Consultant for Soil Mapping and Agricultural Resilience

Job Posting Organization:
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that promotes the peaceful use of nuclear energy and aims to prevent its use for military purposes. 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. The IAEA's Major Programme 2 focuses on Nuclear Techniques for Development and Environmental Protection, which includes various programs aimed at improving food security, health, and environmental management.

Job Overview:
The consultancy position is designed to provide specialized technical expertise to coordinate the efforts of the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre for Nuclear Techniques in Agriculture, particularly focusing on Mid-Infrared Spectroscopy (MIRS) and Visible-Near Infrared Spectroscopy (Vis-NIRS) technologies. The consultant will play a crucial role in the 'Soil mapping for resilient agrifood systems' (SoiIFER) project, which aims to enhance agricultural practices and food security in countries such as Ghana, Guatemala, Honduras, Kenya, and Zambia. The consultant will ensure the effective implementation of country-scale data and its integration into national soil information systems, thereby supporting smallholder farmers in adapting to climate change and improving agricultural resilience. This role requires a combination of technical knowledge, project management skills, and the ability to work collaboratively with various stakeholders across different cultural contexts.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Coordinate the technical implementation of MIRS, Vis-NIRS, and Cosmic Ray Neutron Sensor (CRNS) technologies for soil monitoring and mapping in collaboration with partners in Ghana, Guatemala, Honduras, Kenya, and Zambia.
• Manage training activities and data management processes to ensure the efficient and consistent use of these technologies.
• Liaise with project partners and stakeholders to facilitate timely and effective project execution.
• Provide technical expertise and support for analysis and data processing related to MIRS and Vis-NIRS, including spectral modeling and national spectral library development.
• Advise on the integration of data produced by MIRS, Vis-NIRS, and CRNS into larger soil information systems and decision-making platforms.
• Conduct expert field missions to project countries to deliver on-site technical support and quality assurance for MIRS and Vis-NIRS implementation.

Required Qualifications:

• Advanced university degree (master's) in agricultural or soil sciences or a related discipline with a focus on infrared spectroscopy for soil property monitoring.
• A strong theoretical foundation and at least five years of practical experience in soil spectral modeling, soil sensing, and the application of infrared spectroscopy (MIRS/Vis-NIRS) for soil property monitoring or mapping.
• A solid understanding of soil fertility parameters and their measurement techniques.
• Proven project management experience, particularly in coordinating multi-stakeholder activities in diverse cultural contexts.
• Experience in designing and delivering scientific training programs.
• Willingness to travel to project countries as required.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (master's) in agricultural or soil sciences or a related field. A background in infrared spectroscopy is essential for monitoring soil properties effectively.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five years of publication-backed practical experience in soil spectral modeling and the use of infrared spectroscopy technologies for soil monitoring and mapping. Field experience in at least one of the project countries (Ghana, Guatemala, Honduras, Kenya, or Zambia) is highly desirable, as is experience in applying Artificial Intelligence (AI) to soil or water monitoring and mapping data analysis.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, with excellent oral and written communication skills. Proficiency in Spanish is also highly advantageous. Knowledge of other official IAEA languages such as Arabic, Chinese, French, and Russian would be considered an asset.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy offers a daily fee of up to €250, depending on qualifications and experience. If travel is required for the assignment, a daily subsistence allowance (DSA) and travel costs will be covered. Health coverage and pension fund responsibilities lie with the consultant.