Section Head (INPRO)(P5)

Section Head (INPRO)(P5) – (2025/0535 (018743))

Organization

: NENP-INPRO Section

Primary Location

: Austria-Vienna-Vienna-IAEA Headquarters

Job Posting

: 2025-10-08, 12:21:32 PM

Closing Date

: 2025-10-28, 10:59:00 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 objective of the Department of Nuclear Energy (NE) is to foster the efficient and safe use of nuclear power by supporting interested Member States in: improving the performance of nuclear power plants, the nuclear fuel cycle, and the management of nuclear wastes; catalysing innovation in nuclear power and fuel cycle technologies; developing indigenous capabilities around the world for national energy planning; deploying new nuclear power plants; preserving and disseminating nuclear information and knowledge; and advancing science and industry through improved operation of research reactors.

The department has a dynamic, participative and interactive operating environment with inputs received from the Board of Governors, the General Conference, policy and decision-makers, and technical counterparts in Member States and the international development community.

The Division of Nuclear Power comprises the Nuclear Power Engineering Section (NPES), the Nuclear Infrastructure Development Section (NIDS), the International Project on Innovative Nuclear Reactors and Fuel Cycles) Section (INPRO) and the Nuclear Power Technology Development Section (NPTDS). The Division provides core engineering, technological, capacity building and management support to interested Member States in the field of nuclear power.

The INPRO Section implements and coordinates the activities of the International Project on Innovative Nuclear Reactors and Fuel Cycles. The Section assists Member States in analysis of global and regional nuclear energy scenarios, in building and assessment of sustainable national long term nuclear energy strategies, in cooperation on selected technical and institutional innovations and in fostering strategic dialogue between nuclear technology holders and users on these subjects.

Main Purpose

Reporting to the Division Director, as a manager and team leader, the Section Head plans, initiates, implements, guides, coordinates, and supervises the IAEA’s programme activities concerning INPRO.

Role

The Section Head is: (1) a manager and team leader responsible for the effective development and implementation of the Section’s activities; (2) a coordinator responsible for the technical support provided by the Section to the IAEA’s technical cooperation programme in the relevant fields; (3) an adviser to the Deputy Director General on INPRO programmatic, scientific, and technical issues in the relevant fields; (4) a facilitator of cooperation with other organizations and with other divisions/departments in the IAEA dealing with similar areas of work. The Section Head is responsible for the relevant administrative matters of the Section. The Section Head must understand the relevance, goals, synergies in INPRO amongst the 4 tasks and how to connect with partners in the IAEA and the Member States to leverage cooperation, avoid duplication of efforts, and build strong working relationships in INPRO and beyond.

Functions / Key Results Expected

• Plan, develop, manage, coordinate, monitor the implementation and supervise the activities of the INPRO Section in accordance with Member States’ needs and report on INPRO programmatic activities to the INPRO Steering Committee and to the Deputy Director General.
• Lead the development of global and regional nuclear energy scenarios, based on scientific-and technical analysis, that leads to a global vision of sustainable nuclear energy development in the 21st century and beyond.
• Coordinate investigation and documentation of innovations in selected nuclear energy technologies, related Research and Development (R&D) and innovative institutional arrangements with a focus on their potential to support sustainable nuclear energy development worldwide.
• Coordinate the Section’s provision of specialized technical input to technical cooperation projects through assisting Member States in developing national long-range sustainable nuclear energy strategies and related decision making through application of the INPRO Methodology, and provide technical guidance.
• Broaden and deepen knowledge of INPRO areas by organizing technical meetings, preparing work programmes, contributing to the preparation and editing of technical reports, manuals, proceedings and other publications, and organizing in-house meetings in support of the Section’s work programme.
• Contribute to an integrated delivery of activities through the coordination of international collaborative projects and promote the exchange of information on INPRO activities worldwide.
• Ensure the continued high standing and recognition of the IAEA in the technical community by representing the IAEA at national and international meetings as required.
• Establish and maintain contacts with individual technical experts at various centres and at other relevant international organizations, committees and scientific societies.
• Liaise with other IAEA divisions and with other international organizations on topics of mutual interest and provide assistance as required, in other activities of the Division and to other IAEA units on subjects of relevance to INPRO.

Competencies and Expertise

Core Competencies(Competency Framework)

NameDefinition

Planning and Organizing

Sets clearly defined objectives for himself/herself and the team or Section. Identifies and organizes deployment of resources based on assessed needs, taking into account possible changing circumstances. Monitors team’s performance in meeting the assigned deadlines and milestones.

Communication

Encourages open communication and builds consensus. Uses tact and discretion in dealing with sensitive information, and keeps staff informed of decisions and directives as appropriate.

Achieving Results

Sets realistic targets for himself/herself and for the team; ensures availability of resources and supports staff members in achieving results. Monitors progress and performance; evaluates achievements and integrates lessons learned.

Teamwork

Encourages teamwork, builds effective teams and resolves problems by creating a supportive and collaborative team spirit, remaining mindful of the need to collaborate with people outside the immediate area of responsibility.

Functional Competencies

NameDefinition

Judgement/decision making

Consults with and seeks advice at the appropriate managerial level when making complex decisions. Facilitates dialogue and development of best practice to support judgement/decision making, in full compliance with the Agency’s regulations and rules.

Leading and supervising

Serves as a role model when leading and supervising others. Provides his/her team with clear direction, promotes a dynamic working climate and empowers others. Is open to new ideas and demonstrates creativity in search of excellence.

Partnership building

Identifies interests and goals common to the Agency’s partners and its stakeholders to foster partnership building. Promotes collaboration with partners, colleagues across teams and stakeholders.

Technical/scientific credibility

Provides guidance and advice in his/her area of expertise on the application of scientific/professional methods, procedures and approaches.

Required Expertise

FunctionNameExpertise Description

Management and Programme Analysis

Guidance Development

Provide guidance/support for technical cooperation programme in the relevant fields and plan, initiate and coordinate programme related activities.

Management and Programme Analysis

Programme Management

Managing large teams and complex projects; design, monitoring and implementation of programme activities and its budget.

Nuclear Engineering

Technology for Innovative Fuel Cycles and Advanced Reactors

Knowledge of innovative technology development or R&D at a programmatic level.

Qualifications, Experience and Language skills

• Bachelor’s Degree – University degree in nuclear, mechanical or chemical engineering, reactor engineering physics, and/or nuclear process chemistry with two years of additional relevant experience may be considered in lieu of advanced university degree.
• Master’s Degree – Advanced university degree in nuclear, mechanical or chemical engineering, reactor engineering physics, and/or nuclear process chemistry.
• Minimum of 10 years of relevant working experience in innovative nuclear technology development or R&D at a programmatic level with knowledge of one or several of the INPRO Methodology areas, of which five years in a senior position with managerial experience within the context of international projects.
• Demonstrated experience in an international multidisciplinary environment.
• Demonstrated experience in projects management, including design, monitoring and implementation as well as the management of human and financial resources.
• Excellent oral and written command of English. Knowledge of other official IAEA languages (Arabic, Chinese, English, 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 $ 57269*, 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.

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