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Senior Safety Officer (P-5)

Issue Date: 24 November 2011
Application Deadline: 4 January 2012
Type/Duration of Appointment: Fixed term, 3 years (subject to a probationary period of 1 year)

Organizational Setting

The Department of Nuclear Safety and Security consists of two divisions, the Division of Nuclear Installation Safety (NSNI) and the Division of Radiation, Transport and Waste Safety (NSRW). The objective of the programme implemented by the Division of Nuclear Installation Safety is to achieve and maintain a high level of safety of nuclear installations under design, construction or operation worldwide by: establishing and promulgating standards of safety for the protection of health, including standards for nuclear power plants and other nuclear installations (such as research reactors and fuel cycle facilities); and providing for the application of these standards through, inter alia, the provision of safety reviews and advisory services, the promotion of capacity building through education and training, the fostering of information and operating experience exchanges, the coordination of research and development, and support for the IAEA's technical cooperation programme. In addition, the Division helps ensure safety at nuclear installations by promulgating international safety instruments such as the Convention on Nuclear Safety (CNS) and the Code of Conduct on the Safety of Research Reactors. The CNS provides for review meetings as an effective mechanism for exchange of information among peers, which is essential in improving safety.

The Regulatory Activities Section (RAS) aims to promote governmental and regulatory frameworks for safety that include an effectively independent, technically competent and efficient regulatory body, which is considered essential for nuclear, radiation, radioactive waste and transport safety. The IAEA Member States strive to achieve and maintain stable and effective regulatory regimes in order to guarantee a high level of safety of all nuclear facilities and activities under their national responsibility. To enhance the capacity of regulatory bodies in Member States, the Section is promoting self-assessments based on the applicable IAEA safety standards, collecting their experience and sharing their best practices in the field of regulatory framework and nuclear safety infrastructure.

The operating environment is dynamic, participative and interactive with inputs received from the Board of Governors, the General Conference, policy and decision-makers, and technical counterparts in Member States and the international development community.

Main purpose

Reporting to the Section Head, the Senior Safety Officer manages projects, develops, organizes and implements IAEA activities aimed at strengthening the regulatory infrastructures for nuclear facilities and installations. At the request of Member States, he/she leads activities to enhance the safety of nuclear installations by promoting the development and use of Safety Standards and assisting in their application; providing specialized technical assistance.

Role

The Senior Safety Officer is a: (1) A Project Manager, planning, developing and implementing activities aimed at helping Member States to enhance nuclear safety in their installations and facilities; (2) A Scientific Secretary, coordinating, and leading complex Technical Meetings; (3) A Mission Leader, leading complex technical safety reviews and follow-up missions; (4) A Program Officer, evaluating complex Technical Cooperation (TC) projects and promoting, coordinating, and evaluating complex Research Projects (CRPs) in the area of nuclear installations and facilities safety.

Partnerships

The Senior Safety Officer engages with Member States' representatives to identify and respond to their needs and works closely with appropriate technical departments within the IAEA, Member States' institutions and other relevant international organizations to ensure the effective implementation of nuclear installation safety activities.

The Senior Safety Officer exchanges expert knowledge with Member State regulatory and operating organizations regarding the objectives and findings of review and advisory services, and coordinates and cooperates with international organizations (i.e. OECD/NEA and EC). He/she establishes and maintains contacts with individual scientists at relevant organizations, committees, and scientific societies.

Functions / Key Results Expected

  • Plan, develop and implement relevant aspects of the IAEA's programme, conducting and managing projects; and drafting and finalizing publication of relevant technical reports.
  • Organize and lead Technical Meetings and Coordinated Research Projects to develop guidelines, standards, requirements, guides and manuals, which include proposing subject, preparing scope, selecting participants, coordinating input, and drafting the final report.
  • Plan and lead safety review missions, preparatory meetings and follow-up visits. Identify Member State needs and make plans for the conduct of missions, studies relevant documents, prepares mission reports for eventual transmittal to Member States.
  • Review, evaluate and provide recommendations on Technical Cooperation projects and project documents.
  • Provide leadership in the development of training programmes and courses. Conduct training for complicated or sensitive topics.
  • Represent the IAEA at national and international meetings.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

  • Knowledge of relevant international safety standards.
  • In-depth knowledge and experience of nuclear safety principles, procedures, and guidelines, judging their appropriateness and determining the necessity for adapting them, if required.
  • Thorough knowledge of common approaches to regulatory aspects of nuclear safety as well as international undertakings in the area.
  • Ability to assess international nuclear safety issues in their complexity, including their international political and economic context.
  • Awareness of current issues in the field of regulatory infrastructures.
  • Strong ability to deliver presentations/briefings to a diverse target audience and ability to write and edit analytical and policy documents.
  • Strong interpersonal, communication and team building skills.

Education, Experience and Language Skills

  • Advanced Degree in engineering or physical/nuclear sciences or equivalent experience, with additional in-depth knowledge of such complementary fields such as: nuclear safety regulation and organizations, the licensing process, review and assessment, inspection and enforcement, regulations and guides, and regulatory technical and policy issues, which are essential for multi-disciplinary activities specific to the post.
  • Minimum of 10 years of experience in nuclear related applications, of which five should be in a senior position and four at the international level.
  • Good command of written and spoken English. Knowledge of another official IAEA language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish) an advantage.

Remuneration

The IAEA offers an attractive remuneration package including a tax-free annual net base salary starting at US $80 629 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance), a variable post adjustment which currently amounts to US $53 054*, dependency benefits, diplomatic status, rental subsidy, education grant, relocation and repatriation expenses; 6 weeks' annual vacation, home leave, pension plan and health insurance.

How to apply to the IAEA

Complete an Online Application

* Subject to change without notice


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. 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 to make an appointment with a modified job description or for shorter duration than indicated above. Testing may be part of the recruitment process.