Quality Assurance 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 Technical Cooperation (TC) consists of the Office of the Deputy Director General, four regional Divisions (Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Europe and Latin America and the Caribbean), the Division of Programme Support and Coordination and the Division of the Programme of Action for Cancer Therapy (PACT). It provides strategic direction for the IAEA’s technical cooperation programme, and is responsible (in close collaboration with Member States) for the planning, formulation, implementation and monitoring of the programme, in line with the IAEA Medium Term Strategy.
The Division of Programme Support and Coordination (TCPC) is responsible for the development, promotion and consistent application of strategies, policies, standards, tools and systems to support the TC programme. This includes quality assurance and enhanced results-based programme management, training and capacity development, expanded cooperation through existing and new partnerships and resource mobilization, efficient management of financial resources, data and information, as well as outreach and reporting.
The Quality Assurance Section (TCQAS) is responsible for the management of quality in TC process and policy development. It defines quality criteria, performance indicators and review mechanisms and facilitates their implementation, promotes results based management as an approach to quality, and prepares and delivers training and learning tools for IAEA staff and Member State personnel involved in the TC programme.
Main Purpose
As a member of a team led by the Section Head, and in close cooperation with TC Directors, Section Heads and programme managers, the Quality Management Specialist develops, promotes, and implements quality management policies, procedures and processes to ensure continuing improvement of the efficiency and effectiveness of the TCP in terms of serving Member States.
Role
The Quality Management Specialist plays the roles of: Expert, developing a quality management framework with the needs of the Member States and the Agency in mind; Adviser to other TC professionals in implementing quality management and advising management on programme and project quality issues; Facilitator, reviewing quality management activities and work processes, and providing information, advice and training to the Department staff on quality management matters.
Functions / Key Results Expected
Acts as focal point for the development and implementation of quality management for the TCP. This includes developing, refining and advising on quality management criteria and result indicators for the TCP and country and regional level projects (with focus on outcomes), developing a project level monitoring and reporting system, developing efficiency indicators of overall TCP performance and establishing/monitoring quality standards of TC processes and procedures.
Coordinates and supports, in cooperation with staff of all five TC divisions, the further development and enhancement of the TCP cycle management framework with focus on design, monitoring and self-assessment.
Identifies, analyses and consolidates best practices and lessons learned, coordinates project and programme assessments and establishes/supervises the maintenance of a database on lessons learned.
Documents, enhances and monitors procedures and guidelines for programme management and leads continual improvement activities to support process efficiency. Manages a central repository of TCP processes and procedures to facilitate knowledge and best practice sharing in the Department.
Coordinates the interface with the Office of Internal Oversight Services, the External Auditors and the Joint Inspection Unit on independent programme evaluations, audits and other studies relating to the improvement of TCP quality.
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 |
|---|---|
| Client orientation | Helps clients to analyse their needs. Seeks to understand service needs from the client’s perspective and ensure that the client’s standards are met. |
| Commitment to continuous process improvement | Plans and executes activities in the context of quality and risk management and identifies opportunities for process, system and structural improvement, as well as improving current practices. Analyses processes and procedures, and proposes improvements. |
| 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. |
Qualifications, Experience and Language skills
Master’s Degree – Quality management, business administration or related field.
Bachelor’s Degree – Quality management, business administration or related field plus 3 years of relevant work experience may be considered in lieu of the Advance university degree.
7 years of experience in management, with emphasis on TC management and quality management, of which at least 3 years at the international level.
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.
