Vacancy Notice No. 2009/078


Position and Grade:	Section Head (P-5)
Organizational Unit:	Physics Section Division of Physical and Chemical Sciences Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications
Duty Station:	Vienna, Austria
Issue Date:	20 August 2009 (re-opened on 21 October 2009)
Application Deadline:	5 November 2009
Type/Duration of Appointment:	Fixed term, 3 years (subject to a probationary period of 1 year)

Organizational Setting

The Division of Physical and Chemical Sciences is one of five divisions in the Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications. The Division of Physical and Chemical Sciences comprises four sections, including the Physics Section, and is responsible for carrying out IAEA activities to assist and advise Member States in assessing their needs for research and development in the nuclear sciences, as well as supporting their activities in specific fields, including: atomic and nuclear data for applications; accelerator applications, utilization of research reactors, and controlled nuclear fusion; plasma physics applications; production of radioisotopes and labelled compounds; industrial applications of radiation and isotopes; isotope hydrology and geochemistry; nuclear and analytical chemistry, and radiation chemistry.

The operating environment is dynamic and interactive with inputs received from policy- and decision-makers and technical counterparts in Member States and the international development community. The environment is development-oriented and involves strong collaboration with a global network of nuclear science specialists. The Section Head manages a group of 5 professional and 3 support staff, including a research reactor applications specialist, an accelerator physicist, nuclear physicists, a plasma physicist and secretarial support.

Main purpose

As a team leader reporting to the Division Director, the Section Head initiates, manages, coordinates and supervises IAEA projects on the utilization of research reactors, accelerator applications and allied instrumentation for materials development and spectrometry, nuclear fusion and plasma physics, and liaison with ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor). He/she is also the manager of two cross-cutting subprogrammes on accelerator applications and on nuclear fusion research within the nuclear science programme, which is a part of the IAEA's Major Programme on nuclear power, fuel cycle and nuclear science. Accordingly, the activities under the nuclear science programme are implemented in close cooperation with the Department of Nuclear Energy.

Role

The Section Head is: (1) a manager and team leader, of the activities of the Section, in accordance with Member States' needs; (2) a substantive expert contributor, managing projects of particular complexity and sensitivity; (3) a scientific secretary to international scientific meetings related to a specialized field; (4) a coordinator of inter-agency collaborative projects within the UN system, including reviewing and providing systematic overviews and preparing technical documentation and papers for discussions.

Partnerships

The Section Head engages high-level counterparts in Member States involved in programme planning and implementation to ensure the effective transfer and sharing of technical and managerial know-how and promotion of partnership building with other international organizations, (such as ITER, IEA (International Energy Agency), and NEA (Nuclear Energy Agency)), NGOs and other relevant institutions, including major national nuclear centres in Member States as well as professional societies. He/she meets regularly with the Division Director, other Section Heads and colleagues in the Department to ensure the effective utilization and integration of all resources (human, financial and technical).

Functions / Key Results Expected

Develop the subprogrammes on accelerator applications and on nuclear fusion research in line with the strategic direction of the Department of Nuclear Energy and the Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications and the recommendations from the meetings of the standing advisory bodies, SAGNE (Standing Advisory Group on Nuclear Energy) and SAGNA (Standing Advisory Group on Nuclear Applications), International Fusion Research Council (IFRC), Technical Working Group on Research Reactors, and with the expressed needs of Member States.
Plan, manage, coordinate, monitor and supervise the implementation of the activities of the Section in accordance with Member States' needs: ensure that innovative policies and strategies, quality management standards and a results based approach are part of the overall management of the Section; ensure quality reports on the implementation and performance assessment of projects and subprogrammes handled by Physics Section.
Manage the Section's coordinated research projects (CRPs) in the subject area and act as project officer by providing technical guidance, formulating suitable research and development project proposals, evaluating research contract proposals and renewal requests, monitoring progress, collating relevant data/information, organizing periodic research coordination meetings and assisting in publishing relevant scientific information; ensure research projects are well managed and recognized within the scientific community.
Broaden and deepen the field of knowledge by organizing scientific meetings related to the specialized field and serving as scientific secretary, preparing scientific programmes, contributing to the preparation and editing of scientific reports, manuals, proceedings and other scientific publications; prepare and organize in-house meetings in support of the Section's scientific programme.
Maintain the high standing and recognition of the IAEA in the scientific community by representing the IAEA at international and national meetings as required; establish and maintain contacts with individual scientists at various centres and other relevant international organizations, for example ICTP (International Centre for Theoretical Physics) and ITER, committees and scientific societies.
Coordinate the provision of specialized technical input to technical cooperation projects in the subject area and provide technical guidance; evaluate proposals, develop work plans, select qualified experts, evaluate expert reports, provide technical evaluation of fellowship applications and guidance related to the programmes of study; provide support in planning and implementing training courses and workshops, including those to be held in cooperation with the ICTP in Trieste, Italy.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Demonstrated scientific, managerial and leadership skills to lead a multidisciplinary team and to take a strategic approach.
Comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge, including research and teaching, in two or more of the following fields and general knowledge in the other fields: nuclear physics, neutron-based techniques, accelerator and research reactor applications and allied instrumentation, nuclear fusion and plasma physics.
Familiarity with international projects and strategies in fusion power development.
Extensive publication record in reputable scientific journals in the field of specialization and invitations to lecture at international meetings/events.
Familiarity with IAEA projects, activities and services, as well as CRPs and technical cooperation projects related to the above fields.
Proven ability to build collaborative partnerships with other international institutes active in the same area and demonstrated ability to maintain strong interpersonal relationship with peers and collaborators.
Familiarity with and understanding of the specific needs and conditions of developing countries and proven ability in matters relating to strengthening human capacity development in developing countries.
Strong communication skills, including demonstrated ability in drafting and reviewing technical documents and making effective oral presentations.

Education, Experience and Language Skills

Advanced university degree, preferably a PhD, in nuclear physics, plasma physics, nuclear engineering or in a related field of physical science.
A minimum of ten years' relevant professional experience in planning and project coordination related to two or more areas of the following: nuclear physics, accelerator technology and applications, neutron-based techniques, plasma physics and nuclear fusion, material science or reactor applications and allied instrumentation, of which at least five years should have been at the multinational/international level and three years at the managerial level.
Demonstrated management experience in:

Implementing complex scientific projects, including planning, implementation, monitoring and management of human and financial resources;
Supervising and leading co-workers as well as in handling interpersonal matters.

Proven experience of scientific and technical collaborations and similar interactions with major national/international nuclear centres and their programme managers.
Fluency in spoken and written English. Working knowledge of other official IAEA languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) would be an asset.

Remuneration

The Agency offers an attractive remuneration package including a tax-free annual net base salary starting at US $77 190 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance), a variable post adjustment which currently amounts to US $50 945*, dependency benefits, diplomatic status, 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.