Waste Safety Specialist (Pre Disposal Management) (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 Waste Safety Specialist (Pre Disposal Management) reports to the Unit Head and contributes specialised technical knowledge to the planning and implementation of the Unit’s work programme mainly for activities related to the predisposal management of radioactive waste including the derivation of clearance levels and the generation and minimisation of radioactive waste . The Waste Safety Specialist (Pre Disposal Management) will oversee specific activities relating to the development and application of safety standards in these areas.
Role
The Waste Safety Specialist (Pre Disposal Management) is:
(1) an expert in radioactive waste management in particular in the predisposal management of all types of radioactive waste, including in the derivation of clearance levels and in the control of radioactive waste (generation and minimisation of radioactive waste)
(2) a scientific secretary, supporting the development and application of safety standards and other related documents in the domains of concern (predisposal management of radioactive waste, derivation of clearance levels, generation and minimisation of radioactive waste)
(3) a technical officer and subject matter expert providing expert advice within the Agency and to Member States, through the development of relevant guidance as well as the assistance to member States,
(4) a facilitator, promoting the exchange of information among specialists and participating Member States at international technical meetings and encouraging consensus on constructive actions that can be taken to improve the level of safety in the management of radioactive waste in particular in the domains of concern (predisposal management of radioactive waste, derivation of clearance levels, generation and minimisation of radioactive waste)
Functions / Key Results Expected
Plan and lead consultancy and technical meetings to support the development of specific guidance on the safe predisposal management of radioactive waste in particular on the establishment of specific clearance levels to enable reuse and recycling of the large volumes of material arising from decommissioning and remediation activities as well as on the control of generation and minimisation of radioactive waste.
Contribute to capacity building in Member States by developing training materials and organizing training events in relation to the domains of concern.
Provide direct technical support on the domains of concern to Member States regarding the application of international safety standards through national and regional technical cooperation projects, in close coordination with the responsible programme management officers in the Department of Technical Cooperation.
As needed, provide support to any other activities of the Radioactive waste and Spent Fuel Management unit including by coordinating and participating in international advisory and appraisal missions to Member States aimed at baselining and improving the level of safety in radioactive waste and spent fuel management.
As required, provide support to the planning and implementation of events (e.g. conferences, technical meeting, workshops and specialised forums) to promote the exchange of information and develop consensus between affected Member States.
Communicate the results of Member State and IAEA activities to a wider audience, including other Member States, through the preparation of papers, articles and documents for publication.
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 | 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. |
| 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. |
Functional Competencies
| Name | Definition |
|---|---|
| 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. |
| Partnership building | Identifies interests and goals common to the Agency’s partners and its stakeholders to foster partnership building. Promotes collaboration with partners, colleagues across teams and stakeholders. |
| Technical/scientific credibility | Provides guidance and advice in his/her area of expertise on the application of scientific/professional methods, procedures and approaches. |
Required Expertise
| Function | Name | Expertise Description |
|---|---|---|
| Radiation, Transport and Waste Safety | Application of Safety Standards | Experience in the derivation of clearance level and the control and minimisation of radioactive waste. |
| Radiation, Transport and Waste Safety | Education and Training Development in Waste Safety | Experience in the development and implementation of training material and the organization of training events. |
| Radiation, Transport and Waste Safety | Radioactive Waste and Spent Fuel Management | Experience in the development and implementation of policies and strategies for the safe management of radioactive waste. |
| Radiation, Transport and Waste Safety | Safe Predisposal Management of Radioactive Waste and Spent Fuel | Knowledge and understanding of safety measures, safety case and safety assessment related to the predisposal management of radioactive waste. |
Asset Expertise
| Function | Name | Expertise Description |
|---|---|---|
| Radiation, Transport and Waste Safety | Safe Disposal of Radioactive Waste | Knowledge and understanding of safety measures, safety case and safety assessment related to disposal of radioactive waste. |
| Radiation, Transport and Waste Safety | Safe Management of Disused Sealed Sources | Experience in the development and implementation of policies and strategies for the safe management of DSRS. |
Qualifications, Experience and Language skills
Master’s Degree – Advanced University degree in Nuclear, Chemical or related Science.
Bachelor’s Degree – University degree in in Nuclear, Chemical or related Science with two additional years of relevant experience may be considered in lieu of advanced university degree.
Minimum seven years of relevant experience in the fields of radioactive waste and spent fuel management and radiation safety, of which five years should have been concerned with regulatory or safety aspects of the management of radioactive waste and spent fuel.
Experience in international projects desirable, particularly with developing countries, and in implementing a strategic approach to achieving improvements.
Experience in preparing and delivering training on relevant technical issues.
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.
