Research Contracts Officer(P3)

This selection exercise may be used to generate a roster of pre-approved candidates to address future staffing needs for similar functions in any of the Departments and Offices of the Organization.
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING APPLICATION DEADLINE: Please note that the closing date for submission of applications is indicated in local time as per the time zone of the applicant's location.

Organizational Setting

The Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications (NA) 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, marine 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 Research Contracts Administration Section (NACA) manages the IAEA's coordinated research activities (CRAs). The objective of the coordinated research activities is to stimulate and coordinate the undertaking of research and development in selected nuclear fields by scientists in IAEA and FAO Member States. NACA manages all aspects of the CRAs, including programmatic and financial planning and implementation relating to research, technical and doctoral contracts and research agreements, coordinated research projects (CRPs) and Research Coordination Meetings. NACA is also in charge of the administration of the IAEA’s Collaborating Centres Scheme and manages the administrative aspects of Practical Arrangements and Memorandum of Understanding for the Department.

Main Purpose

Under the supervision of Section Head, NACA, the Research Contracts Officer monitors and analyses the financial performance, budget utilization and forecasting of the Coordinated Research Activities, ensures that policies and procedures in respect of all contractual arrangements under the CRA are followed by those involved in the CRA, provides advice, liaison and support to the Coordinated Research Activities, from the planning of the Coordinated Research Projects (CRPs) to their completion. The Research Contracts Officer leads business process improvement initiatives, supports the development and enhancement of CRA-related IT systems and reporting tools, and contributes to the modernization and automation of programme management and financial monitoring processes. The Research Contracts Officer prepares working papers for the Committees for Coordinated Research Activities (CCRAs), compiles statistical reports on the CRA and assists in the management of the Agency's Collaborating Centres Scheme.

Role

The Research Contracts Officer is: (1) an analyst of the financial situation of the CRA, responsible for ensuring that all CRA financial actions comply with the Agency Financial Rules and Regulations, as well as audit requirements (2) a technical advisor to Project Officers in the planning and implementation of their CRPs, as well as a team member, assisting NACA staff in their daily tasks, (3) a data manager and a liaison between NACA and staff in the Division of Information Technology on the enhancement, integration and maintenance of CRA digital applications and reporting platforms, and (4) a liaison with other Divisions in the IAEA as well as with the Contracting Institutions, Permanent Missions and Member States delegates regarding the CRA and the Collaborating Centres Scheme.

Functions / Key Results Expected

Contributes to the overall management and administration of research, technical and doctoral contracts, research agreements, and Coordinated Research Projects (CRPs), with particular focus on complex, non-routine and exceptional cases.
Prepares working papers for the Committees for Coordinated Research Activities (CCRAs), maintains accurate and up-to-date CRP records, and provides technical guidance to Project Officers on procedures across the full CRP life cycle.
Coordinates and oversees the review and approval of research proposals, progress and final reports, and amendment requests, ensuring compliance with established policies, financial regulations, and availability of funds.
Analyses the financial aspects of Coordinated Research Activities, ensuring that all related actions comply with the Agency’s Financial Rules and Regulations and operational procedures; extracts and evaluates financial and operational data using enterprise systems and databases, and liaises with the Division of Budget and Finance.
Liaison with the Office of Legal Affairs to ensure alignment with Agency policies and audit requirements.
Produces analytical and statistical reports to support programme review, monitoring and outreach activities, including contributions to the CRA Annual Report and other key documentation.
Coordinates with IT staff and relevant stakeholders on the development, enhancement, testing, implementation and maintenance of CRA applications and reporting systems, including the identification of business requirements and opportunities for process automation.
Liaises with internal stakeholders across the Agency, as well as Contracting Institutions, Permanent Missions and Member State representatives, on matters related to Coordinated Research Activities and the Collaborating Centres Scheme; advises Project Officers in the planning and implementation of CRPs.
Supports the management and oversight of the Agency’s Collaborating Centres programme.
Serves as acting Executive Secretary to the Committees for Coordinated Research Activities when required.

Competencies and Expertise

Core Competencies(Competency Framework)

NameDefinition Planning and OrganizingPlans 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. CommunicationCommunicates 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 ResultsTakes 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. TeamworkActively contributes to achieving team results. Supports team decisions.

Functional Competencies

NameDefinition Client orientationHelps clients to analyse their needs. Seeks to understand service needs from the client’s perspective and ensure that the client’s standards are met. Commitment to continuous process improvementPlans and executes activities in the context of quality and risk management and identifies opportunities for process, system and structural improvement, as well as improving current practices. Analyses processes and procedures, and proposes improvements. Judgement/decision makingConsults with supervisor/manager and takes decisions in full compliance with the Agency’s regulations and rules. Makes decisions reflecting best practice and professional theories and standards.

Required Expertise

FunctionNameExpertise Description Information TechnologyDatabase ManagementAbility to retrieve data from a database, in particular, financial data, to analyse this data and to produce statistical reports. Management and Programme AnalysisProject ManagementExperience in managing projects following Project Management methodology such as LFM or PRINCE2. Management and Programme AnalysisReportingAbility to report concisely, accurately and promptly on the programme

Qualifications, Experience and Language skills

• Bachelor's Degree - University degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, Information Systems, Data Analytics or related field. Master's Degree - Advanced university degree would be an asset.
• At least five years of experience in programme development and financial management, preferably in an international environment.
• In-depth experience in managing a diverse programme addressing the needs of developing and developed countries.
• Proven experience in analysing and interpreting financial and operational data and preparing analytical reports and dashboards for management decision-making.
• Experience in system enhancement, business analysis, digital transformation or process automation initiatives.
• Knowledge of Project Management such as LFM or PRINCE2 is desirable.
• Excellent oral and written command of English. Knowledge of other official IAEA languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish) is an asset.

Remuneration

The IAEA offers an attractive remuneration package including a tax-free annual net base salary starting at US $71335 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance), a variable post adjustment which currently amounts to US $ 37094*, dependency benefits, rental subsidy, education grant, relocation and repatriation expenses; Other benefits include 6 weeks' annual leave, home leave travel, pension plan and health insurance. More information on the conditions of employment can be found at: https://www.iaea.org/about/employment/professional-staff/conditions

General Information

• The IAEA's paramount consideration in the recruitment of staff member is to secure employees of the highest standards of efficiency, technical competence and integrity.
• Staff Members shall be selected without any unfair treatment or arbitrary distinction based on a person's race, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, disability, age, language, social origin or other similar shared characteristic or trait.
• The IAEA is committed to gender equality and to promoting a diverse workforce. Applications from qualified women and candidates from developing countries are strongly encouraged.
• Applicants should be aware that IAEA staff members are international civil servants and may not accept instructions from any other authority. The IAEA is committed to applying the highest ethical standards in carrying out its mandate. As part of the United Nations common system, the IAEA subscribes to the following core ethical standards (or values): Integrity, Professionalism and Respect for diversity.
• The IAEA has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and the IAEA, including sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination.

Evaluation process

• The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the selection criteria stated in the vacancy announcement. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information. Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise, which may be followed by a competency-based interview.
• Candidates under serious consideration for selection may be subject to reference and background checks as part of the recruitment process.

Appointment information

• Appointment is subject to a satisfactory medical report.
• Staff members may be assigned to any location.
• Candidates appointed to posts in the Professional and higher categories are subject to IAEA rotation policy and their maximum tour of service shall normally be seven years.
• The IAEA retains the discretion not to make any appointment to this vacancy, to make an appointment at a lower grade or with a different contract type, or to make an appointment with a modified job description or for shorter duration than indicated above.