Unit Head (Integrated Nuclear Security Approaches)(P5)

at  International Atomic Energy Agency

Unit Head (Integrated Nuclear Security Approaches)(P5) - (2025/0073 (018533))
Organization: NSNS-Integrated Nuclear Security Approaches Unit
Primary Location: Austria-Vienna-Vienna-IAEA Headquarters
Job Posting: 2025-01-22, 8:33:51 AM
Closing Date: 2025-02-19, 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, upon request, for establishing, coordinating and implementing the IAEA’s nuclear security programme to protect against, detect and respond to nuclear security events and threats thereof. NSNS comprises four Sections:

• Information Management Section
• Nuclear Security of Materials Outside of Regulatory Control Section
• Nuclear Security of Materials and Facilities 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 Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (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 Integrated Nuclear Security Approaches Unit is responsible for performing activities related to the International Physical Protection Advisory Service, nuclear security self-assessment, national nuclear security threat assessment, development and maintenance of design basis threats and representative threat statements, assessment and enhancement of nuclear security culture, interface between safety and security, and protection against insider threat.
Main Purpose
Under the supervision and guidance of the Section Head, Nuclear Security of Materials and Facilities Section, the Unit Head (Integrated Nuclear Security Approaches) is responsible for the coordination of the design and delivery of programme activities in cross-cutting areas of nuclear security, including nuclear security threat assessment, design basis threats and representative threat statements, nuclear security culture and interface between safety and security, within the IAEA’s nuclear security programme. The Unit Head manages the team and works with nuclear security officers to prioritize, implement and monitor Unit’s activities based on needs identified by States, including within Integrated Nuclear Security Sustainability Plans (INSSPs) and other relevant sources of information. and coordinate obtaining the relevant inputs from the other Units within the Section and Division. The Unit Head will also manage relevant technical inputs of the Unit for definition, planning and evaluation of separate projects and tasks related to the cross-cutting areas of nuclear security, assisting to develop and sustain effective technical capabilities to support Member States nuclear security infrastructure, as well as identify the means for carrying out these projects and tasks. The Unit Head is also responsible for development and review of nuclear security guidance and other technical documents, training materials and reports, and for conduct of advisory services, expert missions and training events related to cross-cutting areas of nuclear security, notably the International Physical Protection Advisory Service (IPPAS) missions. Further, he/she will coordinate provision of comprehensive technical input into the development and implementation of the States INSSPs and associated projects.
Role
Reporting to the Section Head MAFA, the Unit Head (Integrated Nuclear Security Approaches) is: (1) a technical advisor to senior managers on matters related to cross-cutting areas of security of nuclear and other radioactive material, associated facilities and associated activities; (2) a coordinator, managing planning, design and delivery of programme activities related to Units’ work, including nuclear security threat assessment, design basis threats and representative threat statements, nuclear security culture and interface between safety and security; (3) a team leader, managing the Unit’s team in accordance with relevant Agency’s policies and procedures; (4) a technical expert, identifying gaps and supporting the development of appropriate international guidance on technical topics within Unit’s areas of work, and providing technical inputs to development and implementation of INSSPs; (5) a technical officer for the relevant projects of particular technical complexity; and (6) a scientific secretary, developing nuclear security series documents, as well as other technical documents and training materials on the matters within Unit’s areas of work.
Functions / Key Results Expected
Coordinate IAEA activities related to addressing cross-cutting nuclear security topics within national nuclear security regimes, including nuclear security threat assessment, design basis threats and representative threat statements, nuclear security culture and interface between safety and security.
Develop work plans in cross-cutting areas of nuclear security for activities to support Member States in developing and sustaining their national nuclear security regimes.
Provide technical support to States in technical implementation of CPPNM and its Amendment, including through implementation of IPPAS missions upon request and sharing of the relevant information in the IPPAS database among national designated contact points.
Oversee the development of relevant guidance, including within the IAEA Nuclear Security Series of publications.
Provide technical expert assistance to Member States activities to establish effective nuclear security.
Contribute to capacity building, including development of training materials, conduct of training, workshops, exercises and seminars related to Member States nuclear security frameworks.
Analyze the input from INSSPs for the structured planning of future projects for security of nuclear material and nuclear facilities and to develop annual work plans and identify funding needs.
Contribute to the continued high standing and recognition of the IAEA by representing the IAEA at national and international meetings as required; establish and maintain contacts with relevant international organizations, initiatives, committees and scientific societies.
Plan, organize, manage and evaluate the work of the team, continuously reviewing effectiveness, focusing on priorities and driving for excellence in line with the IAEAs quality management and results-based programming approach.
Competencies and Expertise
Core Competencies(Competency Framework)

EXPERTISE DESCRIPTION

Nuclear Security

National Nuclear Security Regimes

Extensive and comprehensive knowledge in cross cutting areas in nuclear security like nuclear security culture, threat assessment, design basis threat and safety-security interface.
Physical Protection

Regulatory Framework

Comprehensive and up to date knowledge on the security of materials and facilities, IAEA nuclear security guidance, international binding and non-binding instruments in this area.
Peer Review Missions

Review and Assessment, Technical Support

Extensive and comprehensive knowledge of the review and assessment of national nuclear security regimes including IPPAS.
Qualifications, Experience and Language skills
Master’s Degree - Advanced university degree in nuclear or basic engineering, chemistry, physics or other closely related field (such as law enforcement).
Bachelor’s Degree - University degree in nuclear or basic engineering, chemistry, physics or other closely related field (such as law enforcement) with two years of additional relevant experience may be considered in lieu of advanced university degree.
Minimum of ten years of relevant professional experience, including minimum of five years of managerial experience and experience at the operational level.
Proven national experience in cross-cutting areas of nuclear security, including threat assessment, physical protection at facilities and nuclear security culture, as well as in other security related activities.
Experience in leading small teams of technical staff.
Experience in working with national and international organizations or institutes.
Good knowledge and understanding of the challenges for the implementation of IAEA’s Nuclear Security Plan are desirable.
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 $101540 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance), a variable post adjustment which currently amounts to US $ 37773*, 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.

Please refer the Job description for details