Director, Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture (CJN)

Organizational Setting

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is the world's centre for cooperation in the nuclear field, promoting the safe, secure and peaceful use of nuclear technology.

The Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, located in Vienna, Austria, is a part of both the IAEA's Major Programme 2, the Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications, and of FAO’s Natural Resources and Sustainable Production Stream. The Joint Centre and its laboratories are operated through arrangements signed by the Directors General of FAO and IAEA.

The Joint FAO/IAEA Centre assists Member Nations of FAO and 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, 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.

The position is located at IAEA headquarters in Vienna, Austria.

Reporting Lines

Reporting lines are defined by the arrangements signed by the Directors-General of FAO and IAEA.

Summary of Duties and Functions

Within the framework of the mandate and strategic objectives of FAO and IAEA and working under arrangements signed by the Directors-General of FAO and IAEA, the Director:

• Provides leadership and vision for the Joint FAO/IAEA Programme on Nuclear Applications in food and agriculture to improve food security and nutrition and contribute to the sustainable management of natural resources, in support of the implementation of FAO’s Strategic Framework and IAEA’s Medium-Term Strategy.
• Exercises overall management responsibility for the Programme, promoting coherence with other FAO and IAEA programmes, and ensuring the technical quality of the normative and operational work.
• Promotes and leads innovative Research & Development (R&D) activities of FAO/IAEA Agriculture and Biotechnology Laboratories and ensure the effective management of the laboratories.
• Ensures that the technical capacities of both organizations are fully mobilized and promotes collaboration with FAO’s network of decentralized offices.
• Leads and promotes the provision of policy advice and technical guidance and support to Member Nations through the capacity building and technology transfer for nuclear application in food and agriculture.
• Advises the Leadership of FAO and IAEA on matters of strategy and policy relating to the Joint Centre’s mandate.
• Promotes FAO’s and IAEA’s efforts for resource mobilization from resources partners in support of the Joint Centre’s priority activities.
• Represents the two organizations in high-level meetings and other relevant events dealing with the Joint Centre’s mandate.
• Ensures effective and strategic communication of the Joint Centre’s value proposition, priorities and results.
• Guides the liaison and cooperation with, and supply information and support to, FAO and IAEA Members, other UN and specialized agencies, other global, regional and national bodies including non-governmental organizations, academic institutions and the private sector, and the various segments of FAO and IAEA, on isotope and biotechnology applications in food and agriculture.
• Exercises overall management and internal control responsibility over activities, programmes and sources of funds, oversees and deals with risk management in the Division, ensures any significant control weaknesses are addressed or escalated.
• Performs other duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced University degree in disciplines relevant to agricultural sciences and biotechnology. PhD in one of these disciplines would be an asset;
• Minimum fifteen years of progressively responsible relevant experience in subject matters relating to the Joint Centre; at least five years at the senior management or executive level;
• Technical and managerial leadership in strategic planning and implementation of international research and development activities and networks and technology transfer activities involving the use of nuclear techniques and biotechnology;
• Sound understanding of agricultural production practices and global agricultural development and sustainable natural resources management issues, including the international policy and regulatory frameworks;
• Experience in formulating results-based project proposals for funding and interacting with diverse funding agencies;
• Demonstrated intellectual, managerial and strategic leadership of a high order in relevant subject areas;
• Experience with advice to governments, successful resources mobilization and partnerships;
• Ability to provide leadership and work effectively with a diverse team of people of different technical, national and cultural backgrounds in an international setting;
• Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of English and a limited knowledge (intermediate – level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).