Radioactive Waste Predisposal Specialist(P4)
JOB DETAIL
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 Division of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology (NEFW) comprises the Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Materials Section, the Waste Technology Section, the Decommissioning & Environmental Remediation Section and the Research Reactor Section. The Division seeks to support Member States in building their capacity to access technologies, to share good practices and to develop safe and effective approaches across all aspects of research reactors, nuclear fuel cycle, decommissioning, radioactive waste management and environmental remediation.
The Waste Technology Section (WTS) assists Member States with radioactive waste management. It covers a broad spectrum of activities and is organized into teams responsible for radioactive waste management (pre-disposal and disposal), and the management of disused sealed radioactive sources (DSRS). Efforts are focused mainly on the elaboration and implementation of comprehensive and integrated radioactive waste management (RWM) policies and strategies, the development of RWM infrastructure, the promotion of good practices for sustainable, safe and cost-effective RWM, enabling access to current scientific and technological developments. Given the widespread nature of RWM challenges, the Section cooperates with a wide range of units in the IAEA and international organizations.
Main Purpose
As a member of a team, led by the Team Leader (Predisposal), the Radioactive Waste Predisposal Specialist leads project activities, develops and implements new projects, assists Member States in enhancing their practices in the area of characterization, pre-treatment, treatment, conditioning and storage of radioactive waste (collectively known as predisposal) and provides technical assistance at the request of Member States.
Role
The Radioactive Waste Predisposal Specialist is: (1) a developer and implementer of projects, who contributes specialized knowledge and experience to plan and develop the Agency’s program in the waste predisposal area; (2) a scientific secretary/technical expert, who plans and leads moderately complex Technical Meetings; (3) a mission leader, who plans and leads moderately complex review missions; (4) a technical and project officer, who evaluates and coordinates the implementation of moderately complex Technical Cooperation (TC) projects; (5) an evaluator, organizer, and promoter of moderately complex Cooperative Research Projects (CRPs) in the area of waste predisposal technology.
Functions / Key Results Expected
- Contributes specialised technical knowledge and experience to the planning, development, and implementation of the Agency’s programme in the predisposal area of radioactive waste management its associated technology.
- Plans and leads moderately complex consultancy and technical meetings in the area of radioactive waste predisposal, including proposing topics, preparing scopes of works, selecting participants, leading and co-ordinating the preparation and delivery of technical guidance reports and documents.
- Plans and leads moderately complex review missions, preparatory meetings, and follow-up visits, and assesses waste predisposal needs; provides technical input to preparation of mission reports.
- Evaluates and implements moderately complex Technical Cooperation projects, develops action plans and plans, organizes and participates in expert missions ,seminars, workshops, expert missions and training courses and facilities, facilitates technical knowledge capacity building through implementation of scientific visits and fellowships.
- Promotes, co-ordinates and evaluates moderately complex CRPs in Member States and conducts moderately complex studies and assessments related to issues and trends.
- Develops international recommendations and guidance on waste predisposal to address Member States’ specific needs regarding waste management and technology development and deployment.
- Advises and support Member States regarding specific projects in the field of radioactive waste management including pre-disposal and raises awareness of relevant good practices and approaches.
Competencies and Expertise
Core Competencies(Competency Framework)
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Nuclear Engineering | Fuel Cycle and Waste Management | Expertise in operational aspects of RWM, particularly in the area of predisposal management. |
| Nuclear Engineering | Project Management | Expertise in managing projects at the international level and knowledge of international programmes regarding radioactive waste disposal. |
| Nuclear Energy | Radioactive Waste Management – Pre-disposal – Processing | Expertise in gathering, maintain and applying knowledge of best practices and future trends in predisposal management of radioactive waste. |
| Nuclear Energy | Radioactive Waste Management – Pre-disposal – Storage and Transport | In depth understanding of the full range of technological, strategic and operational aspects of radioactive waste storage and transportation, including connectivity with waste disposal (for example; waste acceptance criteria). |
| Nuclear Engineering | Radioactive Waste Management Technology and Infrastructure | Expertise in radioactive waste predisposal management strategies and technologies. |
Qualifications, Experience and Language skills
- Master’s Degree – Advanced university degree in nuclear or chemical engineering or a related science (chemistry, environmental sciences) or technical discipline.
- Bachelor’s Degree – University degree in nuclear or chemical engineering or a related science or technical discipline with two additional years of relevant experience may be considered in lieu of an advanced university degree.
- Minimum seven years of experience in a relevant field, of which at least five years should have been at the international level.
Proven experience in waste management and waste predisposal or related activities. - Experience of working in a national/international nuclear organization or institute 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 $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.
