Radiological Protection 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 within the framework of the OECD. It facilitates co-operation 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 co-operation, 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.

The NEA division of Radiological Protection and Human Aspects of Nuclear Safety (RP-HANS) conducts a range of activities and technical research in coordination with experts from participating countries in order to enhance public health, radiological protection, stakeholder engagement, education and nuclear safety culture.

The division is now looking for a Radiological Protection Specialist to support the work of the NEA Committee on Radiological Protection and Public Health (CRPPH), which includes radiological protection aspects of the public, the workers, the environment, including emergency management and related issues.

This position will need to integrate the multidisciplinary dimension of radiological protection challenges. It will contribute to the identification of significant topics and emerging issues, analysing their possible implications for radiological protection regulation and practices and, finally, supporting radiological protection development and implementation in member countries.

The successful candidate will work under the supervision of the Head of the Division of Radiological Protection and Human Aspects of Nuclear Safety (RP-HANS) and co-operate closely with other NEA divisions as required. S/he will carry out various scientific, technical and policy-related activities in support of the NEA programme of work as defined in the Committee on Radiological Protection and Public Health (CRPPH) and its working groups, in the areas of radiological protection and nuclear emergency management.

Main Responsibilities

Working group management

• Provide support and technical advice and analysis to technical committees, mostly the NEA Committee of Radiological Protection and Public Health, its related working groups such as the Working party on Nuclear Emergency Matters (WPNEM) and specialist meetings addressing a wide range of radiological protection matters (e.g., advances of sciences underlying radiological protection, evolution of the international radiological protection system, improvement of regulatory applicability in several areas,  holistic risk assessment and decision making, preparedness for nuclear emergencies, development of post-emergency recovery matters, stakeholder involvement and participatory process, occupational exposure of nuclear facility workers, knowledge management)
• Identify opportunities to further enhance the impacts of the Committee on Radiological Protection and Public Health (CRPPH) findings and outcomes worldwide, and provide informed input to NEA committees and working groups, on the basis of critical analysis of relevant published materials on supporting sciences and policies of radiological protection aspects in many application fields;   
• Contribute actively to strengthening international cooperation through sharing the lessons learned from experience;
• Provide a technical secretariat service to NEA standing technical committees where input from the radiological protection area is needed. In addition to the Committee on Radiological Protection and Public Health (CRPPH), these include e.g., the Committee on Nuclear Regulatory Activities (CNRA), the Committee on the Safety of Nuclear Installations (CSNI), the Radioactive Waste Management Committee (RWMC), the Committee on Decommissioning and Legacy Management (CDLM).

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;
• Ensure close co-ordination with the other units of the NEA and cross-cutting areas with OECD Directorates as and when required;
• 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 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 radiological protection experts;

• Maintain necessary co-ordination and, as appropriate, close co-operation with other international organisations active in the field of radiological protection (science, regulation, practices).

Miscellaneous

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

Ideal Candidate profile

Academic Background

• An advanced university degree in a relevant field such as radiological protection, physics, engineering, chemistry, biology/human health sciences, or equivalent qualifications or professional training.

Professional Background

• At least three, preferably five to seven years of professional experience in radiological protection relevant to nuclear and non-nuclear areas, including research and expertise, regulatory and implementation aspects, emergency management, communication and participatory process and occupational exposure.
• Proven experience in interacting with national and international experts, regulatory authorities, TSOs, and research institutions and the general public for understanding and developing consensus on conflicting viewpoints and for setting priorities in a work plan.
• Experience working in a governmental organisation, regulatory body, or technical support organisation would be an asset, as well as experience working within areas where radiological protection is implemented (e.g., nuclear or non-nuclear industries, medical areas).
• Experience working as part of a team and demonstrated abilitity to cooperate cross-disciplinary in a multi-cultural environment.

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.

Core competencies

• For this role, the following competencies would be particularly important\: Achievement focus, Analytical thinking, Drafting skills, Flexible thinking, Managing resources, Teamwork and Team leadership, Diplomatic sensitivity,  Strategic networking, Strategic thinking
• 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 salary starting from 6,672 EUR, plus allowances based on eligibility, exempt of French income tax.

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The OECD is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes the applications of all qualified candidates who are nationals of OECD member countries or NEA 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 in order to improve its efficiency and effectiveness. Staff members are encouraged to actively contribute to this goal.