Team Leader (Statistical Analysis)(P5)

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. 

The Division of Information Management (SGIM) implements state of the art methodologies and techniques for the collection, processing and analysis of a range of safeguards-relevant information, including declarations submitted by States, evaluations resulting from the analysis of samples or measurements collected during infield activities, and information from open sources, including nuclear trade-related data and satellite imagery. Staff perform data validation and complex information analysis and evaluation to support infield activities and provide key input to the State evaluation process.

Main Purpose

Reporting to the Section Head, the Team Leader (Statistical Analysis) manages and leads a team of safeguards data analysts in terms of planning, supervision and implementation of activities in the most efficient way to meet Divisional and Departmental strategic objectives. The Team Leader (Statistical Analysis) contributes to the IAEA’s overall objectives by maintaining and further developing an effective and efficient verification system through the implementation and further development of statistical methodologies for the analysis of declared data and verification measurement results and the design of safeguards approaches based on probabilistic concepts.

Role

The Team Leader (Statistical Analysis) is: (1) a manager of safeguards data analysts utilizing innovative and effective management practices to achieve objectives; (2) a specialist, providing comprehensive advice on the implementation of statistical and probabilistic methodologies; (3) an expert analyst, leading the regular review of material balance evaluations and other statistical and probabilistic studies and ensuring that the corresponding information is efficiently processed and disseminated within the Department; (4) an adviser to other team leaders, Section Head, Director and other departmental counterparts on probabilistic verification approaches, material balance evaluation as well as analytical methods and measurement techniques used for safeguards verification; and (5) a mentor providing guidance, training, and direction to team members.

Functions / Key Results Expected

Manage a team of statistical data evaluators for the timely production of high-quality material balance evaluation reports and flow and trend analyses in support of the detection of the diversion of nuclear material from declared facilities. 

Coordinate the team’s contributions to the yearly Safeguards Implementation Report (SIR) and State Evaluation Reports (SERs).

Guide the design of optimized verification schemes based on the use of statistical and probabilistic methodologies (e.g. sampling plans, random inspection (RI) schemes) and in the determination of their detection power. 

Lead the development and implementation of Near Real Time Accountancy (NRTA) systems for large plutonium Bulk Handling Facilities (BHF) as well as the statistical evaluation of their results. 

Ensure the timely production of high-quality Destructive Assay (DA) reports and the liaison with the Safeguards Office of Analytical Services (SGAS). 

Supervise the collection and analysis of Destructive Assay (DA) and Non-Destructive Assay (NDA) results and the analysis of trends over time, as well as the statistical analysis of paired data for the estimation of the operators’ and inspectors’ measurement uncertainties. 

Coordinate the review and improvement of currently applied statistical methodologies and the development and implementation of state-of-the-art methodologies. 

Serve as project manager for Member State Support Programme tasks to investigate, develop, and/or improve statistical methods, sampling procedures and strategies, quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) measures, innovative evaluation approaches, etc. 

Subject to the approval by the Board of Governors, carry out safeguards inspections and complementary accesses (CA) and provide support to in-field verification activities. Direct participation in safeguards inspections promotes a sound understanding of the needs and constraints of inspectors as well as an effective follow-up on the Section’s recommendations regarding the quality of DA sampling and NDA measurement practices. 

Participate as lecturer in conferences and training courses. 

Plan and manage the programmatic direction and the development of the team and ensure that the appropriate balance of skills and resources is maintained through training, mentoring and recruitment as well as a sound assessment of the team members' performance.

The incumbent may perform his/her work in areas involving exposure to radioactive materials. Therefore, as an Occupationally Exposed Worker, he/she must be medically cleared by VIC Medical Service and is subject to an appropriate radiation and health monitoring programme, in accordance with the IAEA's Radiation Safety Regulations.

Competencies and Expertise

Core Competencies(Competency Framework)NameDefinition  Planning and OrganizingSets 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.  CommunicationEncourages 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 ResultsSets 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.  TeamworkEncourages 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 CompetenciesNameDefinition  Analytical thinkingApplies business analytics to establish programme priorities. Makes rational judgements from the available information and analysis.  Commitment to continuous process improvementAssesses the effectiveness of functions and systems as well as current practices; streamlines standards and processes and develops innovative approaches to programme development and implementation.  Judgement/decision makingConsults 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.

Required ExpertiseFunctionNameExpertise Description   StatisticsAdvanced Statistical MethodsExtensive expertise in statistical methods applied within nuclear fuel cycle activities.   SafeguardsNuclear Fuel Cycle/Nuclear FacilitiesKnowledge of nuclear fuel cycle activities with particular emphasis on potential pathways relevant to nuclear proliferation.   SafeguardsQuality Management of Analytical MeasurementKnowledge of the determination of detection probabilities of verification schemes, the design of random verification approaches and a sound understanding of the role of these activities in the safeguards regime.   SafeguardsSafeguards InspectingUnderstanding of inspection activities, including verification, sampling and metrology.

Qualifications, Experience and Language skills

Master's Degree - Advanced university degree in statistics, physics, chemistry or nuclear engineering or related field.

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

Minimum of 10 years of experience in nuclear fuel cycle analysis and statistical methodologies applied to safeguards. 

Minimum of five years of supervisory and/or management experience.

In-depth experience in statistical analysis, in particular related to material balance evaluation, sampling methodologies, measurement error propagation, NRTA systems, the determination of the detection probabilities of verification schemes, the design of random verification approaches.

Experience in supporting inspection activities such as physical inventory verifications (PIV) and Design Information Verification (DIV), stratification and sampling plans, DA sample taking and NDA measurements.

Excellent oral and written command of English. Knowledge of other official IAEA languages (Arabic, Chinese, 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 $ 54222*, 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

Evaluation process

Appointment information