Radioactive Waste Safety Specialist (P4) – IAEA jobs Vienna
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 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 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 exploited 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 Radioactive Waste and Spent Fuel Management Unit develops safety standards for the management of all types of radioactive waste and spent fuel and promotes their application among Member States, and provides the Secretariat for the Joint Convention and the Waste Safety Standards Committee (WASSC). The Unit fosters the exchange of information among Member States through the organization of meetings, conferences and dedicated projects on the management of radioactive waste, and the sharing of insights gained from advisory and peer review missions with other Member States. It provides leadership for review and training services to operators, regulators and other specialized organizations involved in the safety of radioactive waste and spent fuel management. The Unit provides technical support to a substantial number of projects supported by the IAEA’s technical cooperation programme and the Asian Nuclear Safety Network, including training courses and dedicated workshops.
Main Purpose
The Radioactive Waste Safety Specialist reports to the Unit Head and provides expertise and knowledge to the planning and implementation of the Unit’s work programme. The Radioactive Waste Safety Specialist will oversee specific activities relating to the development and application of safety standards on the predisposal management and the disposal of all types of radioactive waste and spent fuel.
Role
The Radioactive Waste Safety Specialist is:
(1) a scientific secretary, in charge of the development of safety standards and other related publications on the safe management of radioactive waste and spent fuel,
(2) a technical officer and subject matter specialist providing expertise and advices on the safety of spent fuel management and on the safety of radioactive waste management within the Agency and to Member States, including through the IAEA’s technical cooperation programme or other IAEA networks,
(3) a coordinator and project manager, leading appraisal, advisory and peer review missions to Member States,
(4) a facilitator and project manager, promoting the exchange of information and sharing of knowledge among specialists at international technical meetings and projects 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 radioactive waste and spent fuel management 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 IAEA publications, based on the most recent knowledge and experience in the safety of radioactive waste and spent fuel management
• Contribute to capacity building in Member States by developing training materials and organizing training events
• Provide direct technical support to Member States regarding the application of international safety standards including through national and regional technical cooperation projects or other supporting activities, in close coordination with the relevant officers in the IAEA
• Coordinate and participate in international appraisal, advisory and peer review missions to Member States aimed at baselining and improving the level of safety in radioactive waste and spent fuel management
• Plan and implement events (e.g. conferences, technical meeting, workshops and specialised forums) to promote the sharing of knowledge and the exchange of information and develop consensus between Member States
• Communicate the results of Member States and IAEA activities to a wider audience
• Build and maintain strategic partnerships, collaboration and alliances with Member States and other international organizations to promote and apply the IAEA 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(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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Joint Convention | Knowledge of the Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management. |
| Radiation, Transport and Waste Safety | Radioactive Waste and Spent Fuel Management | Expertise in safe management of radioactive waste and knowledge and understanding of safety assessments and safety cases related to pre-disposal and disposal of radioactive waste |
| Radiation, Transport and Waste Safety | Safe Disposal of Radioactive Waste | Expertise in disposal of radioactive waste. |
| Radiation, Transport and Waste Safety | Safe Management of Disused Sealed Sources | Knowledge of safe and secure long-term management of disused sealed radioactive sources. |
| Radiation, Transport and Waste Safety | Safe Predisposal Management of Radioactive Waste and Spent Fuel | Expertise in safe pre-disposal (pre-treatment, treatment, conditioning, storage) of radioactive waste. |
Qualifications, Experience and Language skills
Master’s Degree – Advanced university degree in a relevant technical field.
Bachelor’s Degree – University degree in a relevant technical field with two years of additional relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.
• Minimum seven years’ experience in the field of radioactive waste and spent fuel management, of which at least 3 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 $ 45777*, 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.
