Vacancy Notice No. 2008/609
Position and Grade: Radiation Protection Specialist (P-4)
Organizational Unit: Radiation Safety and Monitoring Section
Division of Radiation, Transport and Waste Safety
Department of Nuclear Safety and Security
Duty Station: Vienna, Austria
Issue Date: 18 August 2008 (re-opened on 4 March 2009)
Application Deadline: 18 March 2009
Type/Duration of Appointment: Fixed term Temporary Assistance, 2 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 medical patients. It also assists Member States in the implementation of these standards and provides related services.

The Radiation Safety and Monitoring Section is responsible for the delineation of a global radiation safety regime to protect workers, patients and the public from all types of exposure to natural or artificial radiation, according to the most recent scientific knowledge and information. The Section is also responsible for the provision of radiation monitoring and protection services for staff members and experts who may be exposed to ionizing radiation due to activities conducted by the IAEA.

The Radiation Protection of Workers and Monitoring Unit is responsible for the development of standards and other guidance on all aspects of occupational radiation protection, in consultation with the International Labour Organization (ILO). Within this field, increased attention has been given in the last five years to occupational protection against natural radiation exposure. The Unit also provides for the application of these standards in Member States through the joint IAEA/NEA (Nuclear Energy Agency) Information System on Occupational Exposure (ISOE), fostering information exchange within the international community, promoting education and training, and supporting technical cooperation activities in the field of occupational radiation protection. Many of these activities are carried out as part of the International Action Plan on Occupational Radiation Protection, jointly formulated by the IAEA and ILO in 2002. Finally, the Unit is responsible for providing the necessary services to monitor the occupational radiation exposure in the IAEA's own operations.

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

Main purpose
The Radiation Protection Specialist reports to the Unit Head and is responsible for implementing activities related to occupational radiation protection, mainly due to exposure to naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM).

Role
The Radiation Protection Specialist plays two key roles: (1) substantive expert, developing international recommendations and guidance related to the reduction of public exposure to radiation; (2) adviser, providing authoritative and objective information to Member States and working with them to identify means of reducing exposure to the public from NORM and emergency exposure situations.

Partnerships
The Radiation Protection Specialist engages counterparts in Member States and in other international organizations concerned with occupational radiation protection, mainly due to exposure to NORM, to establish international safety standards and to promote their application in Member States. In developing this approach, the Radiation Protection Specialist works closely with the Unit Head, other staff in the Division and Department, and with relevant areas outside the Department in achieving the desired objectives and goals.

Functions / Key Results Expected
  • Lead the development of international guidance material on occupational radiation protection, mainly from exposure to NORM, to form the basis of international activities in this area.
  • Lead and coordinates the technical support for the application of safety standards through national and regional technical cooperation projects.
  • Communicate the results of Member State and IAEA activities to a wider audience beyond higher-level management, including other Member States, through the preparation of papers, articles and documents for publication.
  • Build and maintain strategic partnerships and alliances with a wide range of stakeholders in Member States and other international organizations to promote the application of international safety standards.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
  • Thorough knowledge of radiation protection principles and the science on which they are based.
  • Knowledge of relevant international safety standards.
  • Demonstrated project management skills.
  • Demonstrated ability to prepare documents of a high scientific and technical quality and accuracy.
  • Demonstrated presentation skills and ability to lecture effectively at training courses.
  • 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;
    • Ability to facilitate working in a team environment with scientific, technical and administrative staff and 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 university degree (or equivalent) in the field of physical or chemical sciences or radiation protection.
  • At least 7 years' experience in radiation safety, including at least 4 years' experience in occupational radiation protection.
  • Experience in the management of issues related to NORM.
  • Experience in the development of practical guidance on occupational radiation protection.
  • Experience in the application of international safety standards in developing countries desirable.
  • Fluency in spoken and written English. Knowledge of French, Russian or Spanish would be an asset.

NOTE: This is not an established Agency post. It is fixed term temporary assistance post, subject to the availability of funds.

Remuneration
The Agency offers an attractive remuneration package including a tax-free annual net base salary starting at US $64 521 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance), a variable post adjustment which currently amounts to US $29 099*, 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

* 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.