Company Description

THE OECD – Who we are, what we do

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is an international organisation comprised of 38 member countries, whose mission is to build better policies for better lives. We 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 to establish evidence-based international standards, and finding solutions to a broad range of social, economic, and environmental challenges, from the improvement of 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

The Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) is an intergovernmental agency which operates under the framework of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). NEA leads co-ordinated, innovative, international action with respect to the OECD’s work on nuclear energy. The Agency implements the priorities of the Programme of Work and Budget (PWB) set by Member Countries and the Secretary-General in its area of business. The mission of the NEA is to assist its 34 member countries in maintaining and further developing, through international cooperation, 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 Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) is working across a broad range of policy areas, and its mission is delivered by nine divisions focusing on nuclear safety, technology, science, related environmental and economic matters and law. The Agency the focal point for the OECD’s work on radiological protection and human aspects of nuclear safety, both international and domestic. Nuclear safety is one of the prerequisites to the use of nuclear energy and therefore one of the key activities of the NEA. In particular, the NEA is very active in areas related to radiological protection and public health and the highly important stakeholder engagement efforts needed to support effective oversite associated with nuclear technologies and materials.

Job Description

THE POSITION

The NEA is looking for a dynamic and visionary Head of Radiological Protection and Human Aspects of Nuclear Safety Division to provide leadership and strategic direction to NEA. As a key member of the Senior Management team of the Organisation, s/he will provide intellectual leadership and ensure that the OECD is at the forefront of global economic policy thinking. Key activities across these areas of focus include lead a small and diverse team of experts who will operate in association with several NEA standing technical committees to integrate the Agency’s work in areas such as stakeholder engagement, safety culture, and human and organizational factor work and lead its efforts in radiological protection and public health.  S/he will work under the supervision of NEA Director-General and will work closely with the senior leadership team and the heads of other NEA Divisions to achieve the overall objectives of the Agency as well as contributing to the advancement of the Strategic Orientations established by the OECD Secretary-General.

The breath and the complexity of the policy issues for which NEA is responsible requires an experienced senior executive with an excellent understanding of radiological protection and public health issues, political processes, and effective institutional settings. S/he thrives in a fast paced, multidisciplinary work environment, is an innovative strategic thinker with political sensitivity. Finally, s/he has a proven track record of managing and delivering a complex Programme of Work and Budget, as well as managing large and diverse international teams, while maintaining a wide and effective professional network.

Main Responsibilities

Leadership

• Support the implementation of the Organisation’s Programme of Work and Budget (PWB) and the advancement of the strategic outcomes, in particular as they relate to Radiological Protection and Human Aspects of Nuclear Safety.
• Support the Office of the Secretary-General, the OECD Sherpa, and their respective teams on targeted policy advice and on the Organisation’s contributions in the area of Nuclear Energy and Safety, including to the G20 and G7.
• Contribute to ensuring the global impact of the OECD Nuclear Energy work, including through increased engagement with key partners, and in line with the global relations strategy of the OECD. Provide strategic input to the preparation and execution of a rich programme of work in the areas assigned to the Division of Radiological Protection and Human Aspects of Nuclear Safety and implement the relevant sectorial goals and objectives identified in the NEA Strategic Plan. 
• Provide support and advice to NEA Management on issues related to the areas of competence of the Division and its committees and working groups.

Representation and Liaison

• Represent the Directorate and the Organisation at internal and external meetings, establishing close contacts and active collaboration with a wide range of colleagues, stakeholders and partners to achieve maximum effectiveness and efficiency.
• Establish and maintain a network of relationships with other international organisations, national authorities, academia and research institutes.
• Actively contribute to the effective dissemination of the work of the Division through the media, professional networks, academia, and other communities.
• Provide full technical and management support to the NEA Committee on Radiological Protection and Public Health (CRPPH), facilitating the execution of its rich programme of work and support the engagement of the CRPPH with other NEA committees and other international expert bodies.
• Support and facilitate assigned areas of work for several other NEA standing technical committees, particularly the Committee on Nuclear Regulatory Activities (CNRA), the Committee on the Safety of Nuclear Installations (CSNI), the Radioactive Waste Management Committee (RWMC) and the Committee on Decommission of Nuclear Installations and Legacy Management (CDLM) and establish excellent working collaborations with the other NEA staff supporting in these committees.
• Maintain effective relationships and co-ordinate relevant work with key external organisations, including the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the European Commission (EC) and other governmental and non-governmental organisations, such as the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP). Prepare documents, speeches and presentations on nuclear issues and the work of the Agency. Represent the Agency at key meetings and conferences to ensure that the work of the Agency is appropriately disseminated.

