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 Division 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 Division 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 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

The Medical Entomologist, as a member of the insect pest control subprogramme and reporting to the Head of the Insect Pest Control Laboratory (IPCL), develops appropriate technologies for an outcome-based strategy to assess the feasibility of the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) for human disease vectors (HDVs) and provides technical expertise and support for field feasibility studies.

 

Role

The Medical Entomologist is: (1) a team leader providing vision and direction to scientists and technical staff carrying out R&D and technology transfer activities in relation to the SIT for HDVs; (2) a programme planner, providing input on programme planning and evaluation, and; (3) a promoter creating awareness and pro-actively attracting extrabudgetary funds to support the activities of the HDV group of the IPCL.

 

Functions / Key Results Expected

• Coordinate all activities and staff of the HDVs group of the IPCL and manage its human and financial resources.
• Provide guidance and leadership for the development, testing and improvement of the SIT package for HDVs, including innovative and effective methods of mass-rearing, sterilizing, releasing, evaluating the performance of genetic sexing strains of HDVs, etc.
• Develop, conceptualize, and implement CRPs, including the evaluation of research contracts and agreements, organization of research coordination meetings, and the preparation of meeting reports and other relevant documents.
• Contribute to technology transfer to HDVs control projects that have an SIT component and that are supported by the IAEA technical cooperation programme by developing project concepts, project designs, workplans, planning and implementation of training courses, participating in field missions and training fellows in the field of mosquito rearing and genetics.
• Develop guidelines, manuals, e-learning modules and contribute technical expertise to the organization of technical meetings and consultants meetings in relation to all components of the SIT for HDVs.
• Prepare reports and scientific publications, contribute to a newsletter and website, and represent the IAEA at international meetings.

 

Competencies and Expertise

Core Competencies

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
Animal Health	Insect Pest Control	In-depth knowledge of area-wide integrated pest management (AW-IPM) principles, the SIT, and the biology of HDVs.
Disease Vectors	Insect Pest Control	Knowledge of rearing procedures of HDV’s, radiation sterilization procedures, genetic sexing, handling and transport procedures of sterile insects.

 

Qualifications, Experience and Language skills

Master's Degree - Advanced degree in medical entomology or related biological sciences. PhD level desirable.

Minimum seven years of experience with R&D related to SIT for HDV’s and/or for other pest insects, of which at least 5 years of experience at the international level.
In-depth knowledge of area-wide integrated pest management (AW-IPM) principles , the SIT, and the biology of HDVs.
Practical experience in operational AW-IPM programmes with a SIT component.
Good management capabilities to deal with the necessary administrative formalities of the HDV group, and willingness to travel abroad as needed.
Experience in fund-raising desirable.

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 $ 36266*, dependency benefits, rental subsidy, education grant, relocation and repatriation expenses; 6 weeks' annual vacation, home leave, pension plan and health insurance

 

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Applications from qualified women and candidates from developing countries are 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. Staff members may be assigned to any location. 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. Testing may be part of the recruitment process

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