Nuclear Safeguards Inspector (Radioanalyst QA manager)(P4)

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 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 Office of Safeguards Analytical Services (SGAS) is responsible for the analysis of inspection samples collected in the field. Located about 45 km south of Vienna in Seibersdorf, SGAS is organized into three sections: the Nuclear Material Laboratory (NML), the Environmental Sample Laboratory (ESL) and the Coordination and Support Section (CSS). The laboratory sections conduct the screening, chemical treatment and measurement of the inspection samples. The Coordination and Support Section provides a variety of key services to the laboratories, as well as managing the network of analytical laboratories. SGAS also manages analytical and inspection activities in a dedicated On-Site Laboratory at the Rokkasho Reprocessing Plant in Japan.

Main Purpose

The Nuclear Safeguards Inspector (Radioanalyst QA Manager) is a member of a team led by the On-Site Laboratory (OSL) Team Leader, and participates in the analytical operations of the OSL, which is located on the Rokkasho Reprocessing Plant (RRP) site in Japan. His/her main assignment is to implement and continuously improve the OSL quality system. As such, he/she is responsible for the overall quality of analytical activities at the OSL.

Role

The incumbent is (1) a Quality Assurance Manager responsible for the overall quality of analytical activities at the OSL; (2) a Safeguards Inspector who performs safeguards verification activities, and (3) a radioanalyst who carries out destructive analyses (DA) and non-destructive assay (NDA) techniques on plutonium-bearing samples. All Safeguards Inspectors are subject to the approval of the Board of Governors and acceptance of the designation by relevant countries. The work involves extensive travel and time away from the duty station (more than 100 days a year), including travel and work on weekends and IAEA holidays.

Functions / Key Results Expected

Maintain and continuously improve the OSL quality assurance/control system, with emphasis on radiochemical operations and the functionality of analytical instrumentation.
Take responsibility for the quality of analytical activities at the OSL, including confirmation of analytical results, quality control of the analytical measurement system (calibration of analytical instruments, quality control measurements, etc.), maintenance of the laboratory information management system (LIMS), and the implementation of authentication measures.
Take responsibility for identifying the source of deviations from established requirements for sample results, calibration results or quality control results, and for the implementation of appropriate corrective actions.
Take responsibility for quality checking of analytical results within a framework of validated analytical methods and well characterized measurement uncertainties before overall reporting.
Perform standard analytical procedures in the OSL, including hands-on analytical work with plutonium-bearing samples in glove boxes and hot cells.
Oversee the routine maintenance of analytical instrumentation, participate in periodical calibrations and the preparation of quality control samples, coordinate and participate in occasional interlaboratory comparisons, perform routine quality control measurements, and participate in the development and implementation of new analytical techniques or methods.
Prepare and carry out IAEA safeguards inspections at various nuclear facilities/sites and collect information to confirm the operators’ declarations.

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
 
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.
 
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.

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.
 
Resilience
Maintains a high level of performance when facing pressure and uncertainty. Able to remain calm and self-controlled, and to respond logically and decisively in difficult situations.
 
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
 
 
 
Safeguards
Destructive Assay
Ability in using destructive analysis techniques related to safeguards samples (e.g. isotope dilution mass spectrometry, spectrophotometry).
 
 
 
Safeguards
Non-destructive Assay
Background in one or more NDA technique(s) relevant to safeguards (e.g. k-edge densitometry, X-ray fluorescence, gamma/alpha spectroscopy).
 
 
 
Safeguards
Quality Management of Analytical Measurement
In-depth knowledge and practical skills in designing, maintaining or auditing quality management systems according to one or more international standards as applied to a laboratory setting (e.g., ISO 9001, ISO 17025).
 
 
 
Chemistry
Radiochemistry
Practical skills in employing chemical treatment schemes (e.g. dissolution, chemical separation, isotope dilution) to radioactive samples containing plutonium and/or uranium.

Qualifications, Experience and Language skills

• Master’s Degree – Advanced university degree in analytical chemistry, applied nuclear physics or other related field.
• Bachelor’s Degree – First level university degree in analytical chemistry, applied nuclear physics or other related field plus two years of additional work experience may be considered in lieu of the Advanced university degree.
• Minimum of seven years of experience in a relevant analytical field, preferably associated with laboratory operations or analytical method development in a laboratory environment.
• Experience in and sound knowledge of handling uranium, plutonium and other actinides; experience in performing high quality work in an analytical laboratory (preferably a nuclear laboratory); practical work experience with highly radioactive samples using hot cell manipulators is highly desirable.
• Experience in a certified/accredited quality assurance system such as ISO 9001 and/or ISO 17025 would be considered a strong asset.
• Excellent oral and written command of English. Knowledge of other official IAEA languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Japanese, 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 $ 47401, 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.