Vacancy Notice No. 2008/907
Position and Grade: Equipment Preparation Engineer (P-3)
Organizational Unit: Inspection Logistics Section
Division of Technical Support
Department of Safeguards
Duty Station: Vienna, Austria
Issue Date: 24 July 2008
Application Deadline: 8 September 2008
Type/Duration of Appointment: Fixed term Temporary Assistance, 2 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.

Within the Department of Safeguards, the Division of Technical Support is responsible for the development and implementation of the Department of Safeguard's equipment systems.

The Inspection Logistics Section is responsible for providing monitoring equipment and supplies that allow inspectors to make independent verifications. It prepares equipment for inspection, including performance checks, calibrations, and packing for pick-up or shipment through its Equipment Preparation and Quality Control Unit.

Main purpose
The objective of the post is to ensure equipment preparation in a quality and timely manner pursuant to equipment requests from inspectors or other staff.

Role
Under the supervision of the Head of the Equipment Preparation and Quality Control Unit, the incumbent will be responsible for and participate in activities related to specification, evaluation, test, purchase, implementation, training and maintenance of the radiation monitoring equipment used by safeguards inspectors for verification of nuclear and other radioactive materials.

The incumbent will be an engineer responsible for testing equipment in line with quality assurance oriented guidelines, proposing improvements, managing equipment needs, controlling the return of equipment and controlling preventive maintenance for equipment under the Section's responsibility. Equipment is mainly related to gamma spectrometry.

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.

Partnerships
The incumbent will work in close cooperation with non-destructive assay (NDA) experts and with inspectors.

The incumbent will be given guidance regarding hardware and software, and the expected results as a whole. The procedures are developed in consultation with senior technical staff and Unit Heads in the Division of Technical Support. The Head of the Unit will perform a periodic review of the work results.

Functions / Key Results Expected
To ensure good equipment performance by carrying out the following activities:
  • Test, document and improve various kinds of NDA equipment used for safeguards inspections. The specific field of interest involves gamma spectrometry, neutron counting, Cerenkov measurement techniques, etc.
  • Plan and conduct the appropriate equipment testing parameters to evaluate the performance of the equipment package, according to QA/QC rules.
  • Propose methods leading to the improved performance of equipment.
  • Manage equipment utilization needs.
  • Ensure equipment procurement.
  • Control the return of equipment from the field.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
  • Familiarity with nuclear facilities and knowledge of components of the nuclear fuel cycle.
  • Good analytical skills: Ability to analyse complex situations, grasp the critical aspects and make firm decisions based on sound judgement.
  • Good planning and organizing skills to ensure that equipment related activities are carried out in a timely manner.
  • Good communication skills: Demonstrated ability to write technical and management reports and equipment documents in English.
  • Interpersonal skills:
    • Ability to establish and maintain productive partnerships with inspectors by gaining their trust and respect;
    • Ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
  • Initiative and commitment to quality: Ability to make proposals for improvement in the area of work.

Education, Experience and Language Skills
  • University (or equivalent) degree in nuclear physics or engineering and/or applied mathematics, supplemented by theoretical and practical training and experience in the field of radiation monitoring.
  • A minimum of five years of relevant work experience in radiation monitoring, including training and technical equipment support.
  • Theoretical knowledge of and hands-on experience with instrumentation (neutrons, gamma rays, Cerenkov radiation).
  • Experience in interfacing hard and software for measurement systems, preferably NDA systems for nuclear and other radioactive materials.
  • Fluency in spoken and written English. Some capability in French, German, Russian or Spanish would be useful.

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 $52 408 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance), a variable post adjustment which currently amounts to US $41 298*, 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.