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 Safeguards carries out the IAEA’s duties and responsibilities as the world’s nuclear inspectorate, supporting global efforts to stop the spread of nuclear weapons. The primary role of the Department is to develop and implement IAEA safeguards to ensure that there is no diversion of declared nuclear material from peaceful activities and no indications of undeclared nuclear material or activities in a State as a whole.

The Department comprises nuclear safeguards inspectors, responsible for carrying out inspections and verifications of all-safeguards relevant information for nuclear facilities in over 180 States; and technical staff responsible for a wide range of activities including: developing concepts and approaches for implementing safeguards; developing and maintaining safeguards equipment; providing analytical and laboratory services for sample analysis; collecting, evaluating and analysing safeguards-relevant information; providing information and communication technology infrastructure and services; and providing programme coordination support.

The Office of Safeguards Analytical Services (SGAS) is responsible for the analysis of inspection samples collected in the field. Located about 45 km south of Vienna in Seibersdorf, SGAS is organized into three sections: the Nuclear Material Laboratory (NML), the Environmental Sample Laboratory (ESL) and the Coordination and Support Section (CSS). The laboratory sections conduct the screening, chemical treatment and measurement of the inspection samples. The Coordination and Support Section provides a variety of key services to the laboratories, as well as managing the network of analytical laboratories. SGAS also manages analytical and inspection activities in a dedicated On-Site Laboratory at the Rokkasho Reprocessing Plant in Japan.

Main Purpose

Reporting to the Director of SGAS, the Radiation Protection Officer (RPO) ensures that all laboratory work with radioactive material is carried out safely and securely in accordance with the IAEA Radiation Safety and Nuclear Security Regulations and that the relevant local radiation safety and security requirements of the Host Country are met.

Role

The RPO is a coordinator for oversight of safety and nuclear security at the SG Laboratories, a liaison organizing the authorizations for practices involving ionizing radiation by the IAEA Radiation Safety Regulator, providing relevant local procedures and training of staff, verifying compliance of all activities with the IAEA Radiation Safety and Nuclear Security Regulations and advising on all radiation safety, nuclear security and workplace safety related matters.

Functions / Key Results Expected

The RPO is responsible for the implementation of the laboratory radiation protection programme, and for ensuring that SGAS operations are in compliance with the established IAEA Radiation Safety and Nuclear Security Regulations and any other applicable requirements of the Host Country. The RPO will:
• Act as the laboratory point of reference for radiation protection, nuclear security and general workplace safety matters.
• Provide links between SGAS, qualified experts, the IAEA Radiation Safety and Security Regulator, the Radiation Safety Technical Service Officer, the Security Coordination Officer and other appropriate external authorities.
• Supervise the safe handling of nuclear material, radioactive sources, hazardous chemicals and the operation of radiation generating equipment.
• Control the occupational exposure of workers, trainees and members of the public.
• Be responsible for organizing/implementing the training of workers, stressing the importance of the safety culture to laboratory workers.
• Supervise the application of personal dosimetry equipment, dose rate monitoring, and the transport and storage of radioactive materials.
• Carry out evaluations of the doses received by occupationally exposed staff and conduct investigations in cases of incidents and of doses exceeding reference levels.
• Carry out, or directly supervise, emergency contingency plans in the event of an accident/incident.
• Undertake responsibilities concerning safety aspects of radioactive waste management.
• Ensure that staff involved in work with radiation sources are qualified and appropriately trained in radiation safety; and the arrangements to respond to emergencies/incidents have been established and exercised appropriately.
• Prepare, update and keep under review the laboratory radiation protection procedures/instructions for the safe use of nuclear material and radiation sources.
• Prepare applications for authorization of radiation practices, including radiological risk analyses, as well as requests for the provision of specific technical support services on radiation safety.
• Undertake laboratory audits of radiation, chemical and workplace safety.
• Liaise, as appropriate, with the local authorities of the host countries, maintaining oversight of the technical agreements achieved between them and the IAEA regarding radiation safety and nuclear security.

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(Competency Framework)

Functional Competencies

Qualifications, Experience and Language skills

• Master’s Degree – Health Physics, Nuclear Physics, Nuclear Engineering or related discipline
• Bachelor’s Degree – University degree in Health Physics, Nuclear Physics, Nuclear Engineering or related discipline with two years of additional relevant experience may be considered in lieu of advanced university degree
• At least 7 years of professional experience in radiation protection, and at least 5 years performing the responsibilities/functions of a radiation protection officer, including the organization/operation of radiation protection programmes, performing safety analysis, emergency preparedness, training workers in radiation protection, and particularly supervising chemical laboratory activities involving open alpha emitting radionuclides and hazardous chemicals.
• Laboratory experience in the application of safety standards to radiation practices/sources.
• Excellent oral and written command of English. Knowledge of other official IAEA languages (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, German, 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 $ 46241*, 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.