Section Head (Nuclear Fuel Cycle Information Analysis)(P5)
JOB DETAIL
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 Division of Information Management (SGIM) implements state of the art methodologies and techniques for the collection, processing and analysis of a range of safeguards-relevant information, including declarations submitted by States, evaluations resulting from the analysis of samples or measurements collected during infield activities, and information from open sources, including nuclear trade-related data and satellite imagery. Staff perform data validation and complex information analysis and evaluation to support infield activities and provide key input to the State evaluation process.
Main Purpose
As part of the management team of the Division and reporting to the Director, the Section Head (Nuclear Fuel Cycle Information Analysis) leads and motivates the staff of the Nuclear Fuel Cycle Analysis Section in line with the strategic direction of the Division and Department, managing resources and driving process improvements to ensure the delivery of results. The Nuclear Fuel Cycle Analysis Section is responsible for: 1) ensuring the quality of verification data from all nuclear material samples, environmental samples and infield measurements collected by inspectors in nuclear fuel cycle facilities and sites; 2) comparing the resulting data with State-declared information with a view to detecting the possible diversion of nuclear material and undeclared material and activities; 3) contributing to the development of verification strategies to optimize detection probabilities of possible proliferation-related events, and 4) developing and implementing associated analytical tools and methodologies. The Section Head is responsible for ensuring high quality contributions to the Departmental collaborative analytical processes and efficient integration of the Section’s analytical outputs in the State evaluation process and other safeguards evaluation and implementation efforts.
Role
The Section Head is: 1) a leader and manager, providing guidance and motivation to the team and planning resources with a view to achieving efficient and effective results in accordance with strategic objectives; 2) a substantive expert in conducting analysis related to nuclear material accounting, environmental sampling, uncertainty quantification, and material balance evaluations, leveraging knowledge and experience in the use of advanced analytical techniques and methodologies; 3) an adviser on matters of policy, strategy and complex cases; and 4) a developer, implementer, and change manager of new strategies for improving processes and enhancing technologies and techniques.
Functions / Key Results Expected
Lead the Nuclear Fuel Cycle Information Analysis Section, motivate the team and promote internal and external collaboration in order to optimize resources in line with strategic objectives, establishing concrete objectives, milestones and performance indicators.
Ensure that the Section maintains an appropriate balance of skills and resources in its areas of responsibility through recruitment, training and mentoring.
Play a key role in State evaluations and support to Operations Divisions, specifically during the planning and preparation of infield sampling campaigns and the subsequent analysis of inspection data including sample evaluations (bulk measurements, environmental, destructive analysis (DA), non-destructive assay (NDA)).
Manage the development of work plans, project planning and integration of analytical results with information from other sources through partnership with teams dealing with field activities, State Declared information, and open source information, including satellite imagery and geospatial data, with a view to enhancing the Department’s information collaborative approach.
Identify questions, inconsistencies and nuclear non-proliferation issues related to nuclear material accounting, environmental sampling, and statistical data analysis with particular emphasis on verification measurement quality and material balance evaluations.
Provide advisory expertise on specific aspects of analytical methodologies to other Divisions in the Department, assisting in the preparation of policy and technical documents and participating as a technical expert, scientific secretary or instructor in meetings or training courses as required.
Drive the development of competences, methodologies and tools to enhance the contribution of the Section to analytical processes, including State evaluations as well as other safeguards implementation activities.
Subject to approval by the Board of Governors, participate in safeguards inspections and complementary accesses and provide support to infield verification activities.
Liaise with Member States regarding the promotion of technical assistance in areas of competence, including contributions to improvements of the SSACs’ (State systems of accounting for and control of nuclear material) and operators’ safeguards-related capabilities, and to raise assistance in the context of Member States’ support programmes and other possible assistance mechanisms.
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 |
|---|---|
|   | |
| Planning and Organizing | Sets clearly defined objectives for himself/herself and the team or Section. Identifies and organizes deployment of resources based on assessed needs, taking into account possible changing circumstances. Monitors team’s performance in meeting the assigned deadlines and milestones. |
|   | |
| Communication | Encourages open communication and builds consensus. Uses tact and discretion in dealing with sensitive information, and keeps staff informed of decisions and directives as appropriate. |
|   | |
| Achieving Results | Sets realistic targets for himself/herself and for the team; ensures availability of resources and supports staff members in achieving results. Monitors progress and performance; evaluates achievements and integrates lessons learned. |
|   | |
| Teamwork | Encourages teamwork, builds effective teams and resolves problems by creating a supportive and collaborative team spirit, remaining mindful of the need to collaborate with people outside the immediate area of responsibility. |
Functional Competencies
| Name | Definition |
|---|---|
|   | |
| Analytical thinking | Applies business analytics to establish programme priorities. Makes rational judgements from the available information and analysis. |
|   | |
| Commitment to continuous process improvement | Assesses the effectiveness of functions and systems as well as current practices; streamlines standards and processes and develops innovative approaches to programme development and implementation. |
|   | |
| Judgement/decision making | Consults with and seeks advice at the appropriate managerial level when making complex decisions. Facilitates dialogue and development of best practice to support judgement/decision making, in full compliance with the Agency’s regulations and rules. |
Required Expertise
| Function | Name | Expertise Description |
|---|---|---|
|   |   |   |
| Management and Programme Analysis | Analytical Techniques | Ability to conceptualize and promote the implementation of new technical concepts for safeguards enhancement as well as to keep abreast of developments in relevant information management techniques and technologies. |
|   |   |   |
| Information Management | Information Analysis | Demonstrated ability to exercise unbiased, tactful and prudent judgement on sensitive issues, based on in-depth factual analysis. |
|   |   |   |
| Safeguards | Quality Management | Proven experience with a range of analytical techniques for NFC information analysis with the ability to oversee the development of analytical methodologies and processes for the delivery of high-quality analytical products. |
|   |   |   |
| Safeguards | Safeguards System, Advanced | Strong understanding of infield verification activities, including the taking of samples and measurements, nuclear material accounting, and material balance evaluations. |
Qualifications, Experience and Language skills
Bachelor’s Degree – First level university degree in in chemistry, physics, statistics, or nuclear engineering or a related field plus four years of relevant experience may be considered in lieu of the Advanced university degree.
Master’s Degree – Advanced university degree in chemistry, physics, statistics, or nuclear engineering or a related field.
Minimum of 10 years of experience, including at international level, in information management and analysis related to nuclear fuel cycle data and non-proliferation issues, with at least seven years of demonstrable experience in information collection, processing, analysis and the use of complex tools and techniques.
Significant experience in developing, leading and motivating teams dedicated to information analysis; determining clear goals, roles and responsibilities; providing feedback on performance; and encouraging staff development.
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 $92731 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance), a variable post adjustment which currently amounts to US $ 43398*, 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
