Company Description

THE OECD – Who we are, what we do

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is an international organisation comprised of 38 member countries, whose mission is to build better policies for better lives. We promote policies that will improve the economic and social well-being of people around the world. Together with governments, policy makers and citizens, we work to establish evidence-based international standards, and finding solutions to a broad range of social, economic and environmental challenges, from the improvement of economic performance and creating jobs to fostering strong education and fighting international tax evasion. We provide a unique forum and knowledge hub for data and analysis, exchange of experiences, best-practice sharing, and advice on public policies and international standard-setting.

THE NUCLEAR ENERGY AGENCY

The Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) is an intergovernmental agency which operates under the framework of the OECD. It facilitates co-operation among countries with advanced nuclear technology infrastructures to seek excellence in nuclear safety, technology, science, related environmental and economic matters and law. The mission of the NEA is to assist its 34 member countries in maintaining and further developing, through international co-operation, the scientific, technological and legal bases required for a safe, environmentally sound and economical use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. It strives to provide authoritative assessments and to forge common understandings on key issues as input to government decisions on nuclear technology policies.

THE POSITION

The critical priority of NEA responsibilities focuses on safety and regulation of nuclear facilities. Recent operating experience has demonstrated a vital need to place more attention on areas of nuclear safety such as safety culture, human and organisational factors, leadership, personnel training policies and practices, and safety related public communication and stakeholder engagement. The NEA division of Radiological Protection and Human Aspects of Nuclear Safety (RP-HANS) deals with these important subjects.

The NEA is seeking to recruit a highly proven lead specialist with leadership insights in a relevant field to serve as expert for safety culture, human and organisational factors and related areas. S/he will work under the supervision of the Head of the RP-HANS Division and work directly with other senior officials of the Agency.

Job Description

Main Responsibilities

Working group management

• Responsible for planing and organising meetings and conducting analysis in support of country level safety culture, human and organisation aspect of nuclear safety and other related reviews.
• Responsible for engaging with and leading technical missions that involve the participation of top-level regulators, government, senior scientists and industry leaders on topics related to safety culture and other human aspects of nuclear safety.
• Provide expert input and advice, adapt plans and priorities as needed, to ensure the effective conduct of country specific safety culture initiatives including data collection and analysis, report writing and co-ordination.
• Provide specialised support to the standing technical committees and working groups and specialist meetings concerned with nuclear safety culture, human and organisational factors, leadership, training, stakeholder engagement and trust building and related areas.
• Identify and maintain liaison and co-ordination with relevant national administrations and international organisations and represent the NEA at conferences and international meetings, summarising relevant activities at the NEA, and provide reports on such events.

Planning and co-ordination

• Develop, plan and organise safety culture relevant activities of the Division, provide guidance to the technical groups, analyse data, prepare working documents and maintain liaison and co-ordination with relevant national administrations and international organisations.
• Ensure close co-ordination with the other units of the NEA and crosscutting areas with OECD Directorates as and when required.
• Maintain necessary co-ordination and, as appropriate, close co-operation with other international organisations active in the field of safety culture.

Analysis and drafting

• Analyse data and draft working documents including policy, guidance, and best practice documents.
• Support the production of high quality documents and prepare summaries and documentation based on the technical information arising from these activities, co- ordinate and participate in the preparation of state-of-the-art reports and technical notes.

• Prepare papers and presentations suitable for a high-level policy audience and for NEA publications.
• Keep abreast of research and policies in safety culture, human and organisational factors and related areas including their local dimension.
• Ensure close co-ordination with the other units of the NEA and cross cutting areas with OECD Directorates as and when required.

Representation and outreach

• Represent the NEA at conferences and international meetings, summarising relevant activities at the NEA, provide reports on such events and identify opportunities for new activities and co-operations.

Qualifications

Ideal Candidate profile

Academic Background

• An advanced university degree in a relevant field such as engineering, science, psychology, sociology or other social sciences, or equivalent social science professional training. University degree coupled with extensive professional experience will be considered.

Professional Background

• At least eight, preferably ten years of professional experience in planning and co- ordinating projects and studies in areas related to nuclear energy that are relevant to the mission of the Division, ideally with a nuclear safety, research and/or operations institute or organisation.
• Proven experience as a a lead inspector reviewing safety culture or as a lead practioner with a licensee responsible for organisational safety culture programmes would be a definite asset.
• Proven experience of analysing human and organisational aspect of nuclear safety.
• Proven experience in interacting with a broad variety of stakeholders including national and international safety experts, policy experts, regulatory authorities and safety institutions and the public for developing consensus on nuclear safety priorities.
• Experience in the management of complex projects within an international team and ability to manage a Programme of Work with strict deadlines and within budget. Leadership experience will be regarded as an asset.

Additional Information

Core competencies

• OECD staff are expected to demonstrate behaviours aligned to six core competencies which will be assessed as part of the hiring processes: Vision and Strategy (Level 3), Enable People (Level 2), Ethics and Integrity (Level 2), Collaboration and Horizontality (Level 3), Achieve Results (Level 3), Innovate and Embrace Change (Level 3).
• There are three possible levels for each competency. The level for each competency is determined according to the specific needs of each job role and its associated grade.
• To learn more about the definitions for each competency for levels 1-3, please refer to OECD Core Competencies.

Languages

• Fluency in one of the two OECD official languages (English and French) and good knowledge of the other, with a commitment to reach a very good working level.

Contract Duration

• Two-year fixed term appointment, with the possibility of renewal.

Please note that our Rules and Regulations stipulate that the mandatory retirement age is 67.

Closing date

This vacancy will be filled as soon as possible, and applications should reach us no later than midnight 19 January 2025 (23:59 CET).

Process

All applications are screened based on the criteria for the position. For candidates who are screened-in, written tests and/or video-recorded interviews are foreseen as part of the selection process, and panel interviews for the final shortlisted candidates.

What the OECD offers

• Depending on the level of experience, monthly salary starts at 9,349 EUR, plus allowances, based on eligibility, exempt of French income tax.
• Click here to learn more about what we offer and why the OECD is a great place to work.
• Click here to browse our People Management Guidebook and learn more about all aspects relating to people at the OECD, our workplace environment and many other policies supporting staff in their daily life.

Salary Information

Please note, the appointment may be made at a lower grade based on the qualifications and professional experience of the selected applicant.

The OECD is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes the applications of all qualified candidates who are nationals of NEA or OECD member countries, irrespective of their racial or ethnic origin, opinions or beliefs, gender, sexual orientation, health or disabilities.

The OECD promotes an optimal use of resources in order to improve its efficiency and effectiveness. Staff members are encouraged to actively contribute to this goal.