Vacancy Notice No. 2008/903
Position and Grade: Nuclear Safeguards Inspector (P-3)
Organizational Unit: Division of Operations
Department of Safeguards
Duty Station: Vienna, Austria or Regional Office (Tokyo/Toronto)
Issue Date: 13 June 2008
Application Deadline: 28 July 2008
Type/Duration of Appointment: Fixed term, 3 years (subject to a probationary period of 1 year)

Organizational Setting
The Department of Safeguards is the organizational hub for the IAEA's safeguards work. The IAEA inspects nuclear and related facilities under safeguards agreements with more than 140 States. There are three Operations Divisions, A, B and C, for the implementation of verification activities. While each Division covers different countries, all three have equal status, functions and responsibilities for applying safeguards. Safeguards inspectors are assigned to these Divisions to carry out assigned verification activities in support of the IAEA's safeguards system. There are two regional offices, located in Tokyo and Toronto. Inspectors may be stationed at headquarters or either of the regional offices, as required.

Safeguards inspection activities are divided into activities in the field and at headquarters. The time at headquarters is used to complete, prepare for and follow up on activities in the field, to assist in the quality control of inspection reports and statements and the evaluation of additional protocol declarations, and to perform a variety of additional functions including the preparation of procedures, review of design information questionnaires, drafting of Subsidiary Arrangements, contribution to State evaluation reports and provision of operational support.

Main purpose
The incumbent will be assigned to one of the Divisions of Operations and, under the supervision of a Section Head and a Senior Inspector, participates in the implementation of the IAEA's safeguards system and, subject to the approval of the Board of Governors and acceptance of the designation by relevant countries, function as a safeguards inspector.

Role
To prepare for and take part extensively in IAEA safeguards inspections, report on the results of these inspections, analyse large amounts of data collected from various sources (facilities, facility records and design information, State reports) and thereby provide the IAEA with the basis for assuring the international community that the inspected States are complying with safeguards agreements and further deter non-compliance.

The incumbent also plays a key role as a facility officer in ensuring that all IAEA equipment issued to or used at the facility under his/her responsibility is properly used and cared for, and that proper custody and safekeeping are provided.

Partnerships
The incumbent engages with counterparts within the Division and the Department discussing specific issues related to inspection activities and procedures, quality management processes and controls, safeguards equipment, and evaluation and reporting of safeguards activities. The P-3 Nuclear Safeguards Inspector also represents the IAEA in discussing, in a persuasive and tactful way, with authorities from Member State SSACs and RSACs (State and regional systems of accounting for and control of nuclear material) specific issues and situations related to the most effective and efficient scheduling of verification activities, and the deployment and use of safeguards equipment in the field.

Functions / Key Results Expected
  • Prepare and carry out IAEA safeguards inspections at various nuclear facilities and collect information to support future inspections.
  • Prepare and carry out design information verification at declared facilities to confirm the completeness and adequacy of the design information provided by the State.
  • Carry out measurements, calibrate instruments, collect nuclear material and environmental samples and perform routine servicing of containment and surveillance equipment in the field.
  • Make extensive use of computers for instrument setup, operation and analysis.
  • Review and evaluate seals, sensor and surveillance data at headquarters.
  • Analyse, evaluate and report on the results of inspections.
  • Analyse, review and evaluate data collected from various sources including facility redesign information and reports submitted by States, inspection results, computerized databases and open sources.
  • Establish and maintain technical information with regard to safeguards facilities and act as facility/site officer.
  • Upon assignment as a country officer, prepare/coordinate State evaluations on the basis of analysis of all the available information.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
  • Knowledge of nuclear fuel cycle facilities and reactors; an additional advantage would be knowledge of enrichment and/or reprocessing technology, and/or other new technologies such as satellite imagery analysis, environmental sampling and equipment for detection of undeclared materials and activities.
  • Sound knowledge and practical work experience in the use of personal computers; ability to set up and operate computers and diagnose software and hardware faults is desirable.
  • Ability to assimilate and analyse situations and new concepts.
  • Ability to exercise leadership and judgement.
  • Ability to work both independently and as a member of a team.
  • Ability to exercise interpersonal skills to work in a team of inspectors of different nationalities.
  • Skills in negotiation and handling unexpected situations.
  • Ability to take the initiative and make appropriate decisions.
  • Intellectual alertness and creativity.
  • Ability to observe and report concisely and accurately (both verbally and in writing).
Working conditions require excellent physical abilities as cumbersome equipment may need to be carried, set up and serviced. Excellent health is required as local field conditions may not be ideal.

The inspector may perform his/her work in areas involving exposure to radioactive materials. Therefore, as a radiation worker, he/she is subject to an appropriate monitoring programme, in accordance with the IAEA's Radiation Protection Rules and Procedures.

The work involves extensive travel and time away from the duty station (more than 100 days a year), including travel and work on weekends and IAEA holidays. It is recommended that a candidate has a valid driving licence.

Upon recruitment, candidates will be expected to attend a three-month introductory course on IAEA safeguards and must successfully complete theoretical and practical examinations.

Education, Experience and Language Skills
  • University degree in physics, chemistry or engineering, with specialization during studies in the following fields:
    • nuclear engineering/nuclear technology;
    • applied nuclear physics/applied physics;
    • electrical/electronics/mechanical engineering;
    • chemical/metallurgical or industrial process engineering;
    • radiochemistry.
  • At least five years of relevant 'hands-on' experience in the nuclear field, preferably in the operation of nuclear fuel cycle facilities.
  • Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Working knowledge of another official IAEA language (i.e. Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) desirable.
  • Demonstrated experience in writing analytical reports in English.

Remuneration
The IAEA offers an attractive remuneration package including a tax-free annual net base salary starting at US $52 408 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance), a variable post adjustment which currently amounts to US $40 354*, 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.