Entomologist(P4)
JOB DETAIL
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING APPLICATION DEADLINE: Please note that the closing date for submission of applications is indicated in local time as per the time zone of the applicant’s location.
Organizational Setting
The Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications implements the IAEA’s Major Programme 2, “Nuclear Techniques for Development and Environmental Protection”. This Major Programme comprises individual programmes on food and agriculture, human health, water resources, environment and radiation technologies. These programmes are supported by laboratories in Seibersdorf, Monaco and Vienna. The Major Programme’s objective is to enhance the capacity of Member States to meet basic human needs and to assess and manage the marine and terrestrial environments through the use of nuclear and isotopic techniques in sustainable development programmes.
The Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture assists Member States of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the IAEA in using nuclear techniques and related technologies to improve food security, alleviate poverty and promote sustainable agriculture. The Joint Centre consists of five Sections, each with an associated laboratory (located in Seibersdorf, 45 km south-east of Vienna), in the areas of: animal production and health; plant breeding and genetics; insect pest control; soil and water management and crop nutrition; and food safety and control.
The Insect Pest Control Section and Laboratory assist Member States with the development, dissemination and transfer of sterile insect and related environmentally friendly technologies for the area-wide integrated suppression, containment or eradication of major insect pests affecting crops, livestock and human health.
Main Purpose
As a member of a team led by the Head of the Insect Pest Control Section, the Entomologist provides expertise and services in the field of plant insect pests affecting crops in the context of helping MS in the planning and application of area-wide pest management (AW-IPM) programmes integrating the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) and related technologies with other suppression methods.
Role
The Entomologist is: (1) the provider of managerial, technical and economic advice to FAO and IAEA Member States in support of all aspects of SIT planning and application and its integration with other insect pest control methods to address food security and environmental contamination in developing countries; (2) a technical officer, providing technical and related management support and advice to Technical Cooperation Projects (TCPs) on plant insect pests damaging crops and reducing their quality and value; (3) a project officer managing and technically guiding coordinated research projects (CRPs) to develop solutions to technical obstacles experienced in field programmes; and (4) a contributor to policy development, priority setting and other normative and training materials and activities in this field, creating awareness of area-wide pest control approaches, and harmonising and streamlining strategies and contributions, and coordinating with the different in-house and relevant external partners.
Functions / Key Results Expected
Provide technical and strategic advice and services to FAO and IAEA Member States through feasibility studies, economic assessments, the design and technical support to the development, implementation and appraisal of pilot and operational area-wide field projects aimed at the sustainable and environmentally friendly management of major plant insect pests affecting agriculture in Member States.
Undertake field missions, select and brief consultants and experts, monitor technical progress, identify problems and obstacles that may prevent or delay advancement towards the identified project objectives, and generate practical (entomological, engineering and/or management) solutions to eliminate obstacles.
Transfer technology and develops technical capacity in Member States by organizing and lecturing at training courses, workshops and other national, regional and international meetings.
Contribute to policy development, priority setting and other normative and regulatory activities in the field of insect pest control, through the design and conduct of analytical studies and benefit-cost assessments, by participating in advisory committees and task forces, and providing technical input to the policy and standards development of regional and international bodies.
Ensure the visibility and impact of the activities of the Insect Pest Control Section by analysing, synthesizing and disseminating data through public information channels, newsletters, preparing and editing technical manuals, guidelines and training materials, and developing and maintaining information systems, web pages and databases.
Plan, manage, implement and evaluate coordinated research projects, aimed at improving the area-wide application of SIT and other biological control methods, and publishes results in relevant scientific publications. Keep track of relevant research and technical developments, assessing their usefulness to support and improve on-going and future activities leading to more sustainable development in Member States. Suggests innovative R&D approaches, in direct conjunction with activities at the Insect Pest Control Laboratory.
Act as the focal point of all projects/activities delegated to him/her and ensures, as a committed team player in a matrix management environment, efficient utilisation of assigned resources and full coordination and transparency in all activities and deliberations with internal and external stakeholders.
