Closing date: Thursday, 20 April 2023
Waste Safety Specialist (NSRW)(P4)
( 2023/0231 (002668) )
Organization: NSRW-Radioactive Waste and Spent Fuel Management Unit
Primary Location: Austria-Vienna-Vienna-IAEA Headquarters
Job Posting: 2023-03-23, 8:00:11 AM
Contract Type : Fixed Term
Regular
Probation Period : 1 Year
Full Competitive Recruitment : Yes
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 reports to the Unit Head and contributes specialised technical knowledge to the planning and implementation of the Unit’s work programme. The Waste Safety Specialist will oversee specific activities relating to the development and application of safety standards in their area of expertise.
Role
The Waste Safety Specialist is: (1) a scientific secretary, coordinating the development of safety standards and other related documents.
(2) a technical officer and subject matter expert providing expert advice within the Agency and to Member States, including through the IAEA’s technical cooperation programme.
(3) a coordinator, leading appraisal and advisory missions to Member States.
(4) a facilitator, promoting the exchange of information among specialists at international technical meetings 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 specialist IAEA publications, based on the most recent knowledge and experience in 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 through national and regional technical cooperation projects, in close coordination with the responsible programme management officers in the Department of Technical Cooperation.
- Coordinate and participate 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.
- Plan and implement 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.
- Build and maintain strategic partnerships and alliances with Member States and other international organizations to promote the application of international 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 CompetenciesNameDefinition
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 CompetenciesNameDefinition
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 ExpertiseFunctionNameExpertise 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 including spent fuel.
Radiation, Transport and Waste Safety
Safe Disposal of Radioactive Waste
Expertise in disposal of all types 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 all types of radioactive waste.
Asset ExpertiseFunctionNameExpertise Description
Radiation, Transport and Waste Safety
Team Leader and/or Member in International Peer Review
Experience of organising or taking part in international peer reviews related to the management of radioactive waste and spent fuel.
Qualifications, Experience and Language skills
- An Advanced University degree in a relevant technical field. A first-level university degree in a relevant technical field with three additional years of 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 $ 36189*, 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.
