Food Authenticity 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 and environmental protection.

Main Purpose

The Food Authenticity Specialist, as a member of the Food Safety and Control Subprogramme, and reporting to the Head of the Food Safety and Control Laboratory (FSCL), carries out applied and adaptive research, contributing to a results-based programme in response to Member States’ priorities in the application of nuclear technologies to meet their food security goals as related to the authenticity and origin of food commodities within the general context of improving food quality and facilitating trade in foods.

Role

The Food Authenticity 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; (2) a technical expert, planning and conducting technical meetings and project review missions; (3) a facilitator, working with Member States to meet their national and regional agricultural development objectives, and; (4) a liaison with relevant stakeholders on issues related to the transfer of sampling and analytical technologies to Member States.

Functions / Key Results Expected

The following functions all contribute directly within the overall context of the subprogramme’s objective to enhancing the capabilities of Member States in the application of analytical methodologies and regulations to improve food quality and to increase trade:
– Lead the formulation and implementation of coordinated research projects related to the authenticity and origin of food commodities, including the evaluation of research contracts and agreement proposals, monitoring the progress of projects, the organization of meetings and the publication of results and reports.
– Plan, supervise and perform applied and adaptive research focused on the application of stable isotope measurements for the assessment of the authenticity and origin of food products at the FSCL.
– Provide technical supervision of laboratory technicians, trainees, interns or fellows in the areas of analytical methods related to the assessment of the authenticity and origin of food commodities.
– Support the technical cooperation programme through the evaluation of relevant project requests, the development of work plans and by assisting with the implementation of expert assignments, training and the purchase of equipment.
– Prepare internal documents, laboratory guidelines and protocols, publish research results in peer-reviewed journal articles; present research results at workshops and scientific meetings.
– Maintain and update information in relevant web-based resources and databases.
– Plan and organize scientific and advisory meetings, participate in technical missions and represent the IAEA at international meetings and conferences.
– Develop novel initiatives and collaborate on relevant cross-cutting activities, such as the coordination of work with other international, regional and national organizations, including UN bodies.
– Support the Laboratory’s endeavours in attracting extra budgetary funding.
– Perform any other activities in support of the implementation of sub programme activities as directed by the Laboratory Head in consultation/coordination with the Section Head.

Competencies and Expertise

Core Competencies(Competency Framework)

Name	Definition
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.
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.

Functional Competencies

Name	Definition
Judgement/decision making	Consults 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.
Partnership building	Identifies and builds partnerships. Develops and maintains long lasting partnerships to strengthen relationships. Delivers programmatic outputs and acquires resources in support of Agency goals.
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
Food Science	Food Authenticity and Quality	Expertise in applying analytical methods to authenticate foods using instrumental techniques. Interpretation of data using statistical, multivariate and modelling techniques.
Food Science	Food Safety	Very good knowledge of any potential the relationship between of food fraud and /authenticity issues to and food safety or quality.
Physics	Stable Isotope Analysis	Knowledge of the application of stable isotope measurements for the assessment of the authenticity and origin of food.

Qualifications, Experience and Language skills

Master’s Degree – Advanced university degree in biochemistry, analytical chemistry or a related field. PhD is an asset.

– At least seven years’ scientific and work experience in the measurement of stable isotopes and the application of laboratory quality assurance/quality control procedures, including extensive experience at the international level.
– Experience in and knowledge of the application of stable isotope ratio measurements and related techniques (such as but not limited to spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance etc.) applicable to food authenticity and origin assessment. 
– Experience in research, as well as in technology transfer, related to food authenticity and origin.
– Proven experience in the application of measures to meet quality requirements for food and agricultural commodities.
– Working experience in an ISO/IEC 17025:2017-accredited laboratory or an understanding of the standards is an added advantage.
– Experience in international project management and coordination, including in the formulation and delivery of outcome-oriented projects and the management of financial and human resources.

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 $77326 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance), a variable post adjustment which currently amounts to US $ 45777, 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.