Company Description

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is an international organisation comprised of 38 member countries, that works to build better policies for better lives. Our mission is to promote policies that will improve the economic and social well-being of people around the world.  Together with governments, policy makers and citizens, we work on establishing evidence-based international standards, and finding solutions to a range of social, economic, and environmental challenges. From improving economic performance and creating jobs to fostering strong education and fighting international tax evasion, we provide a unique forum and knowledge hub for data and analysis, exchange of experiences, best-practice sharing, and advice on public policies and international standard-setting.                                            

The Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) is an intergovernmental agency which operates under the framework of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). It facilitates co-operation among countries with advanced nuclear technology infrastructures to seek excellence in nuclear safety, technology, science, related environmental and economic matters and law. The mission of the NEA is to assist its 34 member countries in maintaining and further developing, through international co-operation, the scientific, technological, and legal bases required for a safe, environmentally sound, and economical use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. It strives to provide authoritative assessments and to forge common understandings on key issues as input to government decisions on nuclear technology policies.  

The NEA Division of Radiological Protection and Human Aspects of Nuclear Safety (NEA/RP-HANS) conducts a range of activities, studies, information exchange, and technical research in co-ordination with specialists from participating countries to enhance public health, radiological protection, stakeholder engagement, education, and nuclear safety culture.

The NEA is seeking a Lead Radiological Protection Specialist to lead technical and programmatic activities in the areas of radiological protection, emergency preparedness and associated training activities. 

The successful candidate will carry out, under the supervision of the Head of Division and in collaboration with senior professional staff, various scientific, technical, and policy-related activities in support of the NEA programme of work in the areas of radiation protection and nuclear emergency management. S/he will support the Committee on Radiation Protection and Public Health (CRPPH) as scientific secretary, and its working groups, in areas relevant to the nuclear fuel cycle, including regulatory aspects, environmental radiological protection, emergency management and occupational radiological protection. S/he will report directly to the Head of Division and provide support to the NEA Director-General and Deputy Director-General.

Job Description

Scientific and Technical Support to NEA Policies

• Serve as a senior-level expert in radiation protection, providing expert advice and analysis to the Head of Division, the Director-General, and other elements of NEA leadership.
• Provide technical and organisational guidance, under the management of the Head of Division, for RP staff, RP projects, and projects in the CRPPH programme of work.
• Contribute to and co-ordinate the work of outside experts and consultants in drafting of scientific and technical reports, and policy relevant documents.
• Oversee the planning and implementation of training activities related to radiological protection.
• Organise scientific workshops and conferences, including full management of financial aspects and required documentation.
• Carry out any other tasks as assigned by NEA Management.

Support to NEA Committees, joint projects, and special activities

• Serve as scientific secretariat supporting the work of the NEA Committee on Radiation Protection and Public Health (CRPPH) and its ancillary bodies concerned with various technical and policy areas of radiation protection, and provide expert input to the work of these groups. 
• Provide proactive co-operation with other relevant NEA committees and working parties in particular the Committee on Nuclear Regulatory Activities, the Radioactive Waste Management Committee, and the Committee on Decommissioning and Legacy Management.
• Actively participate in the technical work of expert groups and assure the effective implementation of international projects.

Liaison and outreach

• Liaise and co-ordinate with other national and international technical organisations as appropriate to advance programmatic goals.
• Co-operate with and assist in, as appropriate, secretariat duties for other NEA Standing technical Committees and their ancillary bodies.
• Build or maintain relations with other international groups, including the International Atomic Energy Agency, the European Commission, other NEA or relevant OECD committees, and the International Commission on Radiological Protection ICRP. 
• Report on and present the work of the NEA in this area to external audiences.

Support the Head of Division

• Serve as support to the Head of Division, including acting for the Head of Division as requested and supporting the overall management and co-ordination of the Division under the oversight of the Head of Division.
• Assist the Head of Division in the day-to-day management of the division’s activities and priorities.
• As assigned, provide guidance and direction to professional and administrative staff in the division, as well as external consultants providing support to CRPPH working groups.
• Motivate and contribute to the professional development and performance management of staff to ensure delivery of high-quality work within set deadlines, effective working methods, a constructive working atmosphere and good communication.
• Assist the Head of the Division in setting the strategic direction for the division, consistent with the NEA’s strategic plan.

Qualifications

Academic Background

• An advanced university degree in radiation protection, physics, engineering, chemistry, biology/human sciences, or a related subject.

Professional Background

• A minimum of eight years’ experience in radiation protection relevant to nuclear energy, including regulatory aspects, environmental radiological protection, emergency management and occupational radiation protection. Experience in radiological protection issues of stakeholder involvement would be an asset.
• Experience in interacting with national and international experts, regulatory authorities and research institutions to understand and resolve conflicting viewpoints.
• Demonstrated ability to co-operate cross-disciplinary in a multi-cultural environment.

Core Competencies

• OECD staff are expected to demonstrate behaviours aligned to six core competencies which will be assessed as part of this hiring processes: Vision and Strategy (Level 3); Enable People (Level 2); Ethics and Integrity (Level 2); Collaboration and Horizontality (Level 3); Achieve Results (Level 3); Innovate and Embrace Change (Level 3).
• There are three possible levels for each competency. The level for each competency is determined according to the specific needs of each job role and its associated grade.
• To learn more about the definitions for each competency for levels 1-3, please refer to OECD Core Competencies.

Languages

• Fluency in one of the two OECD official languages (English and French) and knowledge of, or a willingness to learn, the other.

Additional Information

Closing Date

• This vacancy will be filled as soon as possible, and applications should reach us no later than midnight 09 December 2023 (CEST).

Contract Duration

• Three-year fixed term appointment, with the possibility of renewal.

What the OECD offers

• Depending on level of experience, monthly salary starts at either 9 059 EUR, plus allowances based on eligibility, exempt of French income tax.
• Please note that the appointment may be made at one grade lower in the specified job family, based on the qualifications and professional experience of the selected applicant.
• Click here to learn more about what we offer and why the OECD is a great place to work.
• Click here to browse our People Management Guidebook and learn more about all aspects relating to people at the OECD, our workplace environment and many other policies supporting staff in their daily life.

Selection Process

For retained candidates, written tests/video-recorded interviews are planned for the first half of January 2024 and panel interviews are planned for mid-January 2024.

The OECD is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes the applications of all qualified candidates who are nationals of NEA or OECD member countries, irrespective of their racial or ethnic origin, opinions or beliefs, gender, sexual orientation, health or disabilities.

The OECD promotes an optimal use of resources in order to improve its efficiency and effectiveness. Staff members are encouraged to actively contribute to this goal.