Integrated Soil Fertility Management Specialist(P4)

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 Soil and Water Management and Crop Nutrition Section and Laboratory assist Member States in developing improved soil and water management practices for sustainable intensification of agricultural production systems, the conservation of natural resources and the effective use of external inputs through applied and adaptive research and development activities, technology transfer and capacity building.

Main Purpose

As a member of a team led by the Head of the Soil and Water Management & Crop Nutrition Section, the Integrated Soil Fertility Management Specialist contributes to the results-based sub-programme relating to the development of improved nutrient, soil quality and agricultural water management practices for the proper utilization and application of nutrients, protection of agricultural and natural resources and the environment, antimicrobial resistance, (AMR) and enhancing sustainable intensification of agricultural production systems through the use of nuclear and related techniques.

Role

The Integrated Soil Fertility Management Specialist is: (1) a technical officer and research coordinator, ensuring the efficient and effective development, implementation and dissemination of research, training and scientific and technical knowledge, and assisting in the evaluation and implementation of technical cooperation projects for the IAEA and FAO in the area of soil and water management practices for improving soil fertility and nutrient use efficiency; (2) a technical expert, planning and conducting technical meetings and project review missions, and; (3) a facilitator, working with Member States to meet their national and regional agricultural development objectives.

Functions / Key Results Expected

Contribute technical expertise to the implementation of coordinated research projects related to integrated soil fertility, nutrient and agricultural water management, including the evaluation of research contracts and agreement proposals, monitoring the progress of projects, the organization of meetings and the publication of results.
Prepare guidance and review documents and working with isotopic and nuclear techniques relating to the improvement of soil fertility, nutrient and agricultural water management practices and strategies for enhancing agricultural resource use efficiency and improving farmer’s resilience to the impacts of climate change and variability.
Assist and contribute, as technical officer, to the IAEA’s technical cooperation programme through planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of technical cooperation projects.
Plan, organize and conduct scientific and advisory meetings, participate in technical missions, and represent the IAEA at international meetings and conferences.
Develop novel initiatives and relevant cross-cutting activities, through collaboration with colleagues in the Soil and Water Management and Crop Nutrition Laboratory, and national, regional and international organizations, including UN bodies.
Perform other activities as directed by the Section Head in support of the implementation of the Soil and Water Management & Crop Nutrition sub-programme.

Competencies and Expertise

Core Competencies(Competency Framework)

Functional Competencies

Required Expertise

Qualifications, Experience and Language skills

Master’s Degree – Advanced university degree in soil sciences or related disciplines.

Other – PhD would be an asset.

Minimum seven years of directly relevant experience.
Proven track record in high-quality research related to soil science, agronomy or related disciplines using nuclear and isotopic techniques as one of research tools,
In-depth knowledge of the principles and practices of the use of nuclear and isotopic techniques in soil fertility, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), nutrient and agricultural water management practices to enhance agricultural resource use efficiency and crop water use efficiency.
Awareness of relevant FAO and IAEA mechanisms and procedures, including Coordinated Research Projects and Technical Cooperation Projects highly desirable.
Ability to formulate and guide research projects and programmes and to mobilize extra-budgetary research and development funding.

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.