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Director (D-1)

Duty Station: Vienna, Austria
Issue Date: 2 March 2012
Application Deadline: 12 April 2012
Type/Duration of Appointment: Fixed term, 3 years (subject to a probationary period of 1 year)

Organizational Setting

The IAEA carries out over 8000 procurement or contract actions annually, with a total value of over Euro 100 million. More than half relate to items delivered to counterparts in Member States in Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America in support of field projects designed to improve health care, water resource management and food production. These goods comprise a wide range of nuclear, radiation detection, laboratory and field equipment. The remainder are for delivery to the IAEA's Headquarters in Vienna, Austria, and its Laboratories at Seibersdorf (Austria) and Monaco - mainly computer and office equipment and supplies, specialized equipment for the IAEA's nuclear safeguards operations, and scientific equipment for use at the IAEA's Laboratories.

Main purpose

The Director of the Office of Procurement Services ensures transparent, ethical, efficient and cost-effective procurement and contracting services. He/she leads a team of approximately 19 professional and 21 support staff.

Role

The Director is: (1) a leader, providing strategic direction; (2) a manager of the human and financial resources of the Office; and (3) an adviser to the Deputy Director General for Management on all matters relating to procurement and contracting.

Partnerships

The Director liaises with counterparts in other UN and international organizations with the aim of policy harmonization and exchange of best practices, and represents the IAEA in meetings relating to procurement issues with, for example, the UN Common System, the Inter-Agency Procurement Working Group and Member State representatives. He/she forges relations with clients and consults and negotiates with major suppliers, government officials and industry representatives on the range, volume and nature of specific repetitive requirements.

Functions / Key Results Expected

  • Lead the procurement function in the IAEA, providing direction and guidance to staff, and promoting the development of knowledge and relevant skills within the team.
  • Establish and monitor standards of excellence in performance, and develop integrated programmes of work with special emphasis on quality, transparency, efficiency and integrity. Ensure the availability of adequate human and financial resources.
  • Provide advice to senior management on all issues relating to procurement and contracting.
  • Anticipate emerging procurement challenges and trends, and provide authoritative advice on the direction to be followed.
  • Based on international best practices and regular client feedback, ensure that efficient processes, policies and procedures are in place and followed, leading to cost-effectiveness, procurement system efficiency and financial audit compliance. Ensure that all internal processes and tools are adequately documented and supported.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

  • Professional expertise:
    • In-depth knowledge of all facets of international procurement, including procurement and contracting principles, techniques, practices and regulations;
    • Strong knowledge of broader economic and market perspectives as well as understanding of the working environment relating to procurement for developing countries.
  • Management skills: Thorough knowledge of management principles and ability to foster an environment which promotes good performance, open communication, integrity, self-development and innovation.
  • Ability to formulate policies and procedures and develop and implement new strategies.
  • Integrity, strong negotiation and persuasion skills, and the ability effectively to advocate the organization's requirements and to defend the interests of the IAEA in the event of disputes, claims and interventions by external entities/authorities.
  • Excellent presentation and communication skills, including the ability to deliver briefings to diverse target audiences as well as to conduct effective meetings with senior management and representatives of Member States and other stakeholders.

Education, Experience and Language Skills

  • Advanced university (or equivalent) degree, including some specialization in management or business. Professional certification in the field of procurement desirable.
  • A minimum of 15 years of experience in negotiating and administering procurement and contracts at the national and international level, a substantial part of which at the senior management level.
  • Demonstrated experience in leading a large multicultural team.
  • Excellent knowledge of English. Proficiency in one or more of other official IAEA languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish) an advantage. Working knowledge of German desirable.

Remuneration

The IAEA offers an attractive remuneration package including a tax-free annual net base salary starting at US $95 394 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance), a variable post adjustment which currently amounts to US $51 990*, 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.