This is a re-opening of the vacancy. Previous applicants need not re-apply.

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

The Safeguards Inspector (Radioanalyst) is a member of the On-Site Laboratory (OSL) Team and participates in the analytical operations located on the Rokkasho Reprocessing Plant (RRP) site in Japan. His/her main assignment is to perform treatments and measurements on samples for the purpose of IAEA safeguards. He/she also conducts appropriate analytical evaluation, quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) measures in consultation with the OSL Radioanalyst QA Manager.

Role

The Radioanalyst is: (1) an analyst who performs routine sample treatments and measurements from safeguards samples at the OSL; and (2) a safeguards inspector who performs safeguards verification activities.

All Safeguards Inspectors are subject to the approval of the Board of Governors and acceptance of the designation by relevant countries. The work involves extensive travel and time away from the duty station (more than 100 days a year), including travel and work on weekends and IAEA holidays.

Functions / Key Results Expected

• Carry out radiochemical work on nuclear material samples, such as sample dissolution, chemical separation (i.e., uranium/plutonium separation or fission product separation) and isotope dilution mass spectrometry (IDMS).
• Perform or observe the sample processing inside hot cells carried out by facility operators using master-slave manipulators.
• Carry out measurements on several different analytical instruments, such as neutron coincidence counters, alpha and gamma spectrometers, hybrid K-edge densitometers (HKED), spectrophotometers, thermal ionization mass spectrometers (TIMS) and densitometers.
• Analyse and evaluate analytical data and report analytical results.
• Plan and coordinate analytical activities on site and generate regular weekly report of activities.
• Perform data verification and validation, as well as make assessments of measurement uncertainties associated with analytical results.
• Ensure that analytical results are obtained under the appropriate authentication measures in force at the OSL.
• Implement adequate nuclear material accountancy and QA procedures, identify the source of any deviation from the required accuracy and/or precision of sample results, and implement appropriate corrective actions when deviations occur.
• When applicable, perform routine maintenance of the analytical equipment, track maintenance records and analytical equipment performance, participate in periodical calibrations, interlaboratory comparisons and the preparation of QC samples, performing routine QC measurements.
• Prepare and carry out IAEA safeguards inspections at various nuclear facilities/sites and collect information to confirm the operators’ declarations.

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

Required Expertise

Qualifications, Experience and Language skills

• Bachelor’s Degree – University degree in Physics, Chemistry or Engineering.
• At least five years of relevant experience in a relevant analytical field, preferably associated with laboratory operations or analytical method development in a laboratory environment.
• Experience in and sound knowledge of quality systems as applied to a laboratory setting.
• Experience in and sound knowledge of handling uranium, plutonium and other actinides; ability to perform high quality work in an analytical laboratory (preferably a nuclear laboratory); practical work experience with highly radioactive samples using hot cell manipulators is desirable.
• Excellent oral and written command of English. Knowledge of other official IAEA languages (Arabic, Chinese, English, 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 $64121 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance), a variable post adjustment which currently amounts to US $ 36805*, 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.