This selection exercise may be used to generate a roster of pre-approved candidates to address future staffing needs for similar functions in any of the Departments and Offices of the Organization.
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 and environmental protection.
The Food Safety and Control Section and Laboratory assist Member States in ensuring the safety and quality of food and agricultural commodities through the development of analytical techniques and application of food irradiation, focusing on the use of nuclear and related technologies in the management of food and environmental hazards and on strengthening capacities for nuclear emergency preparedness and response in agriculture.
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Main Purpose
As a member of a team led by the Section Head, the Food Irradiation Specialist coordinates support and research, provides technical and advisory services and collects, analyses and disseminates information related to: (1) the application of food irradiation for food quality, sanitary and phytosanitary purposes, including for food safety; (2) the development of standards and guidelines relating to food irradiation and irradiated food. (3) development of standards and norms for radioactivity in food and agricultural products, including nuclear emergency preparedness and response activities.
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Role
The Food Irradiation Specialist plays several key roles: technical adviser and research coordinator, helping to ensure the efficient and effective development and implementation of research and training trough the follow up of coordinated research and technical cooperation projects implementation; adviser to the Section, the Division and other IAEA staff on programmatic, scientific and technical matters; and liaison, providing public outreach on issues related to the transfer of irradiation technologies to Member States.
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Functions / Key Results Expected
The following functions all contribute directly to the overall context of the subprogramme objective to enhance the capabilities of Member States in the application of irradiation to improve food safety and quality and to increase international trade:
- Plan and implement coordinated research projects on food irradiation, including the evaluation of research contracts and the publication of results;ย
- Coordinate work with other national and international organizations, including UN bodies;ย
- Prepare information on food irradiation, including maintenance and updating of information in relevant web-based resources and databases;ย
- Organize panels, symposia and training courses, serve in scientific missions and represent the IAEA at relevant meetings;ย
- Service the technical cooperation programme through the evaluation of relevant project requests and by assisting with the implementation of expert assignments, training and the purchase of equipment.ย
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Competencies and Expertise
Core Competencies(Competency Framework)NameDefinitionย ย CommunicationCommunicates 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.ย ย Achieving ResultsTakes initiative in defining realistic outputs and clarifying roles, responsibilities and expected results in the context of the Department/Divisionโs programme. Evaluates his/her results realistically, drawing conclusions from lessons learned.ย ย TeamworkActively contributes to achieving team results. Supports team decisions.ย ย Planning and OrganizingPlans and organizes his/her own work in support of achieving the team or Sectionโs priorities. Takes into account potential changes and proposes contingency plans.
Functional CompetenciesNameDefinitionย ย Judgement/decision makingConsults with supervisor/manager and takes decisions in full compliance with the Agencyโs regulations and rules. Makes decisions reflecting best practice and professional theories and standards.ย ย Partnership buildingIdentifies and builds partnerships. Develops and maintains long lasting partnerships to strengthen relationships. Delivers programmatic outputs and acquires resources in support of Agency goals.ย ย Technical/scientific credibilityEnsures that work is in compliance with internationally accepted professional standards and scientific methods. Provides scientifically/technically accepted information that is credible and reliable.
Required ExpertiseFunctionNameExpertise Descriptionย ย ย Food ScienceFood Authenticity and QualityKnowledge in application analytical methods to detect irradiated food commodities.ย ย ย Food ScienceFood IrradiationFull awareness of advantages and disadvantages of the traditional food irradiation technologies and in-depth knowledge of the development of machine-generated irradiation techniques such as the application of EB in food irradiation.ย ย ย Food ScienceFood SafetyKnowledge in the application of irradiation techniques to improve food safety and meet sanitary and phytosanitary requirements for food and agricultural commodities.ย ย ย Food ScienceFood Science and TechnologyKnowledge in the research and development of food irradiation technologies and facilities and their applications in food and agriculture.ย ย ย Food ScienceFood and Environmental Contaminant DetectionIn-depth knowledge of radiation safety standards and Codex standards related to radionuclides in food and food safety in existing, planned and emergency exposure situations.
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Qualifications, Experience and Language skills
Master's Degree - Advanced university degree, in food irradiation, food science and technology, food chemistry, food microbiology, plant pathology or a related field with relevant experience as outlined below. A doctorate degree would be an asset.
At least seven years work experience in food irradiation, including extensive experience at international level, especially in developing countries.ย
Experience in research as well as in technology transfer related to applications of irradiation, in particular ionizing radiation, such as electron beams, gamma and X-rays.ย
Experience in the application of measurements to meet sanitary and phytosanitary requirements for food and agricultural commodities, including the application of risk assessment procedures relevant to food control and plant protection systems.ย
Experience in the application of food irradiation, including irradiation facilities, public acceptance, food microbiology, and the application of irradiation norms especially those in the international standards of the Codex Alimentarius Commission and the International Plant Protection Convention and related code of practice for food irradiation facilities, as well as ISPM18 and ISPM28 annexes of the IPPC].
Experience in the formulation and delivery of outcome-oriented projects, including financial and human resources.ย
Familiarity with the use and application of information technology, including the use of web-based resources.ย
Familiarity with detection tests for irradiated food is an asset
Excellent oral and written command of English. Knowledge of other official IAEA languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish) is an asset.
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Remuneration
The IAEA offers an attractive remuneration package including a tax-free annual net base salary starting at US $84672 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance), a variable post adjustment which currently amounts to US $ 47501*, 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
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General Information
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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.ย
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Evaluation process
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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.ย
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Appointment information
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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.ย
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