Competencies and Expertise
Core Competencies(Competency Framework)
| Name | Definition |
|---|---|
|   | |
| Communication | Communicates orally and in writing in a clear, concise and impartial manner. Takes time to listen to and understand the perspectives of others and proposes solutions. |
|   | |
| Achieving Results | Takes initiative in defining realistic outputs and clarifying roles, responsibilities and expected results in the context of the Department/Division’s programme. Evaluates his/her results realistically, drawing conclusions from lessons learned. |
|   | |
| Teamwork | Actively contributes to achieving team results. Supports team decisions. |
|   | |
| Planning and Organizing | Plans and organizes his/her own work in support of achieving the team or Section’s priorities. Takes into account potential changes and proposes contingency plans. |
Functional Competencies
| Name | Definition |
|---|---|
|   | |
| Analytical thinking | Analyses information to identify cause and effect relationships and correlations. Identifies critical elements and assesses consequences of different courses of action and proposes solutions. |
|   | |
| Knowledge sharing and learning | Actively seeks learning opportunities and actively shares knowledge and information with others; shares specialized knowledge, skills and learning from experience across different situations and contexts effectively. |
|   | |
| Technical/scientific credibility | Ensures that work is in compliance with internationally accepted professional standards and scientific methods. Provides scientifically/technically accepted information that is credible and reliable. |
Required Expertise
| Function | Name | Expertise Description |
|---|---|---|
|   |   |   |
| Management and Programme Analysis | Analytical Writing Skills | Ability to write clear and concise technical reports, and to prepare effective written and oral presentations. |
|   |   |   |
| Plant Science | Crop Production | Demonstrated ability to plan and evaluate sterile fly releases and entomological monitoring operations, including the use of GIS techniques. |
|   |   |   |
| Information Technology | Data Analysis | Computer application skills, including databases, GIS hard and software, and statistical analysis of field data. |
|   |   |   |
| Public Information and External Relations | General Knowledge of the United Nations System | Awareness of relevant FAO and IAEA mechanisms and procedures. |
|   |   |   |
| Animal Health | Insect Pest Control | Proven ability to manage operational AW-IPM programmes with a SIT component. |
|   |   |   |
| Plant Protection | Insect Pest Control | In-depth knowledge of action programmes integrating SIT application on suppression of plant pest. |
|   |   |   |
| Plant Science | Plant Biotechnology | An understanding and updated technical knowledge of new and upcoming technologies relevant to the improvement of the application of pest control methods in sustainable agricultural development. |
|   |   |   |
| Management and Programme Analysis | Programme Management | Ability to formulate, undertake and evaluate research programmes and projects, conducting meetings and ability to generate extra budgetary funding for field projects and R&D activities. |
|   |   |   |
| Information Technology | Project Management | Ability to carry out economic assessments, feasibility studies and benefit-cost analyses in the context of AW-IPM. |
Qualifications, Experience and Language skills
Master’s Degree – Advanced university degree in biology or related field with special emphasis on entomology.
A minimum of seven years of applied working experience, of which some at the international level, in developing, planning, implementing and evaluating the application of SIT and related techniques as part of area-wide programmes that aim at suppressing, containing or eradicating major plant insect pests, and of which five years of practical management experience directing the AW-IPM application of SIT operations including the large scale mass-production and release of sterile insects and biological control agents and experience with the related economic, environmental, health and quarantine issues.
International experience in developing countries working on technical cooperation programmes dealing with insect pest control.
Experience in coordinating multidisciplinary and multicultural staff and stakeholders implementing complex insect pest control projects.
Experience in contributing, as part of regional and national plant protection organizations, to international standard setting for phytosanitary measures and priority setting in the implementation of insect pest control strategies.
Experience in editing, formatting and publishing technical guidelines, manuals, standard operational procedures and scientific papers.
Computer application skills, including databases, GIS hard and software, and statistical analysis of field data.
Excellent oral and written command of English. Knowledge of other official IAEA languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Russian and Spanish) is an asset.
Remuneration
The IAEA offers an attractive remuneration package including a tax-free annual net base salary starting at US $77326 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance), a variable post adjustment which currently amounts to US $ 44772*, dependency benefits, rental subsidy, education grant, relocation and repatriation expenses; Other benefits include 6 weeks’ annual leave, home leave travel, pension plan and health insurance. More information on the conditions of employment can be found at: https://www.iaea.org/about/employment/professional-staff/conditions
General Information
- The IAEA’s paramount consideration in the recruitment of staff member is to secure employees of the highest standards of efficiency, technical competence and integrity.
- Staff Members shall be selected without any unfair treatment or arbitrary distinction based on a person’s race, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, disability, age, language, social origin or other similar shared characteristic or trait.
- The IAEA is committed to gender equality and to promoting a diverse workforce. Applications from qualified women and candidates from developing countries are strongly encouraged.
- Applicants should be aware that IAEA staff members are international civil servants and may not accept instructions from any other authority. The IAEA is committed to applying the highest ethical standards in carrying out its mandate. As part of the United Nations common system, the IAEA subscribes to the following core ethical standards (or values): Integrity, Professionalism and Respect for diversity.
- The IAEA has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and the IAEA, including sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination.
Evaluation process
- The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the selection criteria stated in the vacancy announcement. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information. Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise, which may be followed by a competency-based interview.
- Candidates under serious consideration for selection may be subject to reference and background checks as part of the recruitment process.
Appointment information
- Appointment is subject to a satisfactory medical report.
- Staff members may be assigned to any location.
- Candidates appointed to posts in the Professional and higher categories are subject to IAEA rotation policy and their maximum tour of service shall normally be seven years.
- The IAEA retains the discretion not to make any appointment to this vacancy, to make an appointment at a lower grade or with a different contract type, or to make an appointment with a modified job description or for shorter duration than indicated above.
