Vacancy Notice No. 2009/043
Position and Grade: Safeguards Analyst (P-4)
Organizational Unit: Process Design Section
Division of Concepts and Planning
Department of Safeguards
Duty Station: Vienna, Austria
Issue Date: 24 June 2009
Application Deadline: 7 August 2009
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 implementation of IAEA safeguards. The IAEA implements nuclear verification activities for more than 140 States in accordance with their safeguards agreements. The safeguards activities are undertaken within a dynamic and technically challenging environment including advanced nuclear fuel cycle facilities and complemented by the political diversity of the countries.

The main objective of the Department is to maintain and further develop an effective and efficient verification system in order to draw independent, impartial and timely safeguards conclusions, thus providing credible assurances to the international community that States are in compliance with their safeguards obligations. The Departmental operating environment is interactive, participative and dynamic with continuous inputs received from the Board of Governors, the General Conference, policy- and decision-makers, as well as counterparts in Member States and in the international development community.

The Department of Safeguards consists of six Divisions: three Operations Divisions, A, B and C, for the implementation of verification activities around the world; and three support Divisions: (i) Division of Concepts and Planning; (ii) Division of Information Management; and (iii) Division of Technical Support. The Division of Concepts and Planning is responsible for strategic planning, programme analysis and resource management for the Department and for the development, design and standardization of safeguards concepts, approaches, procedures and training.

The Section for Process Design is one of four sections in the Division of Concepts and Planning. Within the framework of the implementation of an ISO 9001:2000 compliant quality management system in the Department, the goal of which is to improve effectiveness and efficiency, the Section is responsible for designing processes to implement new concepts and approaches, implementing methods to measure process performance and producing guidelines for their implementation. The Section supports process improvement activities in the Department by leading and/or facilitating continual process improvement groups and delivering training in quality management tools and techniques to staff in the Department. The Section is also responsible for managing the quality management system document repository and the internal quality audit programme.

Main purpose
As a member of a team led by the Section Head, the Safeguards Analyst coordinates one or more of the key processes in the Department's quality management system, including advising on priorities and implementing improvements to the process, and supports the development and maintenance of the Department's quality management system through involvement in process design, analysis and improvement.

Role
The Safeguards Analyst plays several roles in the Section: (1) coordinator of one or more of the key processes in the Department's quality management system (internal quality audit, corrective action or process improvement, etc.), advising and training staff in its use; (2) analyst and evaluator of the performance of complex technical processes to determine necessary improvements; (3) facilitator of process improvement groups; and, (4) trainer in quality management principles, tools and techniques.

Partnerships
The Safeguards Analyst interacts with staff at all levels in the Department and leads teams of technical specialists and managers in carrying out process improvement, corrective action or internal quality audit. He/she provides training on quality management principles and practices, and specific tools and techniques to staff at all levels.

Functions / Key Results Expected
  • Coordinate one of the key processes in the Department's quality management system, e.g. internal quality audit, corrective action or process improvement; monitor the effectiveness of its implementation and propose improvements as necessary.
  • Facilitate process improvement teams in the Department.
  • Prepare and deliver training to staff of the Department on process improvement, corrective action and general quality management issues.
  • Propose improvements to the Department's quality management system.
  • Design processes, as necessary, to implement new or revised safeguards concepts.
  • Perform safeguards inspections, carry out complementary access and undertake other in-field verification activities.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
  • Professional expertise:
    • Good knowledge of the nuclear fuel cycle, preferably obtained in the design or operation of nuclear fuel cycle facilities;
    • Thorough knowledge of quality management principles and practices.
  • Sound analytical skills, including the ability to understand complex problems and draw appropriate conclusions.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective working relations in a multicultural environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
  • Communication skills: Demonstrated ability to write clear and concise reports and produce well-documented procedures and instructions.
  • Management skills: Ability to lead and motivate teams in an international environment.
  • Decision making: Ability to take the initiative and make appropriate decisions.

Education, Experience and Language Skills
  • University (or equivalent) degree in science, engineering or management.
  • Formal training and/or qualification in process improvement methodology an advantage.
  • At least seven years of working experience, either in the nuclear industry or research with knowledge of nuclear safeguards and/or nuclear material management, or in international safeguards.
  • Fluency in written and spoken English. Knowledge of another official IAEA language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) desirable.

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.

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 $41 939*, 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.