Nuclear Security Officer (Physical Protection Systems)(P4) - (2025/0472 (018532))

Organization: NSNS-Nuclear Material Security Unit

Primary Location: Austria-Vienna-Vienna-IAEA Headquarters

Job Posting: 2025-09-03, 7:48:46 AM

Closing Date: 2025-09-24, 4:59:00 PM

Duration in Months: 36

Contract Type: Fixed Term - Regular

Probation Period: 1 Year

Full Competitive Recruitment: Yes

This selection exercise may be used to generate a roster of pre-approved candidates to address future staffing needs for similar functions in any of the Departments and Offices of the Organization.

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING APPLICATION DEADLINE: Please note that the closing date for submission of applications is indicated in local time as per the time zone of the applicant's location.

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 needs of its Member States related to nuclear safety and nuclear security.

The Division of Nuclear Security (NSNS) is responsible for establishing, coordinating and implementing the IAEA's nuclear security programme to protect against, detect and respond to criminal acts or acts of nuclear terrorism and threats thereof. NSNS comprises four Sections:

Nuclear Security of Materials Outside of Regulatory Control Section
Nuclear Security of Materials and Facilities Section
Information Management Section
Programme Development and International Cooperation Section

The Nuclear Security of Materials and Facilities Section (MAFA) is responsible, upon request, to assist States for activities related to implementation of the CPPNM and its Amendment and the Code of Conduct on Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources, establishing and sustaining nuclear security systems and measures for nuclear material, other radioactive material, associated facilities and associated activities being under regulatory control. These activities include developing nuclear security guidance consistent with relevant binding and non-binding international instruments, as well as assisting Member States in implementing their effective nuclear security legislative and regulatory frameworks. The Section performs assessment and provides advice through the International Physical Protection Advisory Service and expert missions, assists human resource development, including education and training through international, regional and national training courses and workshops, develops methodologies and promotes dialogue and cooperation through consultancy meetings, Coordinated Research Projects and technical meetings, and assists security upgrades.

The Nuclear Material Security Unit is responsible for performing activities related to nuclear security of nuclear material in use and storage, nuclear security of the nuclear fuel cycle and associated facilities during their lifetime, including accounting and control of nuclear material for nuclear security purposes, and the technical implementation of the CPPNM and its Amendment.

Main Purpose

Under the supervision and guidance of the Unit Head, Nuclear Material Security Unit, the Nuclear Security Officer (Physical Protection Systems) will establish and implement projects in the area of security for nuclear material and nuclear facilities for the purpose of establishing and sustaining nuclear security regimes based on threat characterization and risk informed approaches.

Role

The Nuclear Security Officer (Physical Protection Systems) is (1) a project leader, covering planning, design and delivery of projects and activities related to physical protection of nuclear material and nuclear facilities, and development and implementation of physical protection systems and measures at nuclear facilities; (2) a recognized expert in the area of physical protection, contributing expertise and knowledge to support relevant nuclear security activities, including implementation of nuclear security services and Integrated Nuclear Security Support Plans; (3) a scientific secretary to development of the nuclear security guidance and technical documents in the area of physical protection and to international scientific meetings related to physical protection, providing technical input and overseeing the preparation and editing of scientific or technical reports, manuals and proceedings; and (4) a coordinator and manager, implementing physical protection upgrades at nuclear facilities.

Functions / Key Results Expected

Develop and update nuclear security guidance and technical documents in the area of physical protection of nuclear material and nuclear facilities.
Develop systems, methodologies, procedures and training material in the area of physical protection of nuclear material and nuclear facilities.
Prepare and implement capacity building activities in the area of physical protection of nuclear material and nuclear facilities, including conduct of training, workshops, exercises and seminars.
Lead the review and assessment of physical protection designs of the nuclear facilities where the IAEA is supporting States on the security upgrades, upon their request.
Design and deliver activities related to physical protection of nuclear material and nuclear facilities as identified in the Integrated Nuclear Security Support Plans for individual Member States.
Provide expert support to Member States efforts to establish their effective national nuclear security regime, including regulatory frameworks for security of nuclear facilities, in particular nuclear power plants and research reactors.

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(Competency Framework)

Name

Definition

Communication

Communicates orally and in writing in a clear, concise and impartial manner. Takes time to listen to and understand the perspectives of others and proposes solutions.

