Research Entomologist (Livestock Pests) (P4)
Research Entomologist (Livestock Pests) (P4)
IAEA - International Atomic Energy Agency
Seibersdorf, Austria
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 team leader reporting to the Laboratory Head, and with leadership from the IPC Section Head and the Director of the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre, the Research Entomologist ensures that the activities of the research group on Livestock Pests of the Insect Pest Control Laboratory contribute to the results of the IPC subprogramme relating to the development of the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) and other genetic control technologies for sustainable protection of agricultural production systems.
Role
The Research Entomologist is: (1) a team leader of the Livestock Pests team, ensuring the efficient and effective management of assigned staff, physical and financial resources in line with quality management standards and a results-based approach; (2) a technical leader, leading a multidisciplinary team in the Insect Pest Control Laboratory (IPCL) focused on ensuring the efficient and effective development and implementation of the Laboratory's R&D activities, training and laboratory service as it relates to the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre, and; (3) a technical officer, providing technical support to technical cooperation projects (TCPs), and to coordinated research projects (CRPs) in the area of development of the SIT package for livestock insect pests.
Functions/Key Results Expected
Lead the development, adaptation and validation of technologies related to the control of livestock pests in the context of area-wide integrated pest management programmes incorporating the sterile insect technique in alignment with the FAO and IAEA programmes and the identified needs of Member States, plan, monitor and transfer these technologies to Member States, including through the organization of training programmes for scientists and other stakeholders.
Develop and introduce innovative R&D approaches to the insect pest activities of the IPC subprogramme, including on-site laboratory activities at the IPCL, and within CRPs and TCPs undertaken at institutes in Member States. Provide substantive input into the planning and management of the scientific and technical aspects of this subprogramme and propose novel directions and approaches that enhance the subprogramme's ability to support ongoing and future activities leading to sustainable development in Member States.
Through a continuous and concerted focus on outreach activities, the Research Entomologist keeps abreast of emerging technologies that can be further developed and validated at the IPCL, and therefore, ensuring that the most relevant and efficient technologies are deployed in addressing livestock pest control in Member States.
Provide expertise and guidance to visiting scientists, fellows and collaborators from national, regional and international research institutes who will be hosted at the IPCL to conduct R&D in the context of area-wide integrated pest management programmes incorporating the sterile insect technique.
Plans and implements the work on livestock pests in the Insect Pest Control Laboratory through efficient management of the human and physical resources. Effectively manage staff, generate work plans, order supplies, monitor work performance and assess staff development needs. In close consultation with the Head of the IPCL, identify appropriate human, physical and technical resource requirements and locate external consultants as required.
In close consultation and cooperation with the Head of the Insect Pest Control Laboratory participates in the development of strategic partnerships and alliances with key research laboratories in developed and developing countries and with scientists in national and regional organizations.
Provide assistance in the development of manuals, guidelines, books, brochures, standard operating procedures on the development of the SIT package for livestock pests in the context of area-wide integrated pest management. Ensure the timely delivery of the group's commitments under the IPC subprogramme and contribute to annual reports, newsletters, and external and internal subprogramme evaluations.
Competencies and Expertise
Core Competencies
- 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.
- 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.
Functional Competencies
- Analytical thinking: Analyses information to identify cause and effect relationships and correlations. Identifies critical elements and assesses consequences of different courses of action and proposes solutions.
- Knowledge sharing and learning: Actively 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.
- 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
- Analysis of Best Practices: An ability to identify technical problems and effectively contribute to their solution.
- Analytical Writing Skills: Strong communication and leadership skills to conduct technical, consultants and CRP meetings, with a well-developed capacity to make effective oral presentations and produce well-written technical reports in English.
- Insect Pest Control: An in-depth knowledge of SIT principles and practice as part of area-wide integrated pest management approaches for the control of insect pests.
- Insect Pest Control: In depth knowledge of livestock pests in relation to the development of the sterile insect technique and a thorough understanding of global issues associated with the control of economically important livestock pests.
- Insect Pest Control: A thorough technical expertise of the experimental methods and procedures used in entomological research with special emphasis on the rearing, handling, irradiation, releasing of livestock insect pests.
- Programme Management: Ability to facilitate work in a team environment with scientific, technical and administrative staff and trainees and to build and maintain collaborative partnerships across organizational boundaries.
- Project Management: Ability to formulate and undertake research programmes and projects within the tasks and activities assigned to the IPCL.
Qualifications, Experience and Language skills
- Master's Degree - Advanced University degree in a relevant field of entomology or other related field.
- Minimum seven years of working experience, of which three years hould preferably have been at the international level, in one or more of the following areas applied to arthropods: entomology, insect ecology, agriculture.
- A thorough understanding of insect biology, ecology and behaviour.
- Awareness of relevant FAO and IAEA mechanisms and procedures, including the implementation of CRPs and TC projects would be a strong asset.
- Well-developed computer application skills, including statistical analysis of research data.
- Experience in working with multidisciplinary and multicultural staff and colleagues in implementing R&D.
- Experience in editing, formatting and publishing technical guidelines, manuals, standard operational procedures and scientific documents.
- An up-to-date knowledge of new and upcoming technologies in the areas of entomology and ecology relevant to improving the application of the SIT for insect pests.
- Strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals. Ability to facilitate work in a team environment with scientific, technical and administrative staff and trainees and to build and maintain collaborative partnerships across organizational boundaries.
- Excellent oral and written command of English. Knowledge of other official IAEA languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish) is an asset.
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