Disused Radioactive Sources Safety Specialist (P4)

This is a re-opening of the vacancy. Candidates who already applied do not need to re-submit an application.

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

 

Under the supervision and the guidance of the RWSFM Unit Head, and in close coordination with colleagues from the RWSFM Unit and other IAEA organizational units as needed, the Disused Radioactive Sources Safety Specialist will lead the technical implementation of safety aspects of large-scale, technical assistance projects and activities aimed at supporting States in the safe and sustainable long-term management of disused radioactive sources. The Disused Radioactive Sources Safety Specialist will be responsible for providing high-level technical backstopping for activities aimed at ensuring the safety of the long term management disused sealed radioactive sources radioactive when declared as radioactive waste, such as the development of dedicated safety standards and other international publications, the provision for their application among other things through the organization of training events and expert missions, as well as the backstopping of safety aspects related to the implementation of long term management strategies. Furthermore, the Disused Radioactive Sources Safety Specialist will support the organisation of peer review in relation to the safe management of radioactive waste, including disused sealed radioactive sources.

 

Role

 

The Disused Radioactive Sources Safety Specialist is: (1) a recognized expert in all aspects related to the safety of radioactive waste and disused sealed radioactive sources, with a good overall understanding of related regulatory aspects; (2) a technical coordinator for the implementation of assistance projects, including guiding and facilitating discussions with States representatives, and other relevant international organizations and initiatives during IAEA missions to beneficiary countries; (3) a Scientific Secretary to international technical meetings related to the safe management of disused sealed radioactive sources, overseeing the preparation of related documents; (4) a substantive contributor, providing inputs to the consolidation and development of IAEA publications as well as training courses tailored to the specific needs of beneficiary States; and (5) a liaison between representatives of operators, national regulatory bodies and other competent authorities in States, experts and relevant stakeholders in the field of safe and sustainable management of disused sealed radioactive sources.

 

Functions / Key Results Expected

 

• Perform and oversee, in collaboration with NSNS and NEFW, the technical analysis and assessment of States’ needs in the area of safe, secure and sustainable management of disused sealed radioactive sources, and propose innovative approaches to address identified shortcomings;
• Provide authoritative advice and assistance on the development and implementation of national policy and strategy(ies) for the safe management of DSRS;
• Maintain and update existing safety standards and other supporting publications related to the safe management of DSRS and develop new publications as needed and appropriate;
• Provide authoritative technical and strategic advice to, and support States, in collaboration with NSNS, in capacity building, including conduct of training, workshops, exercises and seminars related to safe, secure and sustainable management of disused radioactive sources;
• Coordinate the preparation and evaluation of technical documentation within IAEA procurement processes to support States with the implementation of identified management options, solutions and practices for disused sealed radioactive sources;
• Organize and oversee, in collaboration with NSNS and NEFW, international meetings on the establishment and strengthening of national capabilities for the safe, secure and sustainable management of disused radioactive sources; and

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

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Name	Definition
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 Competencies

Name	Definition
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 Expertise

Function	Name	Expertise Description
Radiation, Transport and Waste Safety	Application of Safety Standards	experience in applying safety standards for radioactive waste (workshops, trainings, expert missions…)
Radiation, Transport and Waste Safety	Radioactive Waste and Spent Fuel Management	knowledge and experience in the management of all types of radioactive waste including disused sealed radioactive sources
Radiation, Transport and Waste Safety	Safe Predisposal Management of Radioactive Waste and Spent Fuel	specific knowledge and experience related to the predisposal management (pretreatment, treatment, conditioning, storage) of radioactive waste

Asset Expertise

Function	Name	Expertise Description
Radiation, Transport and Waste Safety	Development of IAEA Safety Standards	knowledge of the safety standards for radioactive waste and their development process
Radiation, Transport and Waste Safety	Safe Disposal of Radioactive Waste	specific knowledge and experience related to the safe disposal of radioactive waste
Radiation, Transport and Waste Safety	Safe Management of Disused Sealed Sources	expertise in the safe management of disused sealed radioactive sources

 

Qualifications, Experience and Language skills

 

Master’s Degree – Nuclear Sciences or Engineering, or a closely related technical field; a first-level university degree with three additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree;

Minimum of seven years of working experience in waste safety, of which at least five should be specifically related to the safety of disused sealed radioactive sources;
Demonstrated experience in working with national and international organizations or institutes, and the IAEA in particular, in the delivery of technical assistance to developing countries;
Experience in implementing result-based projects/ activities aimed at supporting States in the safe, secure and sustainable management of disused radioactive sources is an asset;
Excellent oral and written command of English. Knowledge of other official IAEA languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish), especially French and/or 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 $ 36266, dependency benefits, rental subsidy, education grant, relocation and repatriation expenses; 6 weeks’ annual vacation, home leave, pension plan and health insurance

 

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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
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