Achieving Results

Takes initiative in defining realistic outputs and clarifying roles, responsibilities and expected results in the context of the Department/Division’s programme. Evaluates his/her results realistically, drawing conclusions from lessons learned.

Teamwork

Actively contributes to achieving team results. Supports team decisions.

Planning and Organizing

Plans and organizes his/her own work in support of achieving the team or Section’s priorities. Takes into account potential changes and proposes contingency plans.

Functional Competencies

Name

Definition

Analytical thinking

Analyses information to identify cause and effect relationships and correlations. Identifies critical elements and assesses consequences of different courses of action and proposes solutions.

Client orientation

Helps clients to analyse their needs. Seeks to understand service needs from the client’s perspective and ensure that the client’s standards are met.

Judgement/decision making

Consults with supervisor/manager and takes decisions in full compliance with the Agency’s regulations and rules. Makes decisions reflecting best practice and professional theories and standards.

Required Expertise

Function

Name

Expertise Description

Nuclear Security

National Nuclear Security Regimes

In-depth knowledge of national nuclear security regimes, regulatory practices and methodologies, international nuclear security-related legal instruments.

Management and Programme Analysis

Project Management

Proven project management skills for planning, evaluation and implementation of security related projects.

Physical Protection

Regulatory Framework

Knowledge of regulatory approaches for regulating nuclear security of materials and facilities, review and assessment of nuclear security design and evaluations.

Physical Protection

Security Management

Knowledge of the fuel cycle technologies, in particular for nuclear power plants systems important for security: Instrumentation and control, Safety, Security and Emergency systems.

Physical Protection

System Designs and Assesments

In-depth knowledge of nuclear security principles and designing of physical protection systems for nuclear facilities.

Qualifications, Experience and Language skills

Bachelor's Degree - University degree in Nuclear Engineering, Nuclear Physics or other relevant technical field with additional three years of relevant experience may be considered in lieu of advanced university degree.

Master's Degree - Advanced University degree in Nuclear Engineering, Nuclear Physics or other relevant technical field.

Minimum 7 years of relevant experience in relation to licensing, review, assessment and inspection techniques, and designing, upgrading physical protection systems and measures of nuclear facilities.
Experience in providing training in the area of nuclear security.
National or international experience in wide range of nuclear security activities.
Proven ability in implementation of security related projects for nuclear facilities, with focus on physical protection of nuclear power plants and research reactors.

Excellent oral and written command of English. Knowledge of other official IAEA languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish) is an asset.

Remuneration

The IAEA offers an attractive remuneration package including a tax-free annual net base salary starting at US $84672 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance), a variable post adjustment which currently amounts to US $ 47332*, dependency benefits, rental subsidy, education grant, relocation and repatriation expenses; Other benefits include 6 weeks' annual leave, home leave travel, pension plan and health insurance. More information on the conditions of employment can be found at: https://www.iaea.org/about/employment/professional-staff/conditions

General Information

The IAEA's paramount consideration in the recruitment of staff member is to secure employees of the highest standards of efficiency, technical competence and integrity.
Staff Members shall be selected without any unfair treatment or arbitrary distinction based on a person's race, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, disability, age, language, social origin or other similar shared characteristic or trait.
The IAEA is committed to gender equality and to promoting a diverse workforce. Applications from qualified women and candidates from developing countries are strongly encouraged.
Applicants should be aware that IAEA staff members are international civil servants and may not accept instructions from any other authority. The IAEA is committed to applying the highest ethical standards in carrying out its mandate. As part of the United Nations common system, the IAEA subscribes to the following core ethical standards (or values): Integrity, Professionalism and Respect for diversity.
The IAEA has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and the IAEA, including sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination.

Evaluation process

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the selection criteria stated in the vacancy announcement. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information. Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise, which may be followed by a competency-based interview.
Candidates under serious consideration for selection may be subject to reference and background checks as part of the recruitment process.

Appointment information

Appointment is subject to a satisfactory medical report.
Staff members may be assigned to any location.
Candidates appointed to posts in the Professional and higher categories are subject to IAEA rotation policy and their maximum tour of service shall normally be seven years.
The IAEA retains the discretion not to make any appointment to this vacancy, to make an appointment at a lower grade or with a different contract type, or to make an appointment with a modified job description or for shorter duration than indicated above.