Research Contracts Officer P3

Job Posting Organization:
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is an international organization that seeks to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy and to inhibit its use for any military purpose, including nuclear weapons. Established in 1957, the IAEA has a mission to enhance global peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security through the application of nuclear science and technology. The organization operates in over 170 countries and has a workforce of approximately 2,500 employees. Its headquarters is located in Vienna, Austria, and it has regional offices and laboratories in various locations, including Seibersdorf and Monaco. The IAEA's work encompasses a wide range of areas, including nuclear safety, security, and safeguards, as well as the promotion of nuclear applications in fields such as health, agriculture, and environmental protection.

Job Overview:
The Research Contracts Officer position is situated within the Research Contracts Administration Section (NACA) of the IAEA's Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications. This role is pivotal in managing the financial performance and budget utilization of the Coordinated Research Activities (CRAs). The officer will ensure compliance with policies and procedures related to all contractual arrangements under the CRA, providing essential advice and support throughout the lifecycle of Coordinated Research Projects (CRPs). The position requires a proactive approach to business process improvement, contributing to the development and enhancement of CRA-related IT systems and reporting tools. The officer will also prepare working papers for the Committees for Coordinated Research Activities (CCRAs) and compile statistical reports on the CRA, playing a crucial role in the management of the Agency's Collaborating Centres Scheme.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Research Contracts Officer will be responsible for a comprehensive set of duties, including:

• Contributing to the overall management and administration of research, technical, and doctoral contracts, as well as research agreements and CRPs, with a focus on complex and exceptional cases.
• Preparing working papers for CCRAs and maintaining accurate CRP records while providing technical guidance to Project Officers on procedures throughout the CRP lifecycle.
• Coordinating the review and approval of research proposals, progress reports, and amendment requests, ensuring compliance with established policies and financial regulations.
• Analyzing the financial aspects of CRAs to ensure compliance with the Agency’s Financial Rules and Regulations, extracting and evaluating financial data using enterprise systems.
• Liaising with the Office of Legal Affairs to ensure alignment with Agency policies and audit requirements.
• Producing analytical and statistical reports to support programme review and outreach activities, including contributions to the CRA Annual Report.
• Coordinating with IT staff on the development and maintenance of CRA applications and reporting systems, identifying opportunities for process automation.
• Advising Project Officers in the planning and implementation of CRPs and supporting the management of the Agency’s Collaborating Centres programme.
• Serving as acting Executive Secretary to the CCRAs when required.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, Information Systems, Data Analytics, or a related field. An advanced university degree (Master's Degree) is considered an asset. Additionally, candidates should have at least five years of experience in programme development and financial management, preferably within an international context. In-depth experience in managing diverse programmes that address the needs of both developing and developed countries is essential. Proven ability to analyze and interpret financial and operational data, along with preparing analytical reports and dashboards for management decision-making, is required. Experience in system enhancement, business analysis, digital transformation, or process automation initiatives is also necessary. Knowledge of Project Management methodologies such as LFM or PRINCE2 is desirable.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Bachelor's Degree in a relevant field such as Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, Information Systems, or Data Analytics. A Master's Degree is advantageous and may enhance a candidate's qualifications for the role.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five years of relevant experience in programme development and financial management. Candidates should have experience working in an international environment and managing diverse programmes that cater to the needs of both developing and developed countries. Experience in analyzing financial and operational data and preparing reports for management decision-making is crucial. Familiarity with system enhancement and digital transformation initiatives is also important.

Languages:
Excellent oral and written command of English is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of other official IAEA languages, including Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, and Spanish, is considered an asset and may enhance a candidate's profile.

Additional Notes:
The IAEA offers an attractive remuneration package, including a tax-free annual net base salary starting at US $71,335, subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance. Additional benefits include a variable post adjustment, dependency benefits, rental subsidy, education grant, relocation and repatriation expenses, six weeks of annual leave, home leave travel, pension plan, and health insurance. The IAEA is committed to gender equality and diversity in its workforce, encouraging applications from qualified women and candidates from developing countries. Staff members are international civil servants and must adhere to the highest ethical standards, with a zero-tolerance policy on conduct incompatible with the aims of the United Nations and the IAEA.