Section Head, Soil and Water Management and Crop Nutrition

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. The IAEA's work encompasses various fields, including nuclear safety, security, and safeguards, as well as the application of nuclear techniques in areas such as health, agriculture, and environmental protection.

Job Overview:
The Section Head for Soil and Water Management and Crop Nutrition (SWMCN) will play a pivotal role in leading the SWMCN Section and its Laboratory within the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture. This position involves ensuring that the activities of the SWMCN Section contribute effectively to the results-based subprogramme aimed at developing improved techniques for soil, water, and crop nutrient management. The Section Head will be responsible for managing a multidisciplinary team, overseeing the implementation of technical cooperation projects, and providing policy advice and technical support to Member States. The role requires a strong focus on enhancing sustainable agricultural production systems that are resilient to climate change, improving soil carbon and water storage, and minimizing greenhouse gas emissions. The Section Head will also be tasked with ensuring the visibility and impact of the SWMCN Subprogramme's activities, contributing to the strategic direction of the Joint FAO/IAEA Programme, and leading the development and validation of nuclear and related techniques for improved agricultural practices.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Section Head will manage the Soil and Water Management and Crop Nutrition Section, providing leadership and guidance to staff while establishing and monitoring performance standards. Key responsibilities include coordinating activities with internal and external stakeholders, contributing to the strategic direction of the Joint FAO/IAEA Programme, developing the sub-programme and its budget, and ensuring the generation of scientific and technical input for policy and standards development. The Section Head will lead the development, adaptation, and validation of nuclear techniques for soil and water management, ensuring effective implementation of sub-programmatic activities, capacity building, and technical support for Member States. Additionally, the Section Head will evaluate IAEA technical cooperation projects and provide support for coordinated research projects in the area of soil, water, and crop nutrient management.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master's Degree or an Advanced University Degree in Soil Science, Agronomy, or related disciplines, with a proven background in the use of nuclear techniques in soil, agricultural water, and crop nutrient management. A PhD in a relevant area is considered a strong asset. Applicants should have a minimum of ten years of working experience in research and development related to soil-plant-water interactions, with a focus on sustainable agricultural production systems. Experience in leading functional teams, managing human and financial resources, and program planning and budgeting is essential, particularly in high-quality R&D activities using nuclear techniques. Knowledge of policy development for soil-plant-water management strategies is also required.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Master's Degree or an Advanced University Degree in Soil Science, Agronomy, or related fields. A PhD in these areas would be advantageous, as it demonstrates a higher level of expertise and research capability in the application of nuclear techniques for agricultural purposes.

Experience:
The ideal candidate should have at least ten years of relevant experience in research and development focusing on soil-plant-water interactions that influence soil quality, land productivity, and water use efficiency. This experience should encompass both national and international settings, with a strong emphasis on sustainable agricultural production systems. Additionally, candidates should have experience in leading teams and managing resources effectively, as well as in program planning and budgeting, particularly in high-quality R&D activities related to soil science.

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

Additional Notes:
The IAEA offers an attractive remuneration package, including a tax-free annual net base salary starting at US $101,540, along with a variable post adjustment currently amounting to US $55,33

• Additional benefits include 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. The recruitment process will be conducted with the highest ethical standards, ensuring fairness and integrity in selection.