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 Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (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 cooperation, 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 Division of Radioactive Waste Management and Decommissioning assist the Committee for Radioactive Waste Management (RWMC) and the Committee on Decommissioning of Nuclear Installations and Legacy Management (CDLM) by providing secretariat support and implementing their programme of work.

Job Description

NEA is looking for Nuclear Chemist or Geochemist with relevant experience in the area of chemical thermodynamics to support the work of the Division of Radioactive Waste Management and Decommissioning (RWMD).  The candidate will also serve as a project lead/ co-ordinator and database manager for the NEA Thermochemical Database (TDB) Project. Under the guidance of the TDB Project Management Board and working with a team of international experts, this will involve the collection and review of relevant technical information as well as the preparation of guidance reports for database users. The key output from the project is a set of reliable thermodynamic parameters that can be used to describe the behaviour of radionuclides under conditions relevant for radioactive waste disposal systems and the geochemical environments. S/he will work under the supervision of the Head of the Division for Radioactive Waste Management and Decommissioning and will work closely with other NEA staff to achieve the overall objectives of the Agency.

The selected candidate will support the NEA Division of Radioactive Waste Management and the Data Bank in activities as the Thermochemical Database Project Co-ordinator. S/he will work under the supervision of the Head of the Division for Radioactive Waste Management and Decommissioning and will work closely with other NEA staff to achieve the overall objectives of the Agency.

Management and co-ordination

• Ensure the management and co-ordination of the thermochemical database (TDB) project, which develops and maintains a chemical thermodynamic database of selected chemical elements relevant to the modelling of radioactive waste disposal systems.
• Act as scientific secretary of TDB Project Review Team meetings, as well as the TDB Executive Group and Management Board meetings, including preparation of meetings, drafting of summary records and editing of technical reports.
• Provide technical and organisational assistance for meetings of the RWMC and its ancillary bodies. This will include active participation in expert groups: guidance and management of the programme of work, preparation and facilitation of meetings, drafting of summary records and other support functions.
• Report on the work of assigned groups to the Agency’s supervising committees and expert groups as well as at international conferences and specialists’ meetings. Provide expert input to and co-operate with other relevant NEA Standing Technical Committees and their ancillary bodies, as the need arises.

Liaison and Outreach

• Develop good working relationships and close contacts with the TDB Project Management Board and the TDB review teams. Ensure close co-ordination with other activities within the NEA, particularly in the areas of waste management, as well as maintaining links with other international organisations active in the field of radionuclide behaviour.
• Lead and manage the junior scientist(s) involved in the TDB project.
• Liaise and co-ordinate with other national and international organisations as appropriate. Report on and present the work of the NEA in this area to external audiences.

Other

• Carry out other related duties as assigned by the Head of Division.

Qualifications

Academic and Professional Background

• Advanced university degree in nuclear chemistry, chemical engineering, geochemistry or equivalent
• At least 3 to 5 years’ professional experience in a relevant work area.  

• An advanced degree in nuclear chemistry, geochemistry or equivalent would be considered as an advantage.
• Proven capacity in establishing and implementing projects and working groups, including coordinating input from multiple experts or groups.
• Ability to deal with experts at all levels in national and international administrations and in industry.

Communication and Languages

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

Core Competencies                                                                        

• OECD staff are expected to demonstrate behaviours aligned to six core competencies which will be assessed as part of this hiring processes: Vision and Strategy (Level 2); Enable People (Level 1); Ethics and Integrity (Level 2); Collaboration and Horizontality (Level 2); Achieve Results (Level 2); Innovate and Embrace Change (Level 2).
• 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.

Additional Information

Contract Duration

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

What the OECD offers

• Depending on level of experience, monthly salary starts at 6 666 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 that the appointment may be made at one grade lower in the specified job family, based on the qualifications and professional experience of the selected applicant.

Process

DEADLINE EXTENDED – The application will close on 9 June 2024 at 23:59 Paris time.

All applications are screened based on the criteria for the position.  For candidates who are screened-in, written tests/video-recorded interviews are foreseen late May, and panel interviews are planned for mid-June.

The OECD is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates who are nationals of 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. Our selection processes are merit-based; we strive to enhance diversity both from national and gender perspectives while running fair, transparent and competitive selection processes.

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