Organizational Unit:
Insect Pest Control Section
Joint FAO/IAEA Division of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture
Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications
Duty Station:
Vienna, Austria
Issue Date:
16 November 2012
Application Deadline:
28 December 2012
Type/Duration of Appointment:
Fixed term, 3 years (subject to a probationary period of 1 year)
Organizational Setting
The Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications implements the IAEA's major programme on nuclear techniques for development and environmental protection (Major Programme 2). This major programme comprises individual programmes in 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 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 is located in the Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications of the IAEA in Vienna. The Joint Division assists Member States of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and IAEA in using nuclear techniques and related technologies to improve food security, alleviate poverty and promote sustainable agriculture. It does so by coordinating and supporting applied research, providing technical and advisory services to Member State field projects as well as laboratory support and training, and collecting, analysing and disseminating information. The Joint Division consists of five sections, each with an associated laboratory, 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 associated laboratories are part of the FAO/IAEA Agriculture & Biotechnology Laboratories (ABL) located in Seibersdorf, 45 km southeast of Vienna.
The Insect Pest Control (IPC) Section assists Member States with the development, dissemination and transfer of sterile insect and related technologies for the area-wide integrated suppression, containment or eradication of major insect pests affecting crops, livestock and human health with the objective of supporting FAO and IAEA Member States in reducing food losses, insecticide use, and disease transmission whilst facilitating international trade in agricultural commodities.
Main purpose
As a member of a team led by the Head of the Insect Pest Control Section, the Entomologist provides expertise and services in the field of insect pests affecting livestock and humans in the context of helping Member States in the planning and application of area-wide integrated pest management (AW-IPM) programmes incorporating SIT and related technologies.
Role
The Entomologist is: (1) the provider of technical advice and technology to FAO and IAEA Member States in support of all aspects of SIT planning and application and its integration with other insect pest control methods to address food security and environmental contamination in developing countries; (2) atechnical officer, providing technical and related management support to technical cooperation projects against insect pests affecting livestock and humans; (3) a scientific officer managing and technically guiding coordinated research projects (CRPs) to develop practical solutions to obstacles experienced in field programmes; and (4) a contributor to policy development, priority setting and other normative and training activities in this field, harmonising and streamlining approaches and contributions by the different in-house and relevant external partners.
Partnerships
The Entomologist engages with scientific and technical counterparts and related stakeholders, at both national and international levels to ensure the effective technology transfer and sharing of scientific and technical information in the area of insect pest control. He/she identifies cross-cutting opportunities for collaborating with appropriate international organizations (e.g. African Union, CGIAR, IFAD, OIE, WHO) and relevant regional partners, with other divisions of FAO and IAEA, as well as other sections within the Joint FAO/IAEA Division.
Furthermore, he/she works with staff in the Department of Technical Cooperation to support national, regional and interregional projects under the IAEA Technical Cooperation Programme. He/she works closely with other staff in the Insect Pest Control Section, and in the Insect Pest Control Laboratory at Seibersdorf, to support coordinated research projects and normative activities. He/she works with colleagues located at FAO headquarters and in FAO regional offices to coordinate on programmatic issues. The Entomologist also interacts with national, regional, and international animal and human health organizations and agricultural research centres.
Functions / Key Results Expected
Provide technical and strategic advice and services to FAO and IAEA Member States through the design and technical backstopping of the implementation and appraisal of field projects aimed at the sustainable and environmentally friendly control of insect pests affecting livestock and humans.
Undertake field missions, select and brief consultants and experts, monitor technical progress, identify problems and obstacles that may prevent or delay advancement towards the identified project objectives, and generate practical (entomological, engineering and/or management) solutions to eliminate obstacles.
Transfer technology and develop technical capacity in Member States by organizing and lecturing at training courses, workshops and other national, regional and international meetings.
Contribute to policy development, priority setting and other normative and regulatory activities in the field of insect pest control, through the design and conduct of analytical studies, participating in advisory committees and task forces, and providing technical input to the policy and standards development of regional and international bodies.
Ensure the visibility and impact of the activities of the Insect Pest Control Section by analysing, synthesizing and disseminating data through public information channels and newsletters, preparing and editing technical manuals, guidelines and training materials, and developing and maintaining information systems, web pages and databases.
Plan, manage and implement coordinated research projects aimed at improving the area-wide application of SIT and other biological control methods, and publishing results in relevant scientific publications.
Keep track of relevant research and technical developments, assessing their usefulness to support ongoing and future activities leading to sustainable development in Member States. Suggest innovative R&D approaches, in direct conjunction with activities of the Insect Pest Control Laboratory.
Act as the focal point on all projects/activities delegated to him/her and ensure, as a committed team player in a matrix management environment, efficient utilisation of assigned resources and full coordination and transparency in all activities and deliberations with internal and external stakeholders.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Thorough technical knowledge of the role of entomology, genetics, insect behaviour, pest insect and host interaction, radiation and molecular biology in the application of genetic methods for insect pest control.
In-depth knowledge and practical experience of the principles and practice of SIT and area-wide, integrated approaches to insect pest management.
Knowledge and understanding of new and upcoming technologies relevant to the improvement of the application of genetic pest control methods in sustainable agricultural development.
Ability to analyse technical and scientific information, identify problems and effectively contribute to their solution.
Practical experience in designing and managing a large insect mass rearing facility.
Demonstrated ability to plan and evaluate sterile fly releases and entomological monitoring operations, involving GIS techniques.
Awareness of relevant FAO and IAEA mechanisms and procedures.
Project management:
Ability to formulate and undertake research programmes and projects;
Ability to generate extra budgetary funding for field projects and R&D activities.
High standards of integrity, fairness and transparency to ensure and promote a work environment based on mutual respect and trust.
Communication skills: Ability to write clear and concise technical reports, make effective oral presentations and conduct technical, consultants and CRP meetings.
Excellent interpersonal skills:
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with representatives of Member States, counterparts at FAO sister divisions, and international organizations;
Ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries and with IAEA staff at all levels, and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relations in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
Computer skills:
Computer literacy to edit and format technical documents;
Ability to maintain homepages, databases, and newsletters;
Application skills, including databases, GIS hard and software and statistical analysis of field data.
Education, Experience and Language Skills
Advanced university degree in biology, preferably with special emphasis on entomology or related biological sciences, or equivalent with relevant working experience.
Minimum of seven years of working experience, of which some at the international level, in developing, planning, implementing and evaluating the application of SIT and related techniques as part of area-wide insect pest management programmes.
Minimum of four years of practical experience managing the integrated application of SIT operations including the large scale mass production and release of sterile insects and experience with the related economic, environmental, health and quarantine issues.
International experience in developing countries working on technical cooperation programmes dealing with insect pest control.
Experience in coordinating multidisciplinary and multicultural staff and stakeholders implementing complex insect pest control projects.
Experience in contributing, as part of national animal health services, to policy development and priority setting in the implementation of insect pest control strategies.
Experience in editing, formatting and publishing technical guidelines, manuals, standard operating procedures and scientific documents.
Fluency in both spoken and written English. Working knowledge of German an asset. Knowledge of at least one additional official IAEA language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish) an advantage.
Remuneration
The IAEA offers an attractive remuneration package including a tax-free annual net base salary starting at US $67 483 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance), a variable post adjustment which currently amounts to US $37 925*, dependency benefits, rental subsidy, education grant, relocation and repatriation expenses; 6 weeks' annual vacation, home leave,pension plan and health insurance.
How to apply to the IAEA
Complete an Online Application
* Subject to change without notice
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. 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.
