Water Technical Officer(P3)

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 Division of Physical and Chemical Sciences is responsible for assisting and advising Member States in research and development for the nuclear sciences, especially the physical and chemical sciences. Specifically, the Division provides support to Member States in the following fields: production of radioisotopes and radiolabelled products for applications in health care and industry; radiation source applications; research reactor utilization; applications of accelerators and nuclear instrumentation; nuclear and atomic data for applications; controlled nuclear fusion and isotope hydrology and geochemistry.

The Isotope Hydrology Section is responsible for planning and implementing the IAEA’s water resources programme. The programme assists Member States in the sustainable management of all aspects of their water resources, but with a particular focus on isotope hydrology. Major activities include internationally coordinated research, global isotope monitoring, capacity building, and technical assistance to Member States to help them with the assessment, development and use of water resources. The Section also operates a well-equipped laboratory for the analysis of stable and radioactive isotopes. The laboratory trains counterparts in using analytical techniques for high-quality measurements of isotopes in water samples.

 

Main Purpose

As a member of a team led by the Section Head, the Water Technical Officer is responsible for the implementation and management of IAEA extrabudgetary projects focussed on building analytical capacity in Member States. The core responsibility is threefold: (1) to provide expert technical advice on the construction, commissioning and upgrading of water analysis laboratories ; (2) providing guidance on the necessary training and capacity strengthening to run and operate the laboratories; and (3) work with counterparts to integrate water data into water policy and governance.

Role

The Water Technical Officer is: (1) a technical specialist, providing expertise in the application of different types of instruments for analysis of water samples; (2) a water quality specialist with knowledge of water quality guidelines and their implementation; (3) a technical project manager able to design and implement laboratory appropriate training courses; (4) a water practitioner who can integrate water isotope data into water governance and policy and; (5) a technical expert, planning and conducting technical meetings and technical review missions, as well as assisting in the evaluation of Technical Cooperation (TC) projects.
 

Functions / Key Results Expected

• Plan, manage and implement extrabudgetary projects on laboratory development.
• Provide technical guidance on the application of different analytical techniques to determine the concentration of different dissolved elements (including but not limited to cations, anions, molecular species, trace metals and isotopes).
• Write regular progress reports to project partners.
• Coordinate with the Department of Technical Cooperation on the implementation of joint activities within this project.
• Liaise with the external counterparts to ensure the project needs are being met.
• Plan, organize and participate in seminars, workshops, expert missions and training courses as appropriate for the project.
• Contribute to various reports and documents to be provided to senior management and governing bodies. 
 

Competencies and Expertise

Core Competencies(Competency Framework)NameDefinition  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.  Achieving ResultsTakes 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.  TeamworkActively contributes to achieving team results. Supports team decisions.  Planning and OrganizingPlans 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.

Functional CompetenciesNameDefinition  Analytical thinkingAnalyses information to identify cause and effect relationships and correlations. Identifies critical elements and assesses consequences of different courses of action and proposes solutions.  Judgement/decision makingConsults with supervisor/manager and takes decisions in full compliance with the Agency’s regulations and rules. Makes decisions reflecting best practice and professional theories and standards.  Knowledge sharing and learningActively 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.

Required ExpertiseFunctionNameExpertise Description   ChemistryAnalytical ChemistryExperience in different types of analytical techniques for water analysis   HydrologyGround Water HydrologyExperience in the use of environmental isotopes to assess hydrogeological systems   HydrologyIsotope HydrologyExperience in the use of environmental isotopes to assess hydrological systems

Qualifications, Experience and Language skills

Master's Degree - Advanced university degree in Hydrochemistry, analytical chemistry or geochemistry. PhD is an asset.

Minimum of five years of practical experience in the application of analytical techniques for water analysis.

Substantial experience in conceiving, formulating and successfully implementing laboratory research projects, including application of proficiency testing and accreditation procedures. 

Broad experience and knowledge of the principles of natural resource management, particularly water resource management.

Strong technical background and practical experience in nuclear techniques in water resources management. 

Proven ability to analyse technical and scientific information. 

Ability to communicate project results effectively to diverse audiences and to conduct presentations on key issues by clearly formulating positions, presenting options concisely while conveying the maximum necessary information, and making and defending recommendations. 

Ability to operate across organizational boundaries, establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relationships externally and internally in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity. 

Excellent writing skills demonstrated through a record of scientific publications. 

Excellent oral and written command of English. Knowledge of other official IAEA languages (Arabic, Chinese, 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 $71335 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance), a variable post adjustment which currently amounts to US $ 37879*, 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

Evaluation process

Appointment information