Nutrition Specialist(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 Division of Human Health is organized into four Sections whose objectives are to enhance the capabilities of Member States to address needs related to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of health problems through the development and application of nuclear techniques within a framework of quality assurance.
The Nutritional and Health-Related Environmental Studies Section’s aim is to assist Member States in combating malnutrition throughout the human lifecycle by contributing technical expertise in the use of nuclear techniques, in particular stable isotope techniques, for the development and evaluation of nutritional interventions. Malnutrition covers a wide spectrum, the priority areas of which include maternal and child nutrition, obesity and non-communicable disease prevention, and food based strategies to combat micronutrient deficiencies.
Main Purpose
As a team member reporting to the Section Head, the Nutrition Specialist will formulate and implement nutrition projects to combat malnutrition in all its forms in IAEA Member States.
Role
The Nutrition Specialist is an expert, in particular in the use of nuclear techniques in nutrition, within the Section, and a key contributor to the IAEA’s activities in human nutrition.
Functions / Key Results Expected
Conceptualize, design and implement CRPs. This includes evaluation of proposals for research contracts and agreements, organization of technical meetings and preparation of reports and other relevant documents.
Provide technical assistance to nutrition projects supported by the IAEA technical cooperation programme. This includes evaluation of project ideas, development of project designs and workplans, planning and implementation of training courses and coordination meetings and participation in missions to IAEA recipient countries.
Develop guidelines and distance learning modules on nuclear techniques in nutrition.
Organize technical meetings and consultants meetings to review current knowledge in nutrition.
Prepare reports, proceedings and scientific publications.
Represent the IAEA at international meetings as required.
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 |
|---|---|
|   | |
| 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. |
|   | |
| 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. |
|   | |
| 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. |
Required Expertise
| Function | Name | Expertise Description |
|---|---|---|
|   |   |   |
| Nutrition | Micronutrients in Nutrition | Experience in studies in micronutrient bioavailability and status using stable isotope techniques |
|   |   |   |
| Nutrition | Project Management | Experience in project design, monitoring and evaluation |
|   |   |   |
| Nutrition | Quality Management (QM) and Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) | Hands on laboratory experience |
|   |   |   |
| Nutrition | Stable Isotope Techniques in Human Nutrition | Excellent knowledge of relevant analytical techniques |
Qualifications, Experience and Language skills
Doctorate Degree – in nutrition, nutritional biochemistry, physiology or a related field.
Minimum of seven years of relevant professional experience in nutrition, including at least five years of experience with nuclear techniques in nutrition.
Experience with international project coordination.
Experience in studies of energy metabolism and body composition, infant and young child feeding, micronutrient bioavailability and status, or health effects of the environment using stable isotope techniques.
Familiarity with and understanding of the specific needs and conditions of low-income countries and proven ability in strengthening human capacity development in low-income countries an asset.
Teaching experience an asset.
Recent publications in international peer reviewed journals and/or other relevant publications.
Excellent oral and written command of English. Knowledge of other official IAEA languages (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, 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 $ 38431*, 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.
