Application deadline extended: International Atomic Energy Agency, Associate Energy Analyst, JPO

Vacancy announcement

IAEA JPO Programme

Associate Energy Analyst, JPO

Junior Professional Officer (JPO), Associate Energy Analyst, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Closing date

05 February 2023

6 pm GMT

Vacancy Announcement

I General information

Title:

Associate Energy Analyst (JPO)

Sector of Assignment:

Planning and Economic Studies Section (PESS)

Country:

Austria

Location (City):

Vienna

Agency:

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

Duration of Assignment:

Initially 1 year (with possible extension for another year)

Grade:

P2 step 1

Note: This post is in the context of the Junior Professional Officer (JPO) scheme sponsored by the United Kingdom and is open to UK Nationals only.

II Background information on Agency/Department/Section

Organisational setting:

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) was established in 1957 and is a specialised agency of the United Nations. It has three main areas of responsibility: nuclear safeguards verification, nuclear safety and security, and promoting the peaceful uses of nuclear technologies.

The Division of Energy Planning and Nuclear Information and Knowledge (NEPIK), which sits under the Department of Nuclear Energy, is responsible for strengthening energy and nuclear power planning, nuclear knowledge management services including creation of material information on nuclear science and technology.

The Planning and Economic Studies Unit (PESS) within NEPIK has two objectives:

-          enhancing the capacity of Member States to perform their own analyses related to electricity and energy system development, energy investment planning and energy/environment policy formulation and to understand the associated economic implications.

-          improving the understanding of the role of nuclear energy, including advanced reactors and Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) in the context of climate change mitigation and contribution to sustainable energy development.

III Duties, responsibilities and Output Expectations

Main Purpose

As a member of the PESS team, the Associate Energy Analyst assists Member States in elaborating their sustainable energy strategies by increasing understanding in Member States in the area of integration of nuclear energy (both large reactors and SMRs) with other low carbon energy options, including through the coupling of the power sector and the non-power sector, through electrification and the use of hydrogen as a low-carbon energy carrier, produced from electrolysis using low carbon electricity.

The Associate Energy Analyst fulfils two principal roles:

(1) modelling - contributing to the development and modelling of the integration of nuclear power with variable renewables wind and solar;

(2) analytical -  contributing to the analysis of the role of nuclear power, including Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), in electrical systems with increased shares of variable renewables, and the coupling of the power sector with the non-power sector.

Key responsibilities will include:

·       Contribute to the modelling and analysis of the role of nuclear power in electricity systems with increased shares of variable renewables and of the coupling between the power sector and non-power sector through electrification and use of hydrogen produced from low carbon electricity, using the IAEA energy supply model MESSAGE and the internal optimization model of low carbon energy systems.

·       Contribute to the drafting of technical reports and/or publications regarding the modelling of energy scenarios for transitions to net zero systems, and highlighting the contribution of nuclear power including advanced reactors and Small Modular Reactors to the decarbonization of the energy sector. Other type of publications could include booklets for outreach such as the IAEA’s Nuclear Energy for a Net Zero World publication.

·       Assist in developing tailored communications to improve Member States’ understanding of the role of nuclear energy, including advanced reactors and SMRs in the context of climate change mitigation and contribution to sustainable energy development.

·       Provide support to members of the PESS section and other sections in the Department of Nuclear Energy on the topic of nuclear energy and climate change

·       Perform other work-related duties as required. 

IV Training component: Learning elements and expectations

On completion of the assignment, the JPO will have/be able to show competence in several of the following areas:

•                     Understanding of the workings of the International Atomic Energy Agency, substantive knowledge of the work of the Agency in the field of nuclear energy, in particular in the area of electricity and energy system development, energy investment planning, climate changeand energy/environment policy formulation. 

•                     Substantive and logistical preparations for international events, workshops and conferences.

•                     Development of analyses and assessments.

•                     Formulation of policy/technical advice.

•                     Servicing of multilateral meetings.

•                     Working effectively in a multilateral context.

V Supervision

Title of Supervisor:

Senior Energy Economist, PESS

Content and methodology of supervision: Establishment of a Work Plan: During the first month of the assignment, the Junior Professional Officer (JPO) will work jointly with his/her direct supervisor to finalise an agreed upon work plan. The final work plan will be discussed and mutually agreed to by the JPO and his/her supervisor.

Evaluation: The IAEA’s new goal performance assessment framework will serve as a primary platform to evaluate of the JPO’s performance.

VI Required Qualifications and Experience

Education: Advanced university degree in engineering, energy or environmental economics. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Working experience (incl. internships and volunteering):

Minimum of two years of work experience in engineering, energy or environmental economics, including development and qualification of energy/electricity system models. Knowledge of energy policy analysis would be an asset.

Languages:

For this position, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

Competencies:

VII Other information on Agency/Department/Section