The Department of Nuclear Safety and Security (NS) formulates and implements the IAEA’s nuclear safety and security programme, which encompasses the Agency’s activities to protect people and the environment from radiation exposure, and responds to the safety and security related needs of its Member States.

The Division of Radiation, Transport and Waste Safety (NSRW) develops and maintains standards for radiation protection, radioactive waste safety, and safety in the transport of radioactive material that enable the beneficial uses of radiation to be used while ensuring appropriate protection of workers, the public, patients and the environment. It also assists Member States in the implementation of these standards and provides related services.

The Waste and Environmental Safety Section is responsible for the delineation of a global waste safety framework based upon the Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management, and the development and application of safety standards for the management of radioactive waste, decommissioning, remediation and environmental releases.
The Assessment and Management of Releases Unit of the Waste and Environmental Safety Section is concerned with protection of the public and the environment from releases of radioactive material from present and past practices. The Unit’s main function is to establish safety standards for the control of radioactive releases to the environment (atmospheric, terrestrial and aquatic) and to provide for the application of these standards in Member States. The Unit also engages in providing advice and guidance on procedures and methods for dose and environmental assessment, modelling and monitoring, including through the organization of safety assessment inter comparison projects. It maintains databases of worldwide discharges of radionuclides to the environment and an inventory of past waste disposals at sea. It is also the focal point in the Agency’s interactions with international conventions and treaties concerned with radiological aspects of protecting the marine environment.

Main Purpose

The main purpose of this consultancy is to provide technical expertise and organize activities for an important, high-profile review of plans and actions relating to the discharge of ALPS (Advanced Liquid Processing System) treated water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) against IAEA Safety Standards.

Functions / Key Results Expected

• Provide technical expertise on Radiological and Environmental Impact Assessment and Authorization of Discharges of radioactive materials to the environment within a regulatory framework;
• Review and interpret information provided as an input to NSRW’s review;
• Compile information to support the on-going response of the IAEA to request for information;
• Organise NSRW activities to deliver required reviews and requests for information;
• Draft technical text.
• Provide technical expertise in missions to the FDNPP as part of IAEA’s on-going review of activities related to the discharge of ALPS treated water, as required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Required –

Language

•    English

Skills and abilities

• Excellent data analytical skills.
• Project management skills.
• Good written and oral communications skills.

Qualifications and Experience

• University degree in environmental-related fields (chemistry, environmental sciences, engineering, physics etc). Advanced university degree is an asset.
• Minimum of 5 years experience in public and environmental radiation protection, of which at least 3 years should have been concerned with some aspects of the control or assessment of radioactive releases to the environment.
• Expert knowledge of international guidance on radiological protection of humans and the environment, and control of discharges.
• Excellent oral and written command of English. Knowledge of other official IAEA languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish) is an asset.

Remuneration

The remuneration for this consultancy is a daily fee of up to a maximum of € 300, based on qualifications and experience. In case duty travel is required within the assignment, a daily subsistence allowance (DSA) and travel costs are provided. Health coverage and pension fund are the responsibility of the incumbent.