UN Jobs in Vienna

Position details

• Vacancy number: 2026/0377 (222588)
• Organizational unit: SGOA-DPRK Team
• Contract type: Fixed Term - Extrabudgetary
• Duration: 36 months
• Probation period: 1 Year
• Application deadline: 2026-08-27, 11%5C:59%5C:00 PM

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

The Safeguards Technology Expert (DPRK) contributes to the IAEA's nuclear verification mission by conducting analyses using all sources of safeguards-relevant information available to the Department. These analyses are used to support the IAEA’s enhanced readiness activities for the DPRK and to support activities in the DPRK when approved by the Board of Governors. The Safeguards Technology Expert (DPRK) contributes to the development of plans and procedures for the conduct of verification and monitoring activities in the DPRK, including development and detailed planning and analysis of implementation options.

Role

The Safeguards Technology Expert (DPRK) is: (1) a safeguards technology and analysis specialist, providing subject matter expertise for the development, documentation and validation of safeguards approaches, verification measures and procedures for DPRK-related activities; (2) a cross-functional coordinator, ensuring alignment of analytical requirements, safeguards concepts, equipment capabilities and operational considerations across relevant organizational units, and integrating these into coherent procedures and readiness planning; (3) a readiness and technical support lead, contributing to the preparedness of DPRK verification activities through the validation of procedures (including exercises and training), and by providing technical input to equipment planning, instrumentation management and radiation protection arrangements.

Functions / Key Results Expected

Review, update and develop prospective safeguards procedures, working papers and guidance for all DPRK deployment scenarios and facility types, (including processes for receipt/handling of State declarations, where applicable).
Contribute to the development and documentation of prospective safeguards approaches and verification measures, ensuring alignment with safeguards policy/guidance and the IAEA’s established practice.
Coordinate with and support relevant counterparts across the Department to incorporate latest concepts, analytical requirements and equipment/measurement options into procedures.
Contribute to tabletop exercises and training modules to validate procedures and identify gaps; implement lessons learned and maintain version control.
Provide technical input to procurement/equipment planning by defining functional requirements and field-use constraints for DPRK scenarios.
Coordinate the maintenance, inventory and calibration of current DPRK Team specific equipment.
Organize and coordinate the specific radiation protection requirements/procedures for challenging and hazardous environments.

Competencies and Expertise

Core Competencies(Competency Framework)

Name	Definition
Communication	Communicates 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 Results	Takes 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.
Teamwork	Actively contributes to achieving team results. Supports team decisions.
Planning and Organizing	Plans 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.

Functional Competencies

Name	Definition
Judgement/decision making	Consults with supervisor/manager and takes decisions in full compliance with the Agency’s regulations and rules. Makes decisions reflecting best practice and professional theories and standards.
Resilience	Maintains a high level of performance when facing pressure and uncertainty. Able to remain calm and self-controlled, and to respond logically and decisively in difficult situations.
Technical/scientific credibility	Ensures that work is in compliance with internationally accepted professional standards and scientific methods. Provides scientifically/technically accepted information that is credible and reliable.

Required Expertise

Function	Name	Expertise Description
Safeguards	Nuclear Fuel Cycle/Nuclear Facilities	Knowledge of the nuclear fuel cycle, with special emphasis on nuclear proliferation pathways, proliferation indicators and trade analysis.
Management and Programme Analysis	Proliferation and Network Analysis	Ability to provide assessments on the status of nuclear programmes and proliferation activities based on analysis of all safeguards relevant information.

Qualifications, Experience and Language skills

Bachelor's Degree - University degree in a stipulated field with two years of additional relevant experience may be considered in lieu of an advanced degree.

Master's Degree - Advanced university degree in sciences (e.g. physics, chemistry), technology (e.g. nuclear, mechanical or other engineering), or in fields of relevance to international relations, non-proliferation studies and analysis.

Minimum of seven years of experience in nuclear non-proliferation, nuclear-related research or nuclear safeguards implementation.
Experience writing and editing analytical reports based on open and other sources, contributing to training programmes, and conducting engagement activities.

Excellent oral and written command of English. Knowledge of other official IAEA languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Korean, 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 $86027 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance), a variable post adjustment which currently amounts to US $ 43788*, 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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