Vacancy Notice No. 2009/902
Position and Grade: Satellite Imagery Analyst (Advanced Technologies) (P-4)
Organizational Unit: Information Collection and Analysis Section
Division of Information Management
Department of Safeguards
Duty Station: Vienna, Austria
Issue Date: 19 June 2009
Application Deadline: 4 August 2009
Type/Duration of Appointment: Fixed term Temporary Assistance, 2 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 Division of Information Management comprises of four sections and provides the Department of Safeguards with the services of data processing, secure information distribution, information analysis and knowledge generation necessary to draw independent, impartial and credible safeguards conclusions.

The Section for Information Collection and Analysis contributes to the all-source information analysis necessary for the IAEA to produce credible conclusions, as required, concerning the compliance of States with their safeguards obligations. The Section participates in the review and definition of processes and technologies for information collection, processing, dissemination and analysis in support of the State evaluation process. It assists in defining information collection and analysis processes and in the assessment of relevant tools and systems.

Within this Section the Satellite Imagery Analysis Unit is responsible for the exploitation of satellite imagery within the Department. The Unit's staff have the following responsibilities: imagery analysis, including correlation/fusion with other sources (open source, geospatial, and third party); the production of analytical reports and other supporting materials and systems to assist field operations and State evaluations; imagery collection specifications; image processing using specialized software/hardware; the processing/maintenance of geographic information; and, the production/maintenance of site layouts and related attributes.

Main purpose
The Satellite Imagery Analyst (Advanced Technologies) is the expert in processing and analysis of multisensor imagery, in particular radar, in support of the Unit's mission of assisting the Department's objective with respect to nuclear verification preparation and evaluation activities.

Role
The Satellite Imagery Analyst is: (1) a specialist in non-optical and optical image data fusion and imagery analysis activities associated with monitoring nuclear sites and facilities; (2) an author of analytical reports; (3) a coordinator of the integration of open source, State declared and other collateral information into the imagery analysis process; and (4) a proactive leader of R&D programmes supported by IAEA Member States.

Partnerships
The Satellite Imagery Analyst (Advanced Technologies) is the focal point for specific imagery analysis tasks for the Operations Divisions, coordinating and consolidating customers' expectations, contributing to the establishment of priorities and evaluating task requests.

Within the Division of Information Management, the incumbent builds and develops relationships with other analysts, and guides them and support staff in the imagery acquisition process, the pre-processing of supporting geospatial data and the research and collection of open source information, including with regard to the application of advanced imagery technologies.

Besides developing and disseminating imagery analysis products, the successful candidate is required to build partnerships with staff across the Department as required.

As a specialist in cutting edge imagery technologies, she/he develops and maintains a network of experts relevant to new sensors and technologies, including external MSSP (Member State Support Programme) collaborators and researchers.

Functions / Key Results Expected
In cooperation with other imagery analysts and led by the Unit Head, the Satellite Imagery Analyst is responsible for the imagery analysis process for specific tasks in support of the Operations Divisions within the Department of Safeguards. Specifically to:
  • Analyse satellite images pertinent to safeguards verification by: analysing multisensor data, including high-resolution panchromatic, multispectral, hyperspectral and radar imagery; providing imagery expertise in the verification of State declarations, generating high-quality analytical reports and presenting the findings within the Division and Department; and guiding/mentoring other staff in the image collection/processing and open source compilation processes;
  • Lead technology development/implementation efforts by presenting methods and analytical techniques in internal and external workshops, conferences and training courses and managing Member State supported research and development programmes, with emphasis on radar exploitation tasks;
  • Collaborate with other staff of the Department on major cross-cutting projects such as: development of integrated analytical products, preparation of State evaluation reports, and IT enhancement activities requiring the development of requirements, including the contribution of expertise and leadership to the design and development of new exploitation capabilities for the Unit;
  • Participate in on-site inspections, as required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
  • Professional expertise:
    • Broad knowledge of satellite imagery analysis of nuclear and nuclear related facilities and an in-depth knowledge of the use of optical and radar data and image processing techniques and algorithms;
    • A strong working knowledge of imagery indicators associated with the nuclear fuel cycle;
    • A good technical and geographical knowledge of nuclear proliferation, nuclear activities and other related technologies;
    • Good knowledge of nuclear activities, with emphasis on imagery related signatures and observables.
  • Strong interpersonal skills:
    • Ability to build team spirit, mentor, and work collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals;
    • Ability to work in a multicultural environment with respect and sensitivity for diversity.
  • Leadership skills.
  • Communication and analytical skills: Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and to produce high-quality analytical reports and presentations, including training.

Education, Experience and Language Skills
  • University (or equivalent) degree in remote sensing, physics, engineering, image processing or a closely related field.
  • At least 7 years of relevant practical experience, including 3 years of recent experience in multisensor imagery analysis for nuclear safeguards or nuclear proliferation purposes, with an emphasis on radar imagery analysis.
  • Demonstrated experience in presenting and/or teaching analytical methods and/or scientific findings involving imagery analysis, radar exploitation and the nuclear fuel cycle.
  • Expertise in radar imaging, involving hands-on experience in the acquisition, processing, and analysis of radar imagery, including familiarity with interferometric and coherence techniques.
  • Experience with commercial off-the-shelf software for exploiting radar imagery, including speckle filtering formulation, polarization decomposition techniques and classification algorithms.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.

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.