Safeguards Coordination Associate (Operations and Quality)(G6)

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 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. 

Operations Divisions, and the Office for Verification in Iran, perform and document safeguards verification activities and conduct analysis and evaluations aimed at providing assurances that States comply with their nuclear safeguards commitments. These teams implement a broad range of measures, including information analysis and in-field verification, to draw soundly based safeguards conclusions for States.

Main Purpose

Reporting to the Section Head, Coordination and Support Section, the Safeguards Coordination Associate (Operations and Quality Control) provides quality control on the contents of inspection packages, ensuring that reporting procedures are adhered to, that activities are properly recorded and that statements are accurately and appropriately worded. He/she provides advice on Safeguards reporting and information products and matters to staff in the Division and collates and analyses data in order to identify corrective actions and improve future reporting performance.

Functions / Key Results Expected

The Safeguards Coordination Associate (Operations and Quality Control) is a focal point for the quality assurance and data management of Divisional information and reports related to Safeguards Agreements. They will work collaboratively with other Safeguards Coordination Associates (GS staff) within the Section to ensure timely completion of a range of tasks based on the programmatic needs of the Section and the allocation of work therein. These duties may include the following components:
• Review and revise completeness/accuracy of non-technical information in documentation and correspondence related to SG Agreements and SG reporting. Review the completeness and accuracy of inspection reports in the electronic Verification Package application (eVP). 
• Develop and maintain quality assurance reports on issues such as corrective actions and quality performance relating to inspection reporting and highlight quality and timeliness issues to Division management.
• Ensure the quality control and data accuracy of inspection / verification documentation (review documentation in SAFIRE, verify ISP information, review draft notes to file, run system quality control reports and review results, facilitate Part II of inspection reports and edit/format 90 (a)/90 (b) statements for Director’s signature). 
• Maintain and track Divisional reports on a range of verification, inspection and state level matters. Facilitate the production process of Safeguards reporting and information products, including Inspection and Complementary Access reports, State Evaluation Reports/Declarations, Safeguards Implementation Report contributions, State-level Approaches, Annual Implementation Plans.
• Establish and maintain Divisional records, files, databases and electronic information, including data related to SG Agreements, verification activities and state files (e.g. Authority Files, Design Information Files). 
• Provide administrative support for negotiations and updating of SG Agreements, monitor and report on related developments and changes, analyze data and information and liaise with stakeholders in the revision process.
• Collect information and statistics on discrepancies, anomalies and quality performance issues. Prepare summary reports for management and recommend improvements.
• Manage processing of Design Information Questionnaires (DIQs) (track and review actions, assist in preparing comments to the State, maintain status tables).
• Draft correspondence related to nuclear material accounting on exemptions, de-exemptions and terminations; and maintain and monitor recommendations and changes.
• Prepare, maintain and continuously update the divisional training schedule database. Advise and coordinate with the divisional training officer to analyze and design training implementation plans based on career development. Generate pertinent correspondence for nominations and other subject specific correspondence. 
• Provide cover to other GS staff within the Division as required.
 

Competencies and Expertise

Core Competencies(Competency Framework)NameDefinition  Planning and OrganizingPlans 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.  CommunicationCommunicates 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 ResultsTakes 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.  TeamworkActively contributes to achieving team results. Supports team decisions.

Functional CompetenciesNameDefinition  Analytical thinkingAnalyses information to identify cause and effect relationships and correlations. Identifies critical elements and assesses consequences of different courses of action and proposes solutions.  Client orientationHelps clients to analyse their needs. Seeks to understand service needs from the client’s perspective and ensure that the client’s standards are met.  Commitment to continuous process improvementPlans 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.

Required ExpertiseFunctionNameExpertise Description   Administrative SupportDocument ManagementSolid understanding (and ideally experience with) Document Management systems and procedures and the treatment of confidential and sensitive information   Administrative SupportMS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint)Working experience with MS applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Visio, Project Manager).   SafeguardsNuclear Fuel Cycle/Nuclear FacilitiesBasic understanding of the nuclear fuel cycle or other relevant scientific discipline preferably in the nuclear field

Asset ExpertiseFunctionNameExpertise Description   SafeguardsQuality ManagementHigh level of accuracy and attention to detail is critical in this role. Previous experience with quality control and / or quality assurance is an advantage.   SafeguardsSafeguards InspectingFamiliarity with sources of safeguards relevant information (e.g. State reports, AP declarations, inspections, Design Information Visits, Environmental Sampling (ES) reporting, etc.) is an advantage.   SafeguardsSafeguards System, BasicUnderstanding and/or experience with MOSAIC related applications relevant to SLA tasks an asset (e.g. SAFIRE, APS, SLDC, SGMD, SSDH, SANT)

Qualifications, Experience and Language skills

Completed secondary education.

Minimum of six years of relevant working experience, preferably in the field of safeguards inspections concepts and practices.

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

Administrative skills test to IAEA standard might be part of the selection process.

Remuneration

The IAEA offers an attractive remuneration package including a tax-free annual net base salary starting at EUR 66981 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance), 6 weeks' annual vacation, pension plan and health insurance. More information on the conditions of employment can be found at: https://www.iaea.org/about/employment/general-service-staff 

 

General Information

Evaluation process

Appointment information