Back Waste Safety Specialist (NSRW)(P4)

Organizational Setting

The Department of Nuclear Safety and Security (NS) formulates and implements the IAEA's nuclear safety and security programme, which encompasses the Agency's activities to protect people and the environment from radiation exposure, and responds to the safety and security related needs of its Member States.

The Division of Radiation, Transport and Waste Safety develops and maintains standards for radiation protection, radioactive waste safety, and safety in the transport of radioactive material that enable the beneficial uses of radiation to be exploited while ensuring appropriate protection of workers, the public and patients. It also assists Member States in the implementation of these standards and provides related services.
The Waste and Environmental Safety Section is responsible for the delineation of a global waste safety framework based upon the Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management, and the development and application of safety standards for the management of radioactive waste, decommissioning, remediation and environmental releases.

The Radioactive Waste and Spent Fuel Management Unit develops safety standards for the management of all types of radioactive waste and spent fuel and promotes their application among Member States, and provides the Secretariat for the Joint Convention and the Waste Safety Standards Committee (WASSC). The Unit fosters the exchange of information among Member States through the organization of meetings, conferences and dedicated projects on the management of radioactive waste, and the sharing of insights gained from advisory and peer review missions with other Member States. It provides leadership for review and training services to operators, regulators and other specialized organizations involved in the safety of radioactive waste and spent fuel management. The Unit provides technical support to a substantial number of projects supported by the IAEA's technical cooperation programme and the Asian Nuclear Safety Network, including training courses and dedicated workshops.

Main Purpose

The Waste Safety Specialist reports to the Unit Head and contributes specialised technical knowledge to the planning and implementation of the Unit’s work programme. The Waste Safety Specialist will oversee specific activities relating to the development and application of safety standards in their area of expertise.

Role

The Waste Safety Specialist is:
(1) a scientific secretary, coordinating the development of safety standards and other related documents.
(2) a technical officer and subject matter expert providing expert advice within the Agency and to Member States, including through the IAEA's technical cooperation programme.
(3) a coordinator, leading appraisal and advisory missions to Member States.
(4) a facilitator, promoting the exchange of information among specialists at international technical meetings and encouraging consensus on constructive actions that can be taken to improve the level of safety in affected Member States
(5) an analyst, maintaining an overview of the status of radioactive waste and spent fuel management in Member States and assisting counterparts to identify needs and priorities.

Functions / Key Results Expected

• Plan and lead consultancy and technical meetings to inform the development of international safety standards and other specialist IAEA publications, based on the most recent knowledge and experience in radioactive waste and spent fuel management
• Contribute to capacity building in Member States by developing training materials and organizing training events.
• Provide direct technical support to Member States regarding the application of international safety standards through national and regional technical cooperation projects, in close coordination with the responsible programme management officers in the Department of Technical Cooperation.
• Coordinate and participate in international advisory and appraisal missions to Member States aimed at baselining and improving the level of safety in radioactive waste and spent fuel management.
• Plan and implement events (e.g. conferences, technical meeting, workshops and specialised forums) to promote the exchange of information and develop consensus between affected Member States.
• Communicate the results of Member State and IAEA activities to a wider audience, including other Member States, through the preparation of papers, articles and documents for publication.
• Build and maintain strategic partnerships and alliances with Member States and other international organizations to promote the application of international safety standards

  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