Vacancy Notice No. 2008/021
Position and Grade: Unit Head (P-5)
Organizational Unit: Waste and Environmental Safety Section
Division of Radiation, Transport and Waste Safety
Department of Nuclear Safety and Security
Duty Station: Vienna, Austria
Issue Date: 21 April 2008
Application Deadline: 3 June 2008
Type/Duration of Appointment: Fixed term, 3 years (subject to a probationary period of 1 year)

Organizational Setting
The Division of Radiation, Transport and Waste Safety develops and maintains standards for radiation protection, radioactive waste safety and safety in the transport of radioactive material that enable the beneficial uses of radiation to be exploited while ensuring appropriate protection of workers, the public and patients. It also assists Member States in the implementation of these standards and provides related services.

The Waste and Environmental Safety Section is responsible for the delineation of a global waste safety regime to protect the public and the environment from the effects of ionizing radiation, based on the Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management, the development of safety standards for the management of all types of radioactive waste and the provisions for the application of the waste safety standards.

The Assessment and Management of Releases Unit of the Waste and Environmental Safety Section is concerned with protection of the public and the environment from releases of radioactive material from present and past practices. The Unit's main function is to establish safety standards for the control of radioactive releases to the environment (atmospheric, terrestrial and aquatic) and to provide for the application of these standards in Member States. The Unit is also engaged in providing advice and guidance on procedures and methods for environmental assessment, modelling and monitoring, including through the organization of safety assessment intercomparison projects. It maintains databases of worldwide discharges of radionuclides to the environment and an inventory of past waste disposals at sea. It is also the focal point in the IAEA's interactions with international conventions and treaties concerned with radioactive waste and the environment.

The environment of the Division of Radiation, Transport and Waste Safety is dynamic, participative and interactive, with continuous inputs received from internal and external technical counterparts in Member States, from other international organizations, and from the international scientific community.

Main purpose
As a team leader reporting to the Section Head, the Unit Head develops the IAEA's policy and programme on the assessment and management of radioactive releases to the environment and leads the Unit's activities to ensure the efficacy of the IAEA's programme on a global level.

Role
The Unit Head has several roles: (a) policy developer and coordinator in a multilateral environment with diverse views on the issues, finding workable solutions and presenting arguments that can achieve results; (b) manager and team leader, ensuring that programmes and tasks are implemented effectively; (c) facilitator of inter-organizational cooperation in environmental radiation protection; and (d) adviser to the Section Head and Division Director on specialist issues.

Partnerships
The Unit Head engages senior counterparts in Member States and in other international and specialist organizations concerned with environmental radiation protection in order to ensure the completeness, coherence and consistency of international guidance. In developing this approach and managing the Unit, he/she works closely with the Section Head, fellow Unit Heads, and staff in the Unit and other areas of the Department in achieving the desired goals. He/she advises on project evaluation, programme planning and implementation.

Functions / Key Results Expected
  • Lead the development of the IAEA's safety standards and guidance material on releases of radioactive waste to the environment, based on the most recent knowledge and experience in this area, in order to promote an improved level of radiation protection for the public and the environment.
  • Promote exchange of information among specialists on an international level regarding the latest developments in the area, e.g. through the organization of safety assessment intercomparison projects on technical topics related to releases of radioactive waste to the environment, and maintenance not only of databases of worldwide discharges of radionuclides to the environment but also of an inventory of past waste disposals at sea.
  • Lead the IAEA's interactions in connection with international conventions and treaties concerned with radioactive waste and the environment, such as the 1972 London Convention (Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter) and UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea).
  • Organize interregional and regional training courses and provide technical support to technical cooperation projects on the subject area, with the aim of establishing a wide outreach and practical implementation of the IAEA's programme in Member States.
  • Plan and coordinate the work of the Unit to ensure delivery of the programme objectives, and supervise the staff.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
  • Knowledge of relevant international safety standards.
  • Demonstrated ability to manage human, financial and material resources to achieve stated objectives and to plan and manage work programmes.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead and motivate a team of professional and support staff and provide effective guidance to them.
  • Communication skills:
    • Strong presentation skills;
    • Ability to write and edit scientific and technical reports.
  • Interpersonal skills:
    • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with IAEA staff at all levels, with representatives of Member States and with counterparts in international organizations;
    • Proven ability to build and maintain collaborative partnerships across organizational boundaries;
    • Demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

Education, Experience and Language Skills
  • Advanced degree, or equivalent, in chemical, environmental or other sciences appropriate to the duties of the post.
  • At least 10 years' experience in the field of radiation protection, in particular in the area of public and environmental radiation protection, of which at least 7 years should have been concerned with some aspects of the control or assessment of radioactive releases to the environment. At least 5 years' managerial experience.
  • Experience in the development of international guidance on the subject and in the implementation of relevant international conventions.
  • Fluency in spoken and written English essential. Working knowledge of French, Russian or Spanish would be an asset.

Remuneration
The IAEA offers an attractive remuneration package including a tax-free annual net base salary starting at US $75 432 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance), a variable post adjustment which currently amounts to US $58 309*, 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

* 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.