Senior Statistician

Position and Grade:	Senior Statistician (P-5)
Organizational Unit:	Nuclear Fuel Cycle Analysis Section Division of Information Management Department of Safeguards
Duty Station:	Vienna, Austria
Issue Date:	18 February 2014
Application Deadline:	10 March 2014
Type/Duration of Appointment:	Fixed term, 3 years (subject to a probationary period of 1 year)

Organizational Setting

The Department of Safeguards is the organizational hub for the implementation of IAEA safeguards. The IAEA implements nuclear verification activities for more than 180 States in accordance with their safeguards agreements. The safeguards activities are undertaken within a dynamic and technically challenging environment including advanced nuclear fuel cycle facilities and complemented by the political diversity of the countries. The Department of Safeguards consists of six Divisions: three Operations Divisions: A, B and C, for the implementation of verification activities around the world; and three Technical Divisions, (i) Division of Concepts and Planning, (ii) Division of Information Management, and (iii) Division of Technical and Scientific Services, as well as two Offices: the Office of Safeguards Analytical Services and the Office of Information and Communication Services. The Division of Information Management (SGIM) comprises four sections and provides the Department of Safeguards with data processing services, secure information distribution, information analysis and knowledge generation necessary to draw independent, impartial and soundly based safeguards conclusions.

Main purpose

As a key member of the statistical analysis team in the Section for Nuclear Fuel Cycle Analysis, the incumbent supervises the development and revision of statistical methodologies needed to meet the Divisional and Departmental strategic objectives. Under the supervision of the team leader, the incumbent essentially contributes to the IAEA's overall objective to maintain and further develop an effective and efficient verification system through the development and implementation of statistical methodologies for the analysis of declared data and verification measurement and analytical results on a facility and State level and the design of safeguards approaches, including sampling methodologies and random verification schemes, based on probabilistic concepts.

Role

The Senior Statistician is: (1) a specialist, who provides comprehensive advice on the most effective and efficient statistical and probabilistic methodologies; (2) an expert analyst, who supervises statistical and probabilistic studies as well as non-statistical mathematical studies necessary to meet the IAEA's Safeguards objectives, reviews concepts and approaches concerning their logical consistency, and performs and draws conclusions on material balance evaluations, according to the highest standard of quality; (3) a technical adviser to the team leaders, the Section Head and the Divisional Director on probabilistic verification approaches, material balance evaluations as well as analytical methods and measurement techniques used for safeguards verification; and (4) a mentor who provides guidance and training to the team members.

Partnerships

The Senior Statistician collaborates with colleagues, particularly from within the Nuclear Fuel Cycle Analysis Section and from other SGIM sections but also from other divisions in the Department, in the field of verification approaches, the evaluation of verification results and related issues; She/he advises and provides authoritative guidance to nuclear safeguards inspectors and staff of the Safeguards Analytical Laboratory (SAL) on Destructive Assay strategies and data interpretation; She/he consults with a broad range of experts on the development of statistical methodologies for the evaluation of safeguards verification results; She/he explores and promotes research and development to further advance the statistical analysis of safeguards verification data and the design of probabilistic verification approaches. The incumbent liaises with State Systems of Accounting for and Control of nuclear material (SSACs) and Regional Systems of Accounting for and Control of nuclear material (RSACs) to monitor the quality of their accountancy and measurement system and resolve issues if necessary.

Functions / Key Results Expected

Supervise and participate in the development of statistical and probabilistic methodologies (e.g. sampling plans, random inspection (RI) schemes) and in the determination of their detection power as well as non-statistical mathematical methods which are necessary to meet the IAEA's Safeguards objectives. Supervise the review and improvement of currently applied statistical methodologies and the development and implementation of state-of-the-art methodologies. As a key member of the statistical analysis team, contribute to the timely production of high quality material balance evaluation reports and flow and trend analyses in support of the detection of diversion of nuclear material from declared facilities and contribute to the yearly Safeguards Implementation Report (SIR) and the State Evaluation Reports (SER) as requested by Operation divisions. Contribute to 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. Review the mathematical and probabilistic aspects of safeguards concepts and approaches. 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 destructive analysis (DA) sampling and non-destructive assay (NDA) measurement practices. Participate as lecturer in conferences and training courses. Liaise with SSACs and RSACs regarding their accountancy and measurement system.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Professional expertise: Thorough and comprehensive knowledge of statistical methods applied to safeguards including 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 and sound understanding of their role in safeguards activities. Comprehensive knowledge of the nuclear fuel cycle with particular emphasis on potential pathways relevant to nuclear proliferation. In-depth understanding of inspection activities, including, in particular, physical inventory verifications (PIV), stratification and sampling plans, DA sample taking and NDA measurements. Interpersonal skills: Ability to exercise diplomatic and prudent judgement on sensitive issues. Ability to gain agreement and commitment from others through negotiation. Ability to work in a multicultural environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity. Ability to create an environment for open communication within and across organizational boundaries and to foster team spirit. Supervisory skills: Staff supervision: Ability to supervise staff in an