Radiation Protection, Health and Safety Officer(P4) - (2025/0521 (018633))

Organization: NA-Laboratory Coordination Group

Primary Location: Austria-Vienna-Vienna-IAEA Headquarters

Job Posting: 2025-09-10, 2:34:42 AM

Closing Date: 2025-09-30, 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 Sciences and Applications’ objective is to enhance the capacity of Member States to meet basic human needs and to assess and manage the marine and terrestrial environments through the use of nuclear and isotopic techniques in sustainable development programmes. This Major Programme comprises individual programmes on food and agriculture, human health, water resources, environment and radiation technologies.

These programmes are supported by eight laboratories in Seibersdorf, three in Monaco and one in Vienna. They support and implement activities that respond to the developmental needs of Member States through applied research and development, training and capacity-building, and technical and analytical services.

The operating environment is dynamic, interactive and participative with continuous inputs received from the Board of Governors, the General Conference, policy- and decision-makers, as well as counterparts in Member States and in the international development community.

Main Purpose

The Radiation Protection, Health and Safety Officer works under the direct supervision of the NA Laboratory Operations and Outreach Coordinator and reports to the Directors in Charge of the laboratories to assist them in ensuring the implementation of the IAEA Radiation Safety and Nuclear Security Regulations. The Radiation Protection, Health and Safety Officer ensures that all laboratory work with radiation sources including radioactive material is carried out safely and in accordance with the IAEA Radiation Safety and Nuclear Security Regulations and that the relevant local radiation safety requirements of the host countries are met.

The Radiation Protection, Health and Safety Officer works primarily at the NA laboratories in Seibersdorf and also provides services to NA's laboratories in Monaco and Vienna

Role

The Radiation Protection, Health and Safety Officer is a coordinator for oversight of safety and nuclear security at the NA Laboratories, a liaison organizing the authorizations for practices involving ionizing radiation by the IAEA Radiation Safety and Nuclear Security 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.

The Radiation Protection, Health and Safety Officer works independently and with a high degree of integrity in implementing the laboratory radiation protection programme. This includes planning, provision of technical guidance and reporting as well as communication and training.

Functions / Key Results Expected

Act as the NA laboratories point of reference for radiation protection, nuclear security and general workplace safety matters
Ensure the safe handling of nuclear material, radioactive sources, hazardous chemicals and the operation of radiation generating equipment
Organize and implement the training of workers, stressing the importance of the safety culture to laboratory workers
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

Liaise, as appropriate, with the local authorities of the host countries, maintaining oversight of the technical agreements 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.

Competencies and Expertise

Core Competencies(Competency Framework)

Name

Definition

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.

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.

Functional Competencies

Name

Definition

Commitment to continuous process improvement

Plans and executes activities in the context of quality and risk management and identifies opportunities for process, system and structural improvement, as well as improving current practices. Analyses processes and procedures, and proposes improvements.

Partnership building

Identifies and builds partnerships. Develops and maintains long lasting partnerships to strengthen relationships. Delivers programmatic outputs and acquires resources in support of Agency goals.

Technical/scientific credibility

Ensures that work is in compliance with internationally accepted professional standards and scientific methods. Provides scientifically/technically accepted information that is credible and reliable.

Required Expertise

Function

Name

Expertise Description

Radiation, Transport and Waste Safety

Application of Safety Standards

Radiation, Transport and Waste Safety

Operational Radiation Protection in Laboratory Environments

Familiarity with laboratory environments and the use of radiation sources including radioactive materials

Qualifications, Experience and Language skills

Master's Degree - Advanced university (or equivalent) degree in nuclear/radiation physics or health physics or nuclear engineering or a related discipline
A minimum of seven years of professional experience in radiation protection, and at least five 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 laboratory activities involving open alpha emitting radionuclides.
Laboratory experience in the application of safety standards to radiation practices/sources.
Documented extensive formal training in radiation protection and safety.
Excellent oral and written command of English. Knowledge of other official IAEA languages (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish) is an asset. Good working knowledge of German 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 $ 47501*, 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.