Nuclear Safety Specialist

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is an international organisation comprised of 38 member countries that works to build better policies for better lives. Our mission is to promote policies that will improve the economic and social well-being of people around the world.  Together with governments, policy makers and citizens, we work on establishing evidence-based international standards, and finding solutions to a range of social, economic and environmental challenges. From improving economic performance and creating jobs to fostering strong education and fighting international tax evasion, we provide a unique forum and knowledge hub for data and analysis, exchange of experiences, best-practice sharing, and advice on public policies and international standard-setting.

The Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) is an intergovernmental agency, which operates under the framework of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). It facilitates cooperation among countries with advanced nuclear technology infrastructures to seek excellence in nuclear safety, technology, science, related environmental and economic matters, and law. The mission of the NEA is to assist its 34 member countries in maintaining and further developing, through international cooperation, the scientific, technological, and legal bases required for a safe, environmentally sound, and economical use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. It strives to provide authoritative assessments and to forge common understandings on key issues as input to government decisions on nuclear technology policies.

We are looking for a Nuclear Safety Specialist whose main responsibility will be to serve as technical support to subsidiary working groups under the Committee on the Safety of Nuclear Installations (CSNI). S/he will work under the supervision of the Head of the Nuclear Safety Technology and Regulation Division. 

Main Responsibilities

Working group management

The technical secretary will\:

• Provide support to technical and management bodies of working groups and specialist meetings concerned with various areas of nuclear safety and regulation as needed especially those related to safety issues identified after the Fukushima Daiichi accident and essential in the progress on the decommissioning of the plants;
• Provide the associated support to the two standing technical committees in nuclear safety as appropriate;
• Organise meetings and oversee ongoing activities (surveys, state of the art reports, benchmarks) of the assigned working group;
• Develop and maintain good working relationships and close contacts with safety experts, research community representatives and national regulatory authorities and other industrial partners as appropriate;
• Support the WG members to liaise with ongoing national and international programmes in the area of the working group;
• Promote the visibility and application of committee work products and facilitate the publication of reports;
• Anticipate the implications of trends and identify the specific needs of member countries in his/her area of expertise, and advise the Heads of Division on how to respond.

Planning and co-ordination

• Plan and organise committee and working group meetings, workshops and special events, including the development of specific agendas, expected outcomes and presentation materials. Provide technical guidance and support for committee and working group decisions and actions taken during working group meetings, workshops and special events.
• Work closely with the Committee on the Safety of Nuclear Installations (CSNI), where appropriate, to ensure that relevant activities are effectively and efficiently co-ordinated.
• Facilitate co-operation with other NEA’s standing techinical committees, where appropriate.

Drafting

• Support the production of high quality documents, such as meeting summaries, reports and other documentation based on the technical information arising from these activities, co-ordinate and participate in the preparation of state-of-the-art reports and technical notes in Japanese and English.

Representation and outreach

• Represent the NEA at conferences and international meetings, summarising relevant activities at the NEA, and provide reports on such events.
• Anticipate the implications of trends and identify the specific needs of member countries in his/her area of expertise, and advise the Head of Division on how to respond.

Communication and Co-ordination

• Develop good working relationships and close contacts with national regulatory authorities and safety experts, especially with Japan.
• Develop and maintain good working relationships and close contacts with safety experts, research community representatives and national regulatory authorities and other industrial partners as appropriate especially from Japan;
• Maintain necessary co-ordination and, as appropriate, close co-operation with other international organisations active in the field of nuclear safety and regulation.

Miscellaneous

• Carry out other tasks as assigned by the Head of Division.

Ideal Candidate Profile

Academic Background

• An advanced university degree in a scientific discipline such as engineering, technics, or scientific knowledge, or equivalent professional training.

Professional Background

• At least three, preferably five to seven years of professional experience concerning the safety of nuclear installations and the management of regulatory activities.
• Proven experience in interacting with national and international experts, regulatory authorities, nuclear industry and safety institutions for developing consensus on nuclear safety priorities.
• Demonstated ability to manage programme of works with strict deadlines and within budget.

Tools

• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office suite.    

Languages

• Fluency in one of the two OECD official languages (English and French) and knowledge of the other, with a commitment to reach a good working level.
• Due to the particular focus of the position, proficiency in reading, writing and speaking Japanese is required.

Core competencies

• For this role, the following competencies would be particularly important\: Analytical thinking, Achievement Focus, Drafting skills, Flexible thinking, Managing resources, Teamwork.
• Please also refer to the level 3 indicators of the OECD Core Competencies.

Contract duration

• Two-year fixed term appointment, with possibility of renewal.

What the OECD offers

• Monthly base salary starting from 7,784 EUR, plus allowances based on eligibility, exempt of French income tax.
• Click here to learn more about what we offer and why the OECD is a great place to work.
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Please note that the appointment may be made at a lower grade based on the qualifications and professional experience of the selected applicant.

The OECD is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes the applications of all qualified candidates who are nationals of NEA or OECD member countries, irrespective of their racial or ethnic origin, opinions or beliefs, gender, sexual orientation, health or disabilities.

The OECD promotes an optimal use of resources to improve its efficiency and effectiveness. Staff members are encouraged to actively contribute to this goal.