented Member States. An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential, and WHO has zero tolerance towards any form of abusive conduct.