Vacancy Notice No. 2009/048


Position and Grade:	Nuclear Engineer (P-4)
Organizational Unit:	Waste Technology Section Division of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology Department of Nuclear Energy
Duty Station:	Vienna, Austria
Issue Date:	2 July 2009
Application Deadline:	17 August 2009
Type/Duration of Appointment:	Fixed term, 3 years (subject to a probationary period of 1 year)

Organizational Setting

The Waste Technology Section assists interested Member States with the development of radioactive waste management and decommissioning. It is organized into units responsible for radioactive waste management (RWM) (pre-disposal and disposal), decommissioning of installations, environmental remediation of contaminated sites, and the management of disused sealed radioactive sources (DSRS). Efforts are mainly focused on the elaboration and implementation of comprehensive and integrated RWM strategies, the development of RWM infrastructure, the promotion of good practices for sustainable, safe and cost-effective RWM and the provision of direct assistance through the technical cooperation (TC) programme and the nuclear security programme. The Waste Technology Section is part of the Division of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology in the Department of Nuclear Energy.

The current position falls under the IAEA's programme on the management of DSRS, which provides advice to Member States on all aspects related to the management and disposition of disused sealed radioactive sources. In particular, it provides direct assistance to Member States in the recovery, characterization, conditioning and storage of DSRS, and advises them on subsequent management work. In recent years, expectations have been rising for upgrading the safety and security of DSRS management. In this respect, a number of initiatives are under way, involving several Member States and international organizations. They address the recovery, identification and conditioning of all types of sources for either repatriation or storage within a Member State in a safe and secure manner. This programme also includes the development of methodologies and technologies for the safe handling and conditioning of various source types and the provision of relevant technical support to their deployment.

Main purpose

As a member of a team led by the Section Head, the Nuclear Engineer advises and provides support to Member States upgrading their DSRS management infrastructure and strengthening their technical capabilities to safely and securely manage DSRS.

Role

The Nuclear Engineer works in the area of sealed source management and intervenes either as: (1) a programme implementer, contributing specialized knowledge and experience to the planning and development of the IAEA's programme; (2) a scientific secretary/technical expert, planning and leading technical meetings; (3) a project manager and coordinator, planning and leading source conditioning missions, including pre-missions; and (4) a technical and project officer implementing TC projects in the area of waste management.

Partnerships

The activities on radioactive source management involve effective cooperation with national, regional and international organizations e.g. USNRC (United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission), US DOE (NNSA) (United States Department of Energy (National Nuclear Security Administration)), EU (European Union), ISSPA (International Source Suppliers and Producers Association) and other relevant private and governmental institutions and initiatives. The transfer and sharing of experience and technical know-how and the promotion of partnership is an indispensable tool for solving problems associated with sealed radioactive sources.

Functions / Key Results Expected

To collect and collate information about the status and trends of DSRS management in Member States by means of reports, meetings, discussions, conferences, workshops and symposia.
To contribute specialized knowledge and experience to the planning, development and implementation of the IAEA's programme on the Management of DSRS.
To develop methodologies and techniques for the collection, conditioning and storage of DSRS, including the use of regional approaches, and to prepare relevant technical reports.
To plan and hold consultancies and technical meetings and to develop technical publications on relevant subject areas for dissemination to Member States.
To plan, organize and implement source conditioning pre-missions, recovery and conditioning operations, follow-up visits; provide technical input for the preparation of technical scope for contractual agreements; contribute to the identification and selection of qualified sub-contractors; interact with the country counterparts and sub-contractors as needed for the preparation and implementation of pre-missions and source conditioning operations.
To advise on source transportation and repatriation aspects as and when the need arises and in particular when incidents occur involving disused sources.
To evaluate TC projects, develop project work plans, implement TC activities, plan, organize and participate in seminars, workshops, expert missions and training courses.
To participate and represent the IAEA at international conferences and other meetings.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Professional expertise: Good knowledge of relevant disciplines in radiation protection, radioactive material handling and transport.
Planning and managerial skills: ability to set clearly defined objectives; ability to plan activities/projects well in advance, taking into account possible changing circumstances; ability to identify and organize required resources, including external consultants, and to monitor performance against deadlines and milestones.
Strong communication skills including the ability to write technical documents in a structured manner and to deliver effective oral presentations.
Excellent interpersonal skills:
- Ability to discuss and coordinate work with Member States for the organization of meetings, workshops or symposia;
- Ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
Proven ability to use standard software (Microsoft Office) the Internet and computerized databases.

Education, Experience and Language Skills

University (or equivalent) degree in the field of nuclear engineering or nuclear technology or a related area, preferably in radioactive waste management.
At least 7 years of working experience in a relevant field, including experience working with radioactive sources.
Extensive relevant experience at the international level.
In-depth knowledge and experience in scientific/technical principles of and developments in the field of radioactive waste management, in particular DSRS handling, conditioning, transport and storage.
Practical operational experience of radioactive source characterization, handling, conditioning, transport and storage.
Fluency in written and spoken English. Knowledge of French, Russian or Spanish an asset.

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 $42 713*, 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.