IAEA Safety Officer (P-4)

Position and Grade:	Safety Officer (P-4) (multiple posts)
Organizational Unit:	International Seismic Safety Centre Division of Nuclear Installation Safety Department of Nuclear Safety and Security
Duty Station:	Vienna, Austria
Issue Date:	7 December 2012
Application Deadline:	6 January 2013
Type/Duration of Appointment:	Fixed term extrabudgetary, 2 years (subject to a probationary period of 1 year)

Organizational Setting

The Division of Nuclear Installation Safety (NSNI) is one of the organizational units of the Department of Nuclear Safety and Security (NS). 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 (TCP). In addition, the Division helps ensure safety at nuclear installations by promoting safety from the site selection to decommission by the inclusion of the insights of the different safety review services in the international safety instruments such as the Convention on Nuclear Safety (CNS) and the Code of Conduct on the Safety of Research Reactors. The International Seismic Safety Centre (ISSC) aims to strengthen Member States' capabilities in effective safety enhancement of nuclear installations through proper selection of sites, assessment of site specific hazards and the utilization of site parameters in the design of the installation. The ISSC develops and implements safety standards and guides for design and safety assessment, methods and tools for deterministic and supports probabilistic safety analysis and safety performance evaluation, and the development of integrated risk informed and performance based safety approaches for all external hazards considered in the design of a nuclear facility. Specific topical areas and their applications include: structural mechanics, geosciences and design safety and plant assessment under design basis accidents and beyond design basis accidents initiated by external events to establish safety margins for individual plants or sites with multiple units under the impact of multiple hazards. The ISSC addresses any of the above topics as a part of the requirements for embarking countries, periodic safety review of existing facilities or special needs such as the “stress test” as a result of severe events like the Fukushima accident. The Section coordinates and supports Member States in establishing and implementing engineering safety of installations and safety assessment and capacity building activities for embarking countries in the area of site and installation design safety, construction and operational areas. The operating environment is dynamic, participative and interactive with inputs received from the IAEA Board of Governors, the General Conference, policy- and decision-makers, and technical counterparts in Member States and the international development community.

Main purpose

As a member of the Project Management team led by the Section Head, the Safety Officer manages projects, develops, organizes and implements IAEA activities on the safety of nuclear installations. He/She provides technical expertise and leads activities requested by Member States to enhance the safety of nuclear installations and promotes the development and use of IAEA safety standards, provides technical assistance at the request of Member States, and supports the application of the IAEA's safety standards.

Role

The Safety Officer is: (a) a programme planner and implementer, planning, developing and implementing activities aimed at helping Member States to enhance nuclear safety in their installations and facilities; (b) a scientific secretary, planning and leading complex Technical Meetings and consultancies; (c) a mission leader, planning and leading safety review and follow-up missions; and (d) asubstantive expert contributor and project officer, evaluating, developing and implementing complex technical cooperation and extrabudgetary projects and promoting, coordinating and evaluating coordinated research projects (CRPs) in the area of the safety of nuclear installations and facilities against all external hazards considered in the design of a nuclear facility.

Partnerships

The Safety Officer engages Member States' representatives to identify their needs and respond to the interests of Member States. In addition, he/she exchanges expert knowledge with regulatory and operating organizations of Member States on objectives and findings of review and advisory services, and coordinates and cooperates with international organizations (i.e. OECE/NEA and the EC) in developing and publishing selected joint reports and technical documents. Furthermore, the Safety Officer works closely with technical departments within the IAEA, Member States' institutions and other relevant international organizations to ensure the effective implementation of nuclear installation safety activities. He/She establishes and maintains contacts with individual scientists at various research centres and at other relevant international organizations, committees and scientific societies.

Functions / Key Results Expected

Taking into account the latest issues and trends in the field, plans, develops and implements relevant aspects of the IAEA's programme and conducts and manages Projects to: Develop of safety standards on external hazard assessment, installation design and safety assessment of the site and installation against all external hazards. Provide support to Member States with the application of standards in above areas, specifically by means of missions, advisory services and working on IAGE on safety harmonization and regulatory requirements. Contribute to the safety of nuclear power plants and installations by planning and leading safety review missions, preparatory meetings and follow-up visits. Identifies needs and makes plans for the conduct of missions, studies relevant documents, provides technical input and coordinates the preparation of mission reports. Collect and disseminates experience, findings and lessons learned through: Organizing and leading Technical Meetings and to develop guidelines, standards, requirements, guides and manuals, which include proposing a subject, preparing the scope, selecting participants, coordinating input and drafting the final report; Providing support and technical input to technical co-operation and extrabudgetary projects in the subject area through capacity building and workshops; Providing expertise for the development of training programmes and courses. Conducts training for complicated or sensitive topics; Representing the IAEA at national and international meetings; and Providing support and relevant expertise for the Incident and Emergency System (IES) and participating in associated training and exercises.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Ability to assess international nuclear safety issues in their complexity, including their international political and economic context. Strong interpersonal, communication and team building skills. In-depth knowledge and experience of nuclear safety principles and state-of the art nuclear safety techniques. Extensive knowledge of common approaches to regulatory aspects of nuclear safety as well as international undertakings in the area. Excellent drafting and presentation skills in English. Good knowledge of IAEA safety standards.

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 as project management training and other skills which are essential for multi-disciplinary activities specific to the position. Minimum of seven years of experience in nuclear related applications, of which five should have involved dealing closely with civil engineering in safety assessment and at least one year of relevant experience in an international environment. Excellent oral and written command of English. Knowledge of other official IAEA languages (i.e. Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) desirable.

Remuneration

The IAEA offers an attractive remuneration package including a tax-free annual net base salary starting at US $67 483 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance), a variable post adjustment which currently amounts to US $38 195*, dependency benefits, 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.