Section Head, Non Destructive Assay Section (P-5)

Organizational Unit:	Non Destructive Assay Section Division of Technical and Scientific Services Department of Safeguards
Duty Station:	Vienna, Austria
Issue Date:	6 March 2012
Application Deadline:	17 April 2012
Type/Duration of Appointment:	Fixed term, 3 years (subject to a probationary period of 1 year)

Organizational Setting

The Department of Safeguards is the organizational hub for the implementation of IAEA safeguards. The IAEA implements nuclear verification activities for more than 170 States in accordance with their safeguards agreements. The safeguards activities are undertaken within a dynamic and technically challenging environment including advanced nuclear fuel cycle facilities and complemented by the political diversity of the countries. The Department of Safeguards consists of six Divisions: three Operations Divisions: A, B and C, for the implementation of verification activities around the world; and three Technical Divisions, (i) Division of Concepts and Planning, (ii) Division of Information Management, and (iii) Division of Technical and Scientific Services, as well as two Offices: the Office of Safeguards Analytical Services and the Office of Information and Communication Systems. The Division of Technical and Scientific Services (SGTS) is comprised of four sections and is responsible for the development and implementation of the Department's equipment systems. The Section for Non-Destructive Assay (NDA) is responsible for the development, testing, commissioning and provision of equipment for non-destructive assay of nuclear materials; the development, implementation and maintenance of respective methodologies to be applied by SG inspectors; the provision of relevant training and/or expertize through direct participation in field measurements; and providing relative methodological support to the section of unattended systems and other users. The Section is comprised of three Teams (technical units) specialized in Portable and Resident NDA equipment, Nuclear Security, and Novel Technologies.

Main purpose

Reporting to the Director, the Section Head plans, guides, coordinates and supervises, in line with the strategic directions of the Division, the work necessary to provide quality equipment and services in the areas of Non-Destructive Assay instrumentation and methodologies, evaluation of novel technologies and technical support to Agency activities in nuclear security projects. The Section Head ensures cradle to grave responsibility for all Portable and Resident NDA Measurement Systems. She/he manages a team of scientists, engineers, and technicians in support of the systems in the most efficient manner to meet Divisional and Departmental Strategic Objectives.

Role

The Section Head is: a team leader and manager ensuring that the appropriate human, financial, equipment and time resources are made available for programme implementation; a planner, motivator and implementer of the Section's programme of activities.

Partnerships

The Section Head is involved, together with the Division Director and senior management of the Department of Safeguards, in collaborative planning and management. She/he develops working partnerships and collaboration across the Department and throughout the IAEA, as well as with Member States. In particular, she/he works closely with counterparts and experts throughout the IAEA to define and implement Non-Destructive Assay systems with a view to sustainability and security taking a synergetic cooperation approach. Additionally, the Section Head liaises with developers, contractors, system suppliers and technical staff in the course of development, acceptance and field implementation of safeguards equipment.

Functions / Key Results Expected

Lead the Section in a manner that promotes motivation and collaboration (internal and external), maintains a balanced workload distribution and ensures unbiased staff assessment. Supervise project managers for relevant IAEA research and development projects, including the development and implementation of portable and resident attended systems. Manage the IAEA HQ Safeguards Equipment Support Facility (SESF) with priority on field representative systems in the lab, the efficient use of available resources. Assure maintaining relevant documentation, including operation, maintenance and training manuals. Manage portable and resident instrumentation budget resources to assure adequate instrumentation stock, supplies, and contractor support utilizing all procurement options available to economically meet needs in a timely fashion. Manage the standardization programme to realize the use of a minimum set of reliable, easy to maintain, long life building block-type components to assure the maximum flexibility in meeting operational needs. Establish a strategy to develop, maintain, and improve reliability and lifetime of the respective equipment pool. Review relevant aspects of the performance monitoring programme, take actions as necessary to address deficiencies. Assure the section can provide technical guidance to inspectors in the field on equipment operation and assist in the resolution of any operational problems encountered.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Management/leadership skills: Demonstrated ability to apply best practices in human and financial resource management; Ability to communicate a common and inspiring vision, to provide others with clear direction, to adopt a strategic approach and to act as a catalyst for change. Results-orientation: Ability to think strategically, to set direction and apply a results-based approach and quality management. Technical expertise: In-depth knowledge of physics and data processing principles in NDA technologies and wide awareness of the other types of safeguards instrumentation; Experience in security measures, as well as data service issues and support processes. Strong customer orientation to ensure adequate services to the inspectorate taking into account safeguards specific requirements such as the joint use of equipment with other parties. Sense of confidentiality: Ability to handle confidential information. Excellent analytical skills: Ability to conceptualize, design and implement secure operations, achieved through adequate technical solutions and internal processes. Strong communication skills: Ability to produce and deliver high quality briefings and conferences in English to in-house and Member State audiences, explaining equipment development and implementation, including security operations, projects, standards and architectures; Ability to write analytical and policy documents. Learning attitude: Interest in keeping abreast of developments in the relevant equipment technologies, safeguards approaches and policies. Strong interpersonal skills to promote collaboration with internal and external counterparts in a multicultural environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

Education, Experience and Language Skills

Advanced university degree in nuclear physics, applied science or engineering. At least 10 years of practical experience with nuclear measurements equipment (preferably with safeguards and similar specialization) and data processing techniques with increasing responsibilities. Experience in an international environment an asset. Experience in both the nuclear field and safeguards highly desirable. Experience in strategic planning, operational planning, budgeting, allocation of resources, procurement, property management, quality control and assurance, project management and safety. Fluency in written and spoken English. Knowledge of at least one other official IAEA language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) highly desirable. Knowledge of German an asset for liaison with local vendors and technicians.

Remuneration

The IAEA offers an attractive remuneration package including a tax-free annual net base salary starting at US $80 734 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance), a variable post adjustment which currently amounts to US $46 584*, 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 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.