Livestock Geneticist / Breeder(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 and environmental protection.
The Animal Production and Health Section and Laboratory assist Member States in improving livestock productivity through the efficient use of locally available feed resources, reproduction and breeding practices, and disease diagnostic tools and control measures.
Main Purpose
As a member of a team led by the Section Head, the Livestock Geneticist/Breeder provides expertise and services in the optimal utilization of local livestock genetic resources to ensure maximum productivity and the maintenance of biodiversity. She/he also provides technical and strategic advice and services to FAO and IAEA Member States through design, technical backstopping, and support for the implementation and appraisal of projects aimed at the sustainable enhancement of animal production.
Role
The Livestock Geneticist/Breeder is: (1) a technical officer and research coordinator, ensuring the efficient and effective development, implementation and dissemination of research, training and scientific and technical knowledge, and evaluating and implementing TC projects and coordinated research projects (CRPs) for the IAEA and FAO; (2) a technical expert, planning and conducting technical meetings and project review missions; (3) a facilitator, working with Member States to meet their national and regional agricultural development objectives, and; (4) a liaison with relevant stakeholders on issues related to the transfer of sampling and analytical technologies to Member States.
Functions / Key Results Expected
Provide technical and managerial inputs to the animal breeding and reproduction component of current CRPs and TC projects in the field of animal production and health.
Contribute to upstream planning work for new TC projects, including the preparation of concept papers, participation in pre-project missions, thematic planning exercises and country programme framework missions as required, to evaluate and reformulate TC project requests and make recommendations for inputs when necessary.
Evaluate proposals for research contracts and agreements as well as requests for renewal, and coordinate with staff of the Animal Production and Health Section on research, training and analytical services in support of CRPs.
Plan, organize and conduct consultants meetings; plan and conduct training courses and regional seminars and participate in national and international expert consultations, symposia and workshops as required. Travel will be involved.
Contribute to the preparation and review of biennial FAO/IAEA programmes, work plans, budgets, biannual newsletters and periodic updating of the Section’s website.
The incumbent may perform his/her work in areas involving exposure to radioactive materials. Therefore, as an Occupationally Exposed Worker, he/she must be medically cleared by VIC Medical Service and is subject to an appropriate radiation and health monitoring programme, in accordance with the IAEA’s Radiation Safety Regulations.
Competencies and Expertise
Core Competencies(Competency Framework)
| Name | Definition |
|---|---|
|   | |
| 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. |
|   | |
| 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. |
Functional Competencies
| Name | Definition |
|---|---|
|   | |
| Judgement/decision making | Consults with supervisor/manager and takes decisions in full compliance with the Agency’s regulations and rules. Makes decisions reflecting best practice and professional theories and standards. |
|   | |
| Partnership building | Identifies and builds partnerships. Develops and maintains long lasting partnerships to strengthen relationships. Delivers programmatic outputs and acquires resources in support of Agency goals. |
|   | |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
|   |   |   |
| Animal Science | Animal Production | Ability to understand, develop and apply nuclear and nuclear related molecular techniques for animal genetics, breeding and reproduction for enhanced livestock productivity and biodiversity conservation. |
|   |   |   |
| Training | Training Design | Experience in designing and conducting training. Ability to conduct technical meetings. |
Asset Expertise
| Function | Name | Expertise Description |
|---|---|---|
|   |   |   |
| Animal Health | Animal Diseases | Ability to understand and apply nuclear and nuclear related molecular technologies for genetic disease resistance and long term control of animal diseases. |
Qualifications, Experience and Language skills
Master’s Degree – Advanced university degree or equivalent in veterinary or animal science, with emphasis in livestock genetics, breeding or reproduction. Doctorate degree an advantage.
At least 7 years of post-qualifying experience at the national level in a livestock research institute or university in the area of livestock breeding and reproduction, with at least 5 years of contributions to livestock development, research, teaching and technology transfer programmes of national and international importance.
Experience in planning, implementing and coordinating activities related to the livestock research and development sector.
Experience in managing multidisciplinary projects and participation in international research.
Proven expertise in the use of nuclear and related technologies for the characterization and management of livestock genetic resources, radiation hybrid mapping, development and validation of genomic tools/resources (e.g., DNA microarrays), genome sequencing, trait detection (e.g. QTL, GWAS) and marker assisted selection, bioinformatic analysis, monitoring reproductive efficiency and improving productivity.
Knowledge of and experience in the use of nuclear and related techniques for improving reproductive efficiency and artificial insemination services, radioimmunoassay for hormone estimations and early pregnancy diagnosis, advanced techniques for sperm evaluation and assessment of male fertility.
Knowledge of smallholder farming systems in developing countries.
Working knowledge of international organizations, such as FAO and other UN organizations, and advanced research institutes desirable.
Understanding of coordinated research and TC project life cycles.
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 $ 35415*, 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.
