Vacancy Notice No. 2009/231
Position and Grade: NDA Technician (G-6) (2 posts)
Organizational Unit: Attended and Unattended Non-Destructive Assay Section
Division of Technical Support
Department of Safeguards
Duty Station: Vienna, Austria
Issue Date: 26 June 2009 (re-opened on 11 November 2009)
Application Deadline: 25 November 2009
Type of Appointment: Fixed term (subject to a probationary period of 6 months)
CCOG code: 2.B.13

Organizational Setting
The Department of Safeguards is the organizational hub for the implementation of IAEA safeguards. The IAEA implements nuclear verification activities for 163 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 Division of Technical Support comprises four sections and is responsible for the development and implementation of the Department's equipment systems.

The Portable and Resident Non-destructive Assay (NDA) Unit, located in the Attended and Unattended Non-Destructive Assay Section, is responsible for developing, maintaining and deploying a large diversity of NDA systems hand carried to the field by the IAEA inspectors or left resident at the facilities under IAEA safeguards for periodic attended use by the inspectors.

Assignment
Under the general supervision of the Unit Head, the NDA Technician will take responsibility for the preparation and maintenance of selected NDA instruments based on neutron coincidence counting and associated electronics or NDA systems used for spent fuel verification.

Specifically the NDA Technician will:
  • Maintain and calibrate the instruments;
  • Prepare instruments for inspector's use requested through the computerized Equipment and Supply Requisition System (ESRS);
  • Update the inventory records and instrumentation documentation associated with equipment under his/her responsibility;
  • Occasionally travel to the field to maintain the instruments left resident at facilities under IAEA Safeguards or assist the IAEA inspectors in calibration and measurements;
  • Procure equipment as needed to ensure continuity of service. Perform acceptance testing and set-up of the new equipment;
  • Take lead in the customization of existing instruments for special use as needed by safeguards inspectors;
  • Contribute to development projects related to the improvement of the instruments and data evaluation methods.

NOTE: The incumbent will be considered to be a radiation worker and be subject to an appropriate programme of physical and special medical surveillance arranged by the IAEA.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
  • Deep understanding of electronics involved in NDA systems.
  • Ability to work accurately and pay attention to details. Ability to keep accurately updated the documentation associated with the instruments including acceptance test, inventory, maintenance and calibration records in a quality controlled information system.
  • Excellent organizing skills: Ability to prioritize work assignments, organize own schedule, perform routine work independently, meet deadlines, and adapt to constantly changing demands and multitasking. Ability to manage an extremely heavy workload under pressure.
  • Demonstrated ability to work under a minimum of supervision and readiness to take on responsibilities.
  • Good interpersonal skills combined with an ability to work in and adapt to a multicultural environment with sensitivity to and respect for diversity.
  • Good communication skills including the ability to draft technical and travel reports in a concise and clear manner.
  • English language test to IAEA standard.
  • Excellent knowledge of both spoken and written English. Knowledge of another official IAEA language (i.e. Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) an advantage.

Education and Experience
  • Completed secondary educaton. Diploma from an engineering school or equivalent in electronics. Additional education in nuclear physics and/or radioprotection is desirable.
  • At least ten years of working experience in preparation, repair, maintenance, development or use of measurement instruments.
  • Experience in neutron counting and gamma spectrometry highly desirable.
  • Experience in computer code programming desirable.

Remuneration
The IAEA offers an attractive remuneration package including a tax-free annual net base salary starting at €43 545 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance), six weeks' annual vacation, pension plan and health insurance.

How to Apply
Internal and external applicants need to complete an IAEA Personal History Form. Internal applicants are required to apply online at https://personnel.iaea.org. External applicants are required to apply online at http://www.iaea.org/About/Jobs. No e-mail or hard-copy application will be accepted. All applicants will be informed of the outcome of their application in due course. Applications received after the application deadline will not be considered. Applicants who do not comply with the aforementioned application guidelines or do not meet the essential requirements specified in this Vacancy Notice will not be considered.

Appointment is subject to a satisfactory medical report. Recruitment will be on a LOCAL BASIS only. Outside applicants are required to supply to the IAEA or to authorize it to seek all information relevant to their suitability for employment by the IAEA. Testing may be part of the recruitment process.

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.