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). 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 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.  

Job Description

THE POSITION

The NEA is seeking to recruit a highly experienced Nuclear Safety Specialist whose main responsibility will be to assist the Head of Division in managing the division’s work programme in the field of safety assessment, regulatory issues and safety research. (S)he will also serve as technical support to different committees, in particular the Committee on the Safety of Nuclear Installations (CSNI), working groups or joint projects, dealing with safety assessment issues and regulation for nuclear power plants. S/he will work under the supervision of the Head of the Nuclear Safety Technology and Regulation Division.

Main Responsibilities

Deputy Head of Division – Senior Nuclear Safety Specialist

• Contribute to the development of medium and long-term strategies in the fields of nuclear safety and regulation, developing the division programme in the field of nuclear safety technology or regulation.
• Supervise staff and interns and external consultants, motivate and contribute to the professional development and performance of staff to ensure delivery of high-quality work within set deadlines and promote effective working methods, a constructive working atmosphere and good communication.
• Assist the Head of Division to support the NEA Standing Technical Committees, as well as their Bureaus, their Working Groups or their Senior Expert Groups
• Promote the continuous improvement of nuclear safety through committee activities that effectively and efficiently leverage member countries’ resources to address important regulatory issues or key challenges in the field of safety assessment and related research needs.
• Propose clear priorities for the activities of the relevant committee as well as organisation of meetings under the auspices of the committee, which involves the participation of top-level regulators and senior scientists.
• Co-ordinate the activities of the division staff in charge of the subsidiary bodies and contribute to improve the organisation and the efficiency of the division.
• Support cross-cutting technical and policy activities by providing the perspectives of the Division of Nuclear Safety Technology and Regulation to other areas of the NEA and its standing technical committees and working groups.

Project management

• Provide support to a set of technical committees, working groups and specialist meetings concerned with a wide range of areas of nuclear safety, in particular from policy, regulation and technical perspectives, especially those related to the CNRA and CSNI, with a focus on specific safety issues related to new technologies for new nuclear plants and the long-term operation of current plants.
• Provide technical support to a set of working groups and joint undertakings activities concerned with a wide range of areas related to safety issues, especially those related to plants in operation or new designs.
• Co-ordinate further development of NEA activities, with the support of NEA member countries, with regard to the safety assessment of nuclear power plants in operation and/or new projects.

Planning and co-ordination

• Plan and organise committee and working group meetings, workshops and special events, including the development of specific agendas, expected outcomes and presentation materials. Provide technical guidance and support for committee and working group decisions and actions taken during working group meetings, workshops and special events.
• Facilitate co-operation with other NEA’s standing technical committees, where appropriate.

Drafting

• Support the production of high-quality documents, such as meeting and workshop summaries, technical analysis reports and other documentation.

Representation and outreach

• Represent the NEA at conferences and international meetings, summarising relevant activities at the NEA, and provide reports on such events.
• Anticipate the implications of trends and identify the specific needs of member countries in his/her area of expertise and advise the Head of Division on how to respond.

Communication and Co-ordination

• Develop and maintain good working relationships and close contacts with national regulatory authorities, safety experts and research community representatives.
• Ensure close co-ordination with the other Units and Divisions of the NEA and cross-cutting areas with OECD Directorates as and when required.
• Maintain necessary co-ordination and, as appropriate, close co-operation with other international organisations active in the field of nuclear safety and regulation.

Qualifications

Ideal Candidate Profile

Academic and Professional Background

• An advanced university degree in nuclear engineering or applied physics, or equivalent professional training.
• At least eight, preferably ten years of professional experience concerning the safety of nuclear installations, the management of regulatory activities or in the field of safety-related research.
• Proven experience in interacting with national and international experts, regulatory authorities and safety institutions for developing consensus on nuclear safety priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to manage programme of works with strict deadlines and within budget.

Communication and Languages

• Fluency in one of the two OECD official languages (English and French) and knowledge of the other, with a commitment to reach a good working level.

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 3); Collaboration and Horizontality (Level 2); Achieve Results (Level 3); Innovate and Embrace Change (Level 3).
• To learn more about the definitions for each competency for levels 1-3, please refer to OECD Core Competencies.

Additional Information

Contract Duration

• Two-year fixed term appointment.

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

Closing Date

This vacancy will be filled as soon as possible, and applications should reach us no later than 12 May 2024, 23:59 Paris time.

Selection Process

All applications are screened based on the criteria for the position. For candidates who are screened-in, written tests and video-recorded interviews are foreseen during the second half of May / first half of June, and panel interviews are planned for the end of June 2024.

What the OECD offers

• Monthly base salary starting from 9 349 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.
• 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.

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.