Decommissioning Safety Specialist(P4)
JOB DETAIL
Organizational Setting
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 and patients. 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 Decommissioning and Remediation Unit of the Waste and Environmental Safety Section is concerned with the establishment and application of safety standards related to the remediation of contaminated environments, the decommissioning of facilities using radioactive material (e.g. nuclear power plants, research reactors, fuel cycle facilities) and the management of naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM) waste, in particular the residues and wastes from the mining and milling of uranium ores. The Unit provides leadership for services to operators, regulators and other specialized users involved in assuring safety in the decommissioning of facilities using radioactive material, the release and re-use of sites, the clearance of material and in assessing and advising on the safety of mine/mill tailings.
Main Purpose
The Decommissioning Safety Specialist reports to the Unit Head and contributes specialized technical knowledge to the planning and implementation of the Unit’s work programme. The Decommissioning Safety Specialist will oversee specific activities relating to the development and application of safety standards in their area of expertise.
Role
The Decommissioning Safety Specialist is:
(1) a scientific secretary, coordinating the development of safety standards and other related documents;
(2) a technical officer and subject matter expert providing expert advice within the Agency and to Member States, including through the IAEA’s technical cooperation programme;
(3) a coordinator, leading appraisal and advisory missions to Member States;
(4) a facilitator, promoting the exchange of information among specialists at international technical meetings and encouraging consensus on constructive actions that can be taken to improve the level of safety in affected Member States;
(5) an analyst, maintaining an overview of the status of decommissioning and remediation in Member States and assisting counterparts to identify needs and priorities.
Functions / Key Results Expected
Plan and lead consultancy and technical meetings to inform the development of international safety standards and other specialist IAEA publications, based on the most recent knowledge and experience in decommissioning.
Contribute to capacity building in Member States by developing training materials and organising training events.
Provide direct technical support to Member States regarding the application of international safety standards through national and regional technical cooperation projects, in close coordination with the responsible programme management officers in the Department of Technical Cooperation.
Coordinate and participate in international advisory and appraisal missions to Member States aimed at base lining and improving the level of safety in decommissioning.
Plan and implement events (e.g. conferences, technical meeting, workshops and specialised forums) to promote the exchange of information and develop consensus between affected Member States.
Communicate the results of Member State and IAEA activities to a wider audience, including other Member States, through the preparation of papers, articles and documents for publication.
Build and maintain strategic partnerships and alliances with Member States and other international organisations to promote the application of international safety standards.
The incumbent may perform his/her work in areas involving exposure to radioactive materials. Therefore, as an Occupationally Exposed Worker, he/she must be medically cleared by VIC Medical Service and is subject to an appropriate radiation and health monitoring programme, in accordance with the IAEA’s Radiation Safety Regulations.
Competencies and Expertise
Core Competencies
| Name | Definition |
|---|---|
|   | |
| Communication | Communicates 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 Results | Takes 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. |
|   | |
| Teamwork | Actively contributes to achieving team results. Supports team decisions. |
|   | |
| Planning and Organizing | Plans 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. |
Functional Competencies
| Name | Definition |
|---|---|
|   | |
| Judgement/decision making | Consults 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. |
|   | |
| Partnership building | Identifies and builds partnerships. Develops and maintains long lasting partnerships to strengthen relationships. Delivers programmatic outputs and acquires resources in support of Agency goals. |
|   | |
| Technical/scientific credibility | Ensures that work is in compliance with internationally accepted professional standards and scientific methods. Provides scientifically/technically accepted information that is credible and reliable. |
Required Expertise
| Function | Name | Expertise Description |
|---|---|---|
|   |   |   |
| Radiation, Transport and Waste Safety | Application of Safety Standards | Knowledge and understanding of relevant IAEA’s Safety Standards and experience in their application. |
|   |   |   |
| Radiation, Transport and Waste Safety | Development of IAEA Safety Standards | Ability to develop consensus views on complex technical issues. Experience in developing well-researched, high-quality reports. |
|   |   |   |
| Radiation, Transport and Waste Safety | Management of Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material | Knowledge and understanding of safety issues associated with managing materials containing naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM). |
|   |   |   |
| Radiation, Transport and Waste Safety | Safe Decommissioning of Installations using Radioactive Substances | Expertise in developing and implementing strategies and plans for decommissioning of facilities |
|   |   |   |
| Radiation, Transport and Waste Safety | Safe Disposal of Radioactive Waste | Knowledge and understanding of safe disposal of all types of radioactive waste. |
|   |   |   |
| Radiation, Transport and Waste Safety | Safe Predisposal Management of Radioactive Waste and Spent Fuel | Knowledge and understanding of safe pre-disposal (pre-treatment, treatment, conditioning, storage) of all types of radioactive waste. |
Asset Expertise
| Function | Name | Expertise Description |
|---|---|---|
|   |   |   |
| Radiation, Transport and Waste Safety | Development of Radiation Protection Policy | Experience in technical development of national or international standards or guidance in radiation safety and/or radiation protection. |
|   |   |   |
| Radiation, Transport and Waste Safety | Education and Training Development in Waste Safety | Knowledge and experience in the design and delivery of education and training. |
|   |   |   |
| Radiation, Transport and Waste Safety | Radioactive Waste and Spent Fuel Management | Knowledge and understanding of safe management of radioactive waste including spent fuel. |
|   |   |   |
| Radiation, Transport and Waste Safety | Remediation of Environments with Residual Radioactivity | Knowledge and understanding of planning and implementing projects to remediate contaminated sites and environments, including knowledge of processes for contaminant migration. |
Qualifications, Experience and Language skills
Master’s Degree – Advanced University degree in a relevant technical field.
Bachelor’s Degree – A first level university degree in a relevant technical field with additional three years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Minimum seven years’ experience in the field of decommissioning of which at least three years should be related to regulatory or safety aspects.
Experience of working with national and international organisations or institutes is an asset.
Experience in implementing result-based projects/ activities is an asset.
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 $77326 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance), a variable post adjustment which currently amounts to US $ 36189*, dependency benefits, rental subsidy, education grant, relocation and repatriation expenses; 6 weeks’ annual vacation, home leave, pension plan and health insurance
Applications from qualified women and candidates from developing countries are 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. Staff members may be assigned to any location. 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. Testing may be part of the recruitment process