Management and Co-ordination

• Ensure effective co-ordination, collaboration and co-operation across the Organisation including with the Office of the Secretary-General and policy directorates to support and contribute to flagship corporate initiatives and horizontal projects.
• Lead and manage the staff of the Division. Set objectives and provide guidance on the goals, direction, and timing of their work; provide regular and constructive feedback on performance to motivate staff and contribute to their professional development. Develop and maintain good teamwork and ensure effective work methods and project management; implement and maintain arrangements to ensure effective internal communications within the Division.
• Build and lead a cohesive, multicultural, and multidisciplinary team, promoting excellence, inclusion and diversity.
• Adhere to and promote the highest professional standards and the ethical principles of the OECD's Code of Conduct in all internal and external matters. Ensure a caring environment where managers promote, respect and support staff in developing their full potential.
• Manage and lead an international team of professionals and support staff to high performance standards in the efficient implementation, to appropriate deadlines, of the corresponding activities in the NEA programme of work and budget, including the organisation of conferences, workshops and policy-oriented and technical publications; implementation of special projects, initiatives, and joint undertakings among interested countries; and collaborating as required with other parts of the OECD on relevant matters related.
• Ensure close co-ordination with other Divisions of the NEA, particularly divisions with which it shares a secretariat role, and contribute, as appropriate, to cross-sectorial activities of the Agency. Co-ordinate, as appropriate, with other Directorates and Agencies of the OECD.

Qualifications

Ideal Candidate Profile

Academic and Professional Background

• An advanced university degree in a discipline relevant to the work of the Division, such as radiological protection, public health, sociology, communications, anthropology or a related subject.
• At least 10 years of relevant working experience with assignments in areas such as radiological protection or human aspects of nuclear safety, preferably with at least some of it in an international context.  Regulatory and/or policy experience is an asset.
• Proven record of conducting relations at senior level and within a political decision-making environment. Well-established contacts with key players and stakeholders in the relevant international communities.
• Demonstrated ability to interact with senior governmental and scientific officials and to represent the Agency in high-level meetings, conferences, and other venues.
• Proven success in managing and motivating professional staff and experts in a teamwork context, ideally within a multicultural environment.
• Proven ability to write high-quality documents and to speak effectively and compellingly before high-level audiences.
• Experience in working with the international nuclear community is a distinct advantage, particularly a working knowledge and understanding of the activities of organisations such as the NEA itself, the International Atomic Energy Agency, the European Commission and the World Association of Nuclear Operators.

Communication and Languages

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

Core Competencies

Staff in Executive Leadership are expected to demonstrate behaviours aligned to six core competencies which will be assessed as part of this hiring processes at level 3: Vision and Strategy; Enable People; Ethics and Integrity; Collaboration and Horizontality; Achieve Results; Innovate and Embrace Change.

To learn more about the definitions for each competency, please refer to the OECD Core Competency Framework.   

Additional Information

Closing Date:

• This vacancy will be filled as soon as possible, and applications should reach us no later than midnight 05 December 2023 (CEST).

Contract Duration

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

Please note that our Rules and Regulations stipulate that the mandatory retirement age is 65.

What the OECD offers

• Monthly base salary starting from 11734 EUR plus allowances, based on eligibility, exempt of French income tax.
• Please note that the appointment may be made at a lower grade depending on the qualifications and professional experience of the selected applicant.

Process

All applications are screened based on the criteria for the position. 

For candidates who are screened-in, written tests and/or video-recorded interviews and panel interviews are planned for late 2023 / early 2024. A leadership assessment will also be requested by candidates in the final selection stage.

The OECD is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from 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. Our selection processes are merit-based; we strive to enhance diversity both from national and gender perspectives while running fair, transparent and competitive selection processes.

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

Learn more about what we offer and why the OECD is a great place to work.

• Browse our People Management Guidebook to learn more about all aspects relating to people at the OECD, our workplace environment and on policies supporting staff in their daily life.