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 Office of Safeguards Analytical Services (SGAS) is responsible for the analysis of inspection samples collected in the field. Located about 45 km south of Vienna in Seibersdorf, SGAS is organized into three sections: the Nuclear Material Laboratory (NML), the Environmental Sample Laboratory (ESL) and the Coordination and Support Section (CSS). The laboratory sections conduct the screening, chemical treatment and measurement of the inspection samples. The Coordination and Support Section provides a variety of key services to the laboratories, as well as managing the network of analytical laboratories. SGAS also manages analytical and inspection activities in a dedicated On-Site Laboratory at the Rokkasho Reprocessing Plant in Japan.

Main Purpose

Reporting to the Director of SGAS, the Radiation Protection Officer (RPO) ensures that all laboratory work with radioactive material is carried out safely and securely in accordance with the IAEA Radiation Safety and Nuclear Security Regulations and that the relevant local radiation safety and security requirements of the Host Country are met.

Role

The RPO is a coordinator for oversight of safety and nuclear security at the SG Laboratories, a liaison organizing the authorizations for practices involving ionizing radiation by the IAEA Radiation Safety Regulator, providing relevant local procedures and training of staff, verifying compliance of all activities with the IAEA Radiation Safety and Nuclear Security Regulations and advising on all radiation safety, nuclear security and workplace safety related matters.

Functions / Key Results Expected

The RPO is responsible for the implementation of the laboratory radiation protection programme, and for ensuring that SGAS operations are in compliance with the established IAEA Radiation Safety and Nuclear Security Regulations and any other applicable requirements of the Host Country. The RPO will:
• Act as the laboratory point of reference for radiation protection, nuclear security and general workplace safety matters.
• Provide links between SGAS, qualified experts, the IAEA Radiation Safety and Security Regulator, the Radiation Safety Technical Service Officer, the Security Coordination Officer and other appropriate external authorities.
• Supervise the safe handling of nuclear material, radioactive sources, hazardous chemicals and the operation of radiation generating equipment.
• Control the occupational exposure of workers, trainees and members of the public.
• Be responsible for organizing/implementing the training of workers, stressing the importance of the safety culture to laboratory workers.
• Supervise the application of personal dosimetry equipment, dose rate monitoring, and the transport and storage of radioactive materials.
• Carry out evaluations of the doses received by occupationally exposed staff and conduct investigations in cases of incidents and of doses exceeding reference levels.
• Carry out, or directly supervise, emergency contingency plans in the event of an accident/incident.
• Undertake responsibilities concerning safety aspects of radioactive waste management.
• Ensure that staff involved in work with radiation sources are qualified and appropriately trained in radiation safety; and the arrangements to respond to emergencies/incidents have been established and exercised appropriately.
• Prepare, update and keep under review the laboratory radiation protection procedures/instructions for the safe use of nuclear material and radiation sources.
• Prepare applications for authorization of radiation practices, including radiological risk analyses, as well as requests for the provision of specific technical support services on radiation safety.
• Undertake laboratory audits of radiation, chemical and workplace safety.
• Liaise, as appropriate, with the local authorities of the host countries, maintaining oversight of the technical agreements achieved between them and the IAEA regarding radiation safety and nuclear security.

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.

Qualifications, Experience and Language skills

• Master’s Degree – Health Physics, Nuclear Physics, Nuclear Engineering or related discipline
• Bachelor’s Degree – University degree in Health Physics, Nuclear Physics, Nuclear Engineering or related discipline with two years of additional relevant experience may be considered in lieu of advanced university degree
• At least 7 years of professional experience in radiation protection, and at least 5 years performing the responsibilities/functions of a radiation protection officer, including the organization/operation of radiation protection programmes, performing safety analysis, emergency preparedness, training workers in radiation protection, and particularly supervising chemical laboratory activities involving open alpha emitting radionuclides and hazardous chemicals.
• Laboratory experience in the application of safety standards to radiation practices/sources.
• Excellent oral and written command of English. Knowledge of other official IAEA languages (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, German, Russian and Spanish) is an asset.

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements