This selection exercise may be used to generate a roster of pre-approved candidates to address future staffing needs for similar functions in any of the Departments and Offices of the Organization.
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING APPLICATION DEADLINE: Please note that the closing date for submission of applications is indicated in local time as per the time zone of the applicant's location.
Organizational Setting
The Department of Safeguards carries out the IAEA’s duties and responsibilities as the world’s nuclear inspectorate, supporting global efforts to stop the spread of nuclear weapons. The primary role of the Department is to develop and implement IAEA safeguards to ensure that there is no diversion of declared nuclear material from peaceful activities and no indications of undeclared nuclear material or activities in a State as a whole.
The Department comprises nuclear safeguards inspectors, responsible for carrying out inspections and verifications of all-safeguards relevant information for nuclear facilities in over 180 States; and technical staff responsible for a wide range of activities including: developing concepts and approaches for implementing safeguards; developing and maintaining safeguards equipment; providing analytical and laboratory services for sample analysis; collecting, evaluating and analysing safeguards-relevant information; providing information and communication technology infrastructure and services; and providing programme coordination support. The Division of Technical and Scientific Services ensures the provision of state-of-the-art equipment and related expertise for the accomplishment of the Department of Safeguards activities. Within this mandate, the Division is responsible for procurement, testing, provision, inventory control, performance monitoring and maintenance of safeguards equipment and supplies required by SGO Divisions; management of equipment development and engineering activities to meet quality and safeguards requirements; development and provision of documentation, procedures, instrumentation methods and techniques; provision of specialized technical and scientific support to inspectors and inspection activities in the field and at headquarters; and, radiation contamination monitoring of returned equipment and timely write-off of obsolete or contaminated equipment. The Division also coordinates departmental health and safety activities.
Main Purpose
Reporting to the Team Leader, the Instrumentation Engineer provides professional expertise for the deployment of instrumentation for safeguards verification purposes in nuclear facilities worldwide. In addition to providing expert advice and support to the Operations Divisions on the use of instruments and in the review of collected data, the Instrumentation Engineer may contribute to the development of instrumentation, methods and techniques.
Role
The Instrumentation Engineer is: (1) a technical professional, ensuring the efficient and effective implementation of instrumentation; (2) an implementer, installing and maintaining this instrumentation in nuclear facilities around the world; (3) a project coordinator, organizing implementation, maintenance and other technical tasks; (4) a technical writer, drafting and updating user requirements for safeguards instrumentation, specifications, procedures and other technical reports.
Functions / Key Results Expected
Plan and organize the work, focusing on priorities, selecting and implementing the most effective and efficient technical solutions for monitoring and verification of nuclear material in line with the Department of Safeguards’ quality management system and principles of continuous process improvement.
Draft test plans, test reports, operating procedures and technical requirements for safeguards instrumentation.
Carry out infield installation of safeguards instrumentation, including configuration, laboratory evaluation, performance testing and validation.
Provide analytical support in reviewing instrumentation data and identifying irregularities.
Plan and implement effective maintenance procedures for field and headquarters, supporting the timely repair and upgrade of instrumentation to ensure system reliability and data availability.
Act as an end-user and subject matter expert during the design and development of new equipment, evaluate technical solutions for possible vulnerabilities and provide mitigation solutions in her/his role as a member of the development project team.
Provide technical support to the Department, including assistance in the compilation of needs, providing infield support during inspections and instrumentation training as required.
Subject to approval of the Board of Governors, function as a safeguards inspector.
The incumbent may perform his/her work in areas involving exposure to radioactive materials. Therefore, as an Occupationally Exposed Worker, he/she must be medically cleared by VIC Medical Service and is subject to an appropriate radiation and health monitoring programme, in accordance with the IAEA's Radiation Safety Regulations.
Competencies and Expertise
Core Competencies(Competency Framework)
| Name | Definition |
|---|---|
|   | |
| Communication | Communicates orally and in writing in a clear, concise and impartial manner. Takes time to listen to and understand the perspectives of others and proposes solutions. |
|   | |
| Achieving Results | Takes initiative in defining realistic outputs and clarifying roles, responsibilities and expected results in the context of the Department/Division’s programme. Evaluates his/her results realistically, drawing conclusions from lessons learned. |
|   | |
| Teamwork | Actively contributes to achieving team results. Supports team decisions. |
|   | |
| Planning and Organizing | Plans and organizes his/her own work in support of achieving the team or Section’s priorities. Takes into account potential changes and proposes contingency plans. |
Functional Competencies
| Name | Definition |
|---|---|
|   | |
| Analytical thinking | Analyses information to identify cause and effect relationships and correlations. Identifies critical elements and assesses consequences of different courses of action and proposes solutions. |
|   | |
| Client orientation | Helps clients to analyse their needs. Seeks to understand service needs from the client’s perspective and ensure that the client’s standards are met. |
|   | |
| Judgement/decision making | Consults with supervisor/manager and takes decisions in full compliance with the Agency’s regulations and rules. Makes decisions reflecting best practice and professional theories and standards. |
|   | |
| Resilience | Maintains a high level of performance when facing pressure and uncertainty. Able to remain calm and self-controlled, and to respond logically and decisively in difficult situations. |
Required Expertise
| Function | Name | Expertise Description |
|---|---|---|
|   |   |   |
| Other Technical Engineering | Electrical Engineering | Knowledge of electronics pertinent to both analogue and digital technologies in the context of radiation detection and characterization, imaging and data acquisition systems. |
|   |   |   |
| Other Technical Engineering | Engineering and Technology | Demonstrated expertise with radiation detection equipment and techniques. |
|   |   |   |
| Other Technical Engineering | General Engineering | Ability to test, install and document the performance and reliability of electronic equipment/instruments. |
|   |   |   |
| Information Technology | IT Hardware Installation and Maintenance | Knowledge of data communication technologies, with a particular focus on instrument/computer networking. |
|   |   |   |
| Information Technology | Information Technology and Data Processing | Demonstrated expertise with visual technologies and/or image processing software packages. |
|   |   |   |
| Safeguards | Non-destructive Assay | Demonstrated expertise in performing field activities such as installing, testing, calibrating and/or maintaining non-destructive systems for the verification of nuclear material, and supporting inspections. |
Asset Expertise
| Function | Name | Expertise Description |
|---|---|---|
|   |   |   |
| Information Technology | Concepts and solutions for secure information flow | Demonstrated expertise and experience in designing, developing or constructing containment solutions for the protection of security critical components. |
|   |   |   |
| Nuclear Engineering | Nuclear Fuel Cycle Facilities | Knowledge of the nuclear fuel cycle. |
|   |   |   |
| Management and Programme Analysis | Project Management | Familiarity with project management principles and experience in the use of project management tools. |
|   |   |   |
| Safeguards | Safeguards System, Basic | Knowledge of safeguards equipment and methodologies. |
|   |   |   |
| Information Technology | Software Engineering | Demonstrated experience in the use of software tools for the design of mechanical components. |
Qualifications, Experience and Language skills
Bachelor's Degree - University degree in physics, chemistry, engineering with specialization in a field relevant to nuclear engineering or nuclear technology or electronics/electrical engineering.
Minimum of five years of work experience in the application of non-destructive assay and/or imaging and/or containment solutions, preferably in the context of nuclear security or safeguards.
Experience in testing and performance evaluation, commissioning, operation and troubleshooting of portable and installed instrumentation, including network solutions.
Experience in data processing and evaluation, as well as analytical support.
Experience of working in an international environment an asset.
NOTE: The incumbent may perform his/her work in areas involving exposure to radioactive materials. Therefore, as an Occupationally Exposed Worker, he/she must be medically cleared by VIC Medical Service and is subject to an appropriate radiation and health monitoring programme, in accordance with the IAEA's Radiation Safety Regulations.
Excellent oral and written command of English. Knowledge of other official IAEA languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish) is an asset.
Remuneration
The IAEA offers an attractive remuneration package including a tax-free annual net base salary starting at US $71335 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance), a variable post adjustment which currently amounts to US $ 37166, dependency benefits, rental subsidy, education grant, relocation and repatriation expenses; Other benefits include 6 weeks' annual leave, home leave travel, pension plan and health insurance. More information on the conditions of employment can be found at: https://www.iaea.org/about/employment/professional-staff/conditions
General Information
- The IAEA's paramount consideration in the recruitment of staff member is to secure employees of the highest standards of efficiency, technical competence and integrity.
- Staff Members shall be selected without any unfair treatment or arbitrary distinction based on a person's race, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, disability, age, language, social origin or other similar shared characteristic or trait.
- The IAEA is committed to gender equality and to promoting a diverse workforce. Applications from qualified women and candidates from developing countries are strongly encouraged.
- Applicants should be aware that IAEA staff members are international civil servants and may not accept instructions from any other authority. The IAEA is committed to applying the highest ethical standards in carrying out its mandate. As part of the United Nations common system, the IAEA subscribes to the following core ethical standards (or values): Integrity, Professionalism and Respect for diversity.
- The IAEA has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and the IAEA, including sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination.
Evaluation process
- The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the selection criteria stated in the vacancy announcement. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information. Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise, which may be followed by a competency-based interview.
- Candidates under serious consideration for selection may be subject to reference and background checks as part of the recruitment process.
Appointment information
- Appointment is subject to a satisfactory medical report.
- Staff members may be assigned to any location.
- Candidates appointed to posts in the Professional and higher categories are subject to IAEA rotation policy and their maximum tour of service shall normally be seven years.
- The IAEA retains the discretion not to make any appointment to this vacancy, to make an appointment at a lower grade or with a different contract type, or to make an appointment with a modified job description or for shorter duration than indicated above.