Vacancy Notice No. 2008/909
Position and Grade: Nuclear Safeguards Inspector
(Radioanalyst QA Manager) (P-4)
Organizational Unit: Tokyo Regional Office
Division of Operations A
Department of Safeguards
Duty Station: Tokyo, Japan
Issue Date: 16 July 2008
Application Deadline: 29 August 2008
Type/Duration of Appointment: Fixed term, 3 years (subject to a probationary period of 1 year)

Organizational Setting
The Division of Operations A is one of three Divisions of Operations in the Department of Safeguards; each one is responsible for implementing verification activities in different geographical locations of the world. The primary focus of each Division of Operations is to perform and document safeguards verification activities and to conduct analysis and evaluations aimed at providing assurances to the international community: (a) that nuclear materials and other items placed under safeguards are not diverted or misused; (b) of the absence of undeclared nuclear material and activities for States with comprehensive safeguards agreements in force; (c) of the peaceful use of nuclear material, equipment, facilities and non-nuclear material safeguarded; and, (d) that nuclear material placed under safeguards pursuant to voluntary offer agreements in States with such agreements is not used for proscribed purposes.

Main purpose
The Safeguards Inspector (Radioanalyst QA Manager) is a member of a team led by the Head of the Tokyo Regional Office (TRO) and participates in the analytical operations of the On-Site Laboratory (OSL), which is located on the site of the Rokkasho Reprocessing Plant (RRP) in Japan. He/she is responsible for the overall quality of Safeguards analytical activities at the OSL with the view of supporting the operational work of radioanalyst from the quality assurance point of view.

Role
The incumbent is a (1) Safeguards Inspector performing safeguards verification activities, and (2) a Quality Assurance Manager responsible for the overall quality of Safeguards analytical activities at the OSL.

All Safeguards Inspectors are subject to the approval of the Board of Governors and acceptance of the designation by relevant countries. 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.

Partnerships
The Safeguards Inspector works in close cooperation with other Safeguards Inspectors contributing to the IAEA's efforts aimed at the implementation of the IAEA's safeguards system at the RRP. Under the responsibility of the Head of the Tokyo Regional Office, he/she exchanges data and information with analysts at the IAEA's Safeguards Analytical Laboratory (SAL), which monitors the quality of and provides technical and analytical support to OSL activities. He/She also exchanges data and information with the Section for Process Design (Division of Concept and Planning) which is responsible of the Quality Management System of the Department of Safeguards.

Functions / Key Results Expected
  • Develop and maintain, in cooperation with the Section for Process Design (Division of Concept and Planning) and with the Safeguards Analytical Laboratory, the OSL Quality Assurance/Control System including all relevant documentation
  • Supervise the overall quality of Safeguards analytical activities at the OSL, including confirmation of analytical results, quality control (QC) of the analytical measurement system (calibration of analytical instrument, QC measurement, etc.), maintenance of Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), evaluation of implementation of security/confidential/authentication measures, resolution of anomalous results and equipment failure.
  • Oversee the quality of radiochemical work for DA verification of nuclear material samples, such as sample dissolution, chemical separation (i.e. uranium/plutonium separation or fission product separation) and isotope dilution mass spectrometry (IDMS).
  • Oversee the quality of several NDA techniques, such as neutron coincidence counting, alpha and gamma spectrometry, hybrid K-edge densitometry (HKED), spectrophotometry, thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS) and densitometry.
  • Analyse, evaluate and report analytical data, including data verification and validation, as well as assessment of systematic and random uncertainties associated with analytical results.
  • Implement adequate nuclear material accountancy and quality assurance procedures in the analysis of samples, identifying the source of any deviation from the required accuracy and/or precision and implement corrective actions.
  • Oversee, in cooperation with the Safeguards Analytical Laboratory, the development of new analytical techniques or methods
  • Oversee routine maintenance of the analytical equipment, participate in periodical calibrations, inter-laboratory comparisons and the preparation of quality control samples, performing routine quality control measurements.
  • Prepare and carry out IAEA safeguards inspections at various nuclear facilities/sites and collect information to confirm the operators' declarations.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
  • Technical expertise:
    • Knowledge of DA verification techniques, including radiochemical methods, and NDA techniques used for the determination of uranium and transuranium elements/isotopes, such as neutron coincidence counting, alpha and gamma spectrometry, HKED, spectrophotometry, TIMS and densitometry.
    • Knowledge of the statistical techniques required for and practical experience in analytical data verification, validation and comparison.
    • 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 the detection of undeclared materials and activities.
  • Interpersonal skills:
    • Proven ability to participate effectively in a multinational and multidisciplinary team by working collaboratively and sharing knowledge and having sensitivity and respect for diversity.
    • Ability to negotiate with external counterparts
  • Analytical skills:
    • Ability to assimilate and analyse situations as well as new concepts, grasp the critical aspects, and make decisions based on sound judgement
    • Ability to observe and report concisely and accurately (both verbally and in writing).
  • Ability to adapt and cope with unexpected situations and changes, using creativity and initiative.
  • Self-reliance and self-motivation.
The 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.

Upon recruitment, candidates will be expected to attend a 3-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:
    • analytical chemistry or radiochemistry;
    • nuclear engineering/nuclear technology;
    • applied nuclear physics/applied physics;
    • electrical/electronics/mechanical engineering;
    • chemical/metallurgical or industrial process engineering.
  • At least seven years of relevant experience in the analytical (radioanalytical) field, preferably in the operation of laboratories at nuclear fuel cycle facilities.
  • Sound knowledge and practical work experience of quality systems for analytical and radioanalytical laboratory.
  • Sound knowledge and practical work experience in handling uranium, plutonium and other actinides; ability to perform high quality work in an analytical or radioanalytical laboratory (preferable nuclear facility laboratory); practical work experience with highly radioactive samples using hot cell manipulators desirable.
  • Sound knowledge and practical work experience in the use of personal computers. The ability to set up and operate computers and to diagnose software and hardware faults is desirable.
  • Demonstrated experience in writing analytical reports.
  • Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Knowledge of other official IAEA languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish) desirable.

Remuneration
The Agency offers an attractive remuneration package including a tax-free annual net base salary starting at US $63 052 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance), a variable post adjustment which currently amounts to US $67 781*, 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.