Research 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
Reporting to the Laboratory Head, and with leadership from the Director of the Joint FAO/IAEA Programme, the Research Entomologist ensures that the activities of the research group on rearing, sterilization and quality control of major plant insect pests at the Insect Pest Control Laboratory contribute to the results based sub-programme relating to the development of the SIT for sustainable protection of agricultural production systems.
Role
The Research Entomologist is: (1) a technical lead of the Plant Pest team, ensuring the efficient and effective management of assigned staff and resources in line with quality management standards and a results based approach; (2) a technical specialist, leading the development and implementation of R&D activities, training and laboratory service, and; (3) a technical officer, providing technical support to technical cooperation (TC) projects, and to coordinated research projects (CRPs) in the area of the development of the SIT for fruit fly pests and other plant pests.
Functions / Key Results Expected
- Lead the development, adaptation and validation of technologies related to the control of fruit flies and other major plant pests in the context of area-wide integrated pest management programmes incorporating the sterile insect technique (SIT) and, in alignment with the FAO and IAEA programmes and the identified needs of Member States, plan, monitor and transfer these technologies to Member States, including through the organization of training programmes for scientists and plant protection officers.
- Develop and introduce innovative R&D approaches to the plant pest activities of the insect pest control sub-programme, including on-site laboratory activities at the Insect Pest Control Laboratory, and within CRPs and TC projects undertaken at institutes in Member States. Provide substantive input into the planning and management of the scientific and technical aspects of this sub-programme and propose novel directions and approaches that enhance the sub-programme’s ability to support ongoing and future activities leading to sustainable development in Member States.
- Provide support and guidance to visiting scientists, fellows and collaborators from national, regional and international research institutes who will be hosted at the Insect Pest Control Laboratory to conduct R&D in support of SIT for fruit flies and/or other major plant pests.
- Provide assistance in the development of manuals, guidelines, books, brochures, standard operating procedures on various aspects of SIT for fruit flies and other plant pests in the context of area-wide integrated pest management. Ensure the timely delivery of the group’s commitments under the insect pest control sub-programme and contribute to annual reports, newsletters, and external and internal sub-programme evaluations.
- Ensure, through a continuous and concerted focus on outreach activities and by keeping abreast of emerging technologies and developing, adapting and implementing relevant technologies, that the most relevant and efficient technologies are deployed in controlling the fruit fly and other plant pests in Member States.
- Plan and implement the work of the Plant Pest group in the Insect Pest Control Laboratory through efficient management of the human and physical resources. Effectively manage staff, generate work plans, order supplies, monitor work performance and assess staff development needs. In close consultation with the Head of the Insect Pest Control Laboratory, identify appropriate human, physical and technical resource requirements and locate external consultants 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. |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Plant Protection | Insect Pest Control | Expertise in the mass-rearing, quality control, radiation biology of fruit flies and other major plant pests in relation to the use of the sterile insect technique. |
Qualifications, Experience and Language skills
- An advanced university degree in entomology or related biological sciences.
- At least 7 years of working experience, of which at least half should have been at the international level, in one or more of the following areas: insect colonization, mass rearing, behavioural ecology and quality control of various fruit flies and/or other major plant pests, and assessment/management of insect genetic sexing strains.
- Experience in the identification and application of pest control practices that reduce losses caused by fruit flies and/or other plant pests and that will contribute to overcome phytosanitary barriers, facilitate international trade, reduce insecticide use and promote a cleaner environment.
- Practical field experience in the integrated application of the SIT as part of area-wide integrated pest management programmes.
- International experience in developing countries working on TC programmes.
- Experience in leading and implementing complex plant protection projects in a multidisciplinary and multicultural environment.
- Experience in editing, formatting and publishing technical guidelines, manuals, standard operational procedures and scientific documents.
- Awareness of relevant FAO and IAEA mechanisms and procedures, including the implementation of CRPs and TC projects would be a strong asset.
- Ability to formulate and undertake research programmes and projects within the tasks and activities assigned to the Insect Pest Control Laboratory.
- Ability to identify technical problems and effectively contribute to their solutions.
- 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 $ 35802*, 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.
