Senior Safety Officer (P-5)

Organizational Unit:	Research Reactor Safety Section Division of Nuclear Installation Safety Department of Nuclear Safety and Security
Duty Station:	Vienna, Austria
Issue Date:	11 February 2013
Application Deadline:	24 March 2013
Type/Duration of Appointment:	Fixed term, 3 years (subject to a probationary period of 1 year)

Organizational Setting

The Division of Nuclear Installation Safety is an organizational unit of the Department of Nuclear Safety and Security. 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 worldwide under design, construction or operation by: establishing standards of safety for the protection of health, including standards for nuclear power plants and other nuclear installations; and providing for the application of these standards through, inter alia, support for the IAEA's technical cooperation programme, the rendering of services, the promotion of education and training, the fostering of information exchange and the coordination of research and development. The Research Reactor Safety Section implements Member States' decisions, as conveyed through the Board of Governors, to develop and implement an international research reactor and fuel cycle facility safety enhancement plan and regime. Activities in this area include monitoring research reactors subject to project and supply agreements and assisting Member States possessing such reactors in fulfilling all the relevant safety obligations. In addition, the Section's activities cover a wide range of topics related to research reactor and fuel cycle facility safety, including siting, design, construction, commissioning, utilization and decommissioning. 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. The Senior Safety Officer reports to the Section Head.

Main purpose

As a key member of the project management team led by the Section Head, the Senior Safety Officer manages projects and develops, organizes and implements the IAEA activities in fuel cycle facilities and installations. He/she assists Member States in enhancing the safety of such facilities; ensures the preparation of IAEA safety standards; conducts safety review missions to fuel cycle facilities; provides technical assistance at the request of Member States; and ensures the application of the IAEA's safety standards.

Role

The Senior Safety Officer is a: (1) a programme planner and implementer, planning, developing and implementing activities aimed at helping Member States to enhance nuclear safety in their installations and facilities; (2) a scientific secretary, planning and leading complex Technical Meetings; (3) a mission leader, planning and leading technical and complex safety review and follow-up missions; (4) a technical and project officer, evaluating complex technical cooperation projects and promoting, coordinating and evaluating complex coordinated research projects in the area of the safety of fuel cycle facilities.

Partnerships

The Senior Safety Officer engages in high level meetings with Member States' representatives to identify their needs and respond to the interests of Member States. In addition, she/he meets regularly with regulatory and operating organizations of Member States on objectives and findings of review and advisory services, and is involved in coordination and cooperation with international organizations (i.e. OECD/NEA (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development/Nuclear Energy Agency) and the European Commission in developing and publishing selected joint reports and documents. Furthermore, the Senior Safety Officer 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.

Functions / Key Results Expected

Taking into account the issues and trends in the field, plan, develop and implement relevant aspects of the IAEA's programme, conducting and managing projects, and drafting and finalizing the publication of relevant technical reports. Organize and lead Technical Meetings and coordinated research projects to develop guidelines, safety standards (requirements, guides) and manuals, which includes proposing the subject, preparing the scope, selecting the participants, coordinating input and drafting the final report. Contribute to the safety of fuel cycle facilities by planning and leading safety review missions, preparatory meetings and follow-up visits. Identify the needs and make plans for the conduct of missions; review relevant documents; and prepare mission reports for eventual transmittal to Member States. Provide support to the operation of the IAEA incident reporting system for fuel cycle facilities (FINAS). Provide support to technical cooperation projects by reviewing, evaluating and providing recommendations on 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. Provide support and relevant expertise for the Incident and Emergency System (IES) and participate 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. Good management and leadership capabilities. Strong interpersonal, communication and team-building skills. Ability to foster cooperation at all organizational levels. In-depth knowledge and experience of nuclear safety principles and state-of-the-art nuclear safety techniques. Good knowledge of IAEA safety standards. Thorough 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.

Education, Experience and Language Skills

Advanced degree in engineering or physical/nuclear sciences, or equivalent, and practical experience in one or more areas of fuel cycle facilities. Minimum of 10 years of experience in the field of fuel cycle facilities (process, safety), of which five should have been in a senior position. Minimum of five years of experience at international level. Excellent oral and written command of English. Knowledge of other official IAEA languages (i.e. Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) is desirable.

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 $50 782*, 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. 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. 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.