Vacancy Notice No. 2009/601
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: 5 June 2009
Application Deadline: 18 August 2009
Type/Duration of Appointment: Fixed term Temporary Assistance, 2 years (subject to a probationary period of 1 year)

Organizational Setting
The Division of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology, in the Department Nuclear Energy, aims to increase the capabilities of interested Member States for relevant policymaking, strategic planning, technology development and for the implementation of safe, reliable, economically efficient, proliferation resistant and environmentally sound nuclear fuel cycle and radioactive waste management (RWM) programmes.

The Waste Technology Section, one of its two sections, covers a broad spectrum of activities and is organized into units responsible for RWM (predisposal and disposal), decommissioning of installations, environmental remediation of contaminated sites and 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 programme and the nuclear security programme.

In recent years, expectations have been rising for upgrading the sustainable, safe and cost-effective management of radioactive waste, in particular in developing countries with small inventories of radioactive waste, including DSRS, resulting mainly from activities related to nuclear applications.

One of the Section's main activities is to provide direct technical assistance to such developing Member States in the implementation of their programmes and establishment of the required infrastructure to deal with radioactive waste in an effective, efficient and sustainable manner. In addition, the Section provides practical guidance to Member States in the operation of their radioactive waste processing and storage facilities . The IAEA's RWM programme aims to encourage information exchange and experience sharing on various RWM activities, and also to promote good RWM practices through the development of technical publications, the drafting of operational procedures, the provision of guidance on the selection of adequate processes and technologies, the establishment of quality management systems, and the strengthening of technical capabilities through training.

Main purpose
The Nuclear Engineer is expected to interact with all developing Member State organizations from the non-nuclear industry (research, universities, hospitals, industry) involved in the generation and/or management of radioactive waste, including DSRS. The guidance and support provided by the Nuclear Engineer is mostly focused on RWM operational aspects, i.e. generation, characterization, sorting, treatment, conditioning, transport, storage, including relevant methodologies and suitable processes and technologies to manage radioactive waste safely and cost-effectively.

Role
Reporting to a senior Nuclear Engineer, the Nuclear Engineer is: (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, developing technical publications, planning and holding technical meetings; and (3) a technical and project officer, assessing and implementing technical cooperation projects, and promoting, coordinating and evaluating coordinated research projects (CRPs).

Partnerships
The Nuclear Engineer engages high-level counterparts in Member State institutions regarding programme planning and implementation to ensure the effective transfer and sharing of technical know-how. He/she promotes partnership building with appropriate UN organizations, NGOs and other relevant institutions.

The Nuclear Engineer participates in meetings with Member State representatives and with advisory groups to identify needs and respond to the interests of Member States in the RWM field. In addition, the Nuclear Engineer works closely with appropriate technical departments within the IAEA, Member State institutions and other relevant international organizations to promote and ensure the development and implementation of safe, sustainable and cost-effective RWM approaches and practices.

Functions / Key Results Expected
  • Contribute specialized knowledge and experience to the planning, development and implementation of the IAEA's RWM programme.
  • Collect and collate information on RWM status and trends in developing Member States; identify the issues and challenges faced by these countries with regard to safe and cost-effective RWM; and analyse Member States' needs and propose solutions to address those needs through the Agency's work programmes.
  • Support the IAEA's technical cooperation programme with respect to RWM: assess requests for technical assistance; develop work plans; plan, supervise, coordinate and implement technical cooperation activities (expert missions, fellowships, scientific visits, training courses, workshops, equipment procurement, etc.).
  • Develop technical publications; collect and disseminate technical information on the management of institutional radioactive waste, including DSRS; select and hire experts; organize and hold consultants meetings, technical meetings and/or workshops.
  • Advise developing Member States on the most suitable approaches and methodologies, and on adequate processes and proven/reliable/cost-effective technologies to manage institutional radioactive waste, (characterization, segregation, treatment, conditioning, transport, storage, etc.) and to condition, transport, and safely and securely store DSRS.
  • Advise and assist Member States with regard to the development and implementation of quality management systems and tools suitable for RWM, such as computerized databases and tracking systems.
  • Organize and participate in hands-on training activities on operational aspects of RWM.
  • Promote, coordinate and evaluate CRPs dealing with the management of institutional radioactive waste.
  • Contribute to the organization and implementation of IAEA international conferences, symposia, workshops, training courses, etc. in the field of RWM.
  • Participate in and represent the IAEA at international conferences and other meetings.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
  • Professional expertise:
    • Good knowledge of relevant disciplines in radiation protection, radiation shielding, radiation interaction with matter and radioactive material handling, treatment, conditioning, storage and transport.
    • Good knowledge of radiation protection and environmental protection standards and norms; familiarity with operational safety aspects for RWM facilities and practices.
  • Good management 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.
  • Good communication skills including the ability to write technical documents in a structured manner and to deliver effective oral presentations.
  • Interpersonal skills:
    • Ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries and to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity;
    • Ability to interact with Member States on the elaboration of work plans, and to discuss and coordinate work with Member States for the implementation of activities, organization of meetings and workshops.
  • Proven ability to use standard software (Microsoft Office), the Internet and to work with databases developed in different environments (Access, SQL, etc.).

Education, Experience and Language Skills
  • University (or equivalent) degree in the field of nuclear engineering or nuclear technology, preferably related to RWM.
  • At least 7 years of working experience relevant to the operational aspects of RWM, preferably radioactive waste from nuclear applications.
  • In-depth knowledge and experience in technical aspects of predisposal RWM.
  • Extensive relevant experience at the international level.
  • Experience of working in a national/international nuclear organization or institute desirable.
  • Fluency in written and spoken English. Knowledge of French, Russian or Spanish desirable.

NOTE: This is not an established IAEA 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 $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.