Medical Entomologist(P3)

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 Insect Pest Control Section and Laboratory assist Member States with the development, dissemination and transfer of sterile insect and related environmentally friendly technologies for the area-wide integrated suppression, containment or eradication of major insect pests affecting crops, livestock and human health.

Main Purpose

As a member of a team led by the Head of the Insect Pest Control Section, the Medical Entomologist provides expertise and services in the field of human disease vectors in the context of helping Member States in the planning and application of area-wide pest management (AW-IPM) programmes integrating the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) and related technologies with other suppression methods.

Role

The Medical Entomologist is: (1) the provider of managerial and technical advice 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 reduce human disease vectors population and environmental contamination in developing countries; (2) a provider of technical technology transfer and related management support and advice to Technical Cooperation projects on human disease vectors; (3) a scientific officer managing and technically guiding coordinated research projects to develop solutions to technical obstacles experienced in field programmes; and (4) a contributor to policy development, priority setting and training materials and activities in this field, creating awareness of area-wide pest control approaches, and harmonising and streamlining strategies and contributions, and coordinating with the different in-house and relevant external partners.

Functions / Key Results Expected

The Medical Entomologist will:
• provide technical and strategic advice and services to FAO and IAEA Member States through feasibility studies, economic assessments, the design and technical support to the development, implementation and appraisal of pilot and operational area-wide field projects aimed at the sustainable and environmentally friendly management of major disease vectors affecting humans in Member States. This also involves undertaking field missions, selecting and briefing consultants and experts developing and evaluating detailed work plans, monitoring technical progress and identifying problems and obstacles that may prevent or delay advancement towards the identified project objectives and generating practical (entomological, engineering and/or management) solutions to eliminate the 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 human disease vectors, through the design and conduct of analytical studies and benefit-cost assessments, by participating in advisory committees and task forces, and providing technical input to the policy 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, newsletters, preparing and editing technical manuals, guidelines and training materials.
• plan, manage, implement and evaluate coordinated research projects aimed at improving the area-wide application of SIT and other biological control methods, and publish results in relevant scientific publications. Keep track of relevant research and technical developments, assessing their usefulness to support and improve on-going and future activities leading to more sustainable development in Member States. Suggest innovative R&D approaches, in direct conjunction with activities at the Insect Pest Control Laboratory.
• act as the focal point of all projects/activities delegated to him/her and ensures, 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.

Competencies and Expertise

Core Competencies(Competency Framework)

Functional Competencies

Required Expertise

Qualifications, Experience and Language skills

Bachelor’s Degree – Bachelor of Science Degree in medical entomology, biology or related field with special emphasis on entomology

• Advanced university degree in medical entomology, biology or related field would be an asset.
• A minimum of five years of applied working experience in developing, planning, implementing and evaluating the application of SIT and related techniques as part of area-wide programmes that aim at suppressing, containing or eradicating major human disease vectors.
• Experience in an international setting would be a strong asset.
• Experience in coordinating multidisciplinary and multicultural staff and stakeholders implementing complex insect pest control projects.
• Awareness of relevant FAO and IAEA mechanisms and procedures, including the implementation of TC projects.
• Practical field experience in transferring technologies related to the SIT for human disease vector – international experience in developing countries would be a strong asset.
• Proven ability to manage operational human disease vectors programmes.
• Demonstrated ability to plan and evaluate sterile mosquito releases and entomological monitoring operations, including the use of GIS techniques.
• Proven record of scientific publications in international peer reviewed journals and/or other publications.
• Experience in editing, formatting and publishing technical guidelines, manuals, standard operational procedures and scientific documents.

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 $64121 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance), a variable post adjustment which currently amounts to US $ 37447, 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.