Senior Technical Officer on Sterile Insect Technique (P-5)

Duty Station:	Guatemala City, Guatemala
Issue Date:	6 February 2012
Application Deadline:	26 February 2012
Type/Duration of Appointment:	Fixed term extrabudgetary, 2 years (subject to a probationary period of 1 year)

Organizational Setting

The Department of Technical Cooperation (TC) consists of a Division of Programme Support and Coordination and four regional Divisions (Africa-TCAF, Asia and the Pacific-TCAP, Europe-TCEU, and Latin America-TCLA). The objective of the regional Divisions is to respond to relevant developmental priorities in Member States through effective programme management, increased Member State engagement, partnership building and improved coordination in the region, and also to contribute to increased Member State self-reliance in the application of nuclear techniques. In the framework of the project GUA/0/009, the TC program includes cooperative relationships with Stakeholders to conduct exotic fruit fly scientific methods that support beneficial program strategies of fruit fly detection, control, eradication and quarantine in the Guatemala Cooperative MOSCAMED program and within Central America, establishing fruit fly free areas through the use of sterile insect technology.

Main purpose

Reporting to the Programme Management Officer (PMO-TCLA) and in consultation with the Technical Officer from the Insect Pest Control Section, the Senior Technical Officer develops and coordinates innovative and complex programmes and projects in the area of nuclear applications for implementation of Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) in Guatemala and the Latin America region.

Role

The Senior Technical Officer is: (1) a substantive expert contributor on fruit fly detection, control, eradication and quarantine; and (2) a technical adviser in this field.

Partnerships

The Senior Technical Officer engages high-level counterparts in Guatemala and other Member States in programme planning and implementation to ensure effective transfer and sharing of technical know-how and promotes partnership building with appropriate UN organizations, NGOs and other relevant institutions.

Functions / Key Results Expected

Coordinate, facilitate, and monitor transfer of technology and development activities at national and regional level in projects related to the use of the Sterile Insect Technique and area wide approaches to fruit fly control particularly in Guatemala, under the supervision of Technical Officer in the IAEA. Conduct and ensure technology transfer to action programmes at national and regional level. Advise on the recruitment of experts and procurement of equipment, in consultation with the IAEA's technical sections and programme management counterparts. Develop and maintain networks and partnerships with national and international institutions to contribute to applied research activities of fruit fly control programmes at national and regional levels. Establish applied nuclear application priorities, and provide follow up control to the development of plans with partner institutions. Identify/anticipate problems and delays and devises solutions in the light of implementation constraints for applied research activities and action programmes. Draft, and oversee the drafting of reports and documents related to applied activities and actions programmes at national and regional levels. Produce annual progress reports related to the activities performed and results obtained.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

A thorough technical knowledge of the role of genetics, radiation and molecular biology in the application of genetic methods for insect pest control. An in-depth knowledge of the principles and practice of SIT and area-wide, integrated approaches to insect pest management. An understanding and updated knowledge of new and upcoming technologies relevant to the improvement of the application of genetic pest control methods in sustainable agricultural development. Analytical skills: Ability to analyse technical and scientific information. Publication record in peer-reviewed scientific journals in the relevant technical field. High standards of integrity, fairness and transparency to ensure and promote a work environment based on mutual respect and trust. Ability to translate broad strategies into achievable results, monitoring progress and evaluating results. Ability to promote not only a strategic results focus in fruit fly detection, control, eradication and quarantine but also needs-based approaches to programming by leveraging the IAEA's comparative advantage. Ability to ensure programme focus on achievement of development goals by encouraging and promoting capacity development and sustainability of TC projects results. Demonstrated ability, in his/her field of activity, to develop and promote strategic, financial and technical partnerships and alliances with key stakeholders in the public and private sector, the UN development and NGO communities. Ability to ensure visibility and impact in programme and implementation. Strong interpersonal skills: Ability to interact effectively and with tact with staff at all levels and with internal and external counterparts; Ability to work in a multicultural environment with respect and sensitivity for diversity.

Education, Experience and Language Skills

Ph. D. in entomology or genetics. Minimum of 10 years of working experience and research on large scale mass rearing and releases of fruit flies, particularly strains of the Mediterranean fruit fly developed by the IAEA. Minimum of 10 years of practical field experience in the integrated application of SIT in large scale area-wide integrated pest management eradication programmes using fruit fly strains developed by the IAEA. Experience in editing, formatting and publishing technical guidelines, manuals, standard operational procedures and scientific documents in peer reviewed journals. Fluency in English and Spanish essential. Knowledge of other official IAEA languages (Arabic, Chinese, French or Russian) an asset.

Remuneration

The IAEA offers an attractive remuneration package including a tax-free annual net base salary starting at US $80 734 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance), a variable post adjustment which currently amounts to US $33 132*, dependency benefits, diplomatic status, rental subsidy, education grant, relocation and repatriation expenses; 6 weeks' annual vacation, home leave, pension plan and health insurance. How to apply to the IAEA Complete an Online Application * Subject to change without notice

Applications from qualified women and candidates from developing countries are encouraged Applicants should be aware that IAEA staff members are international civil servants and may not accept instructions from any other authority. Staff members may be assigned to any location. 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. Testing may be part of the recruitment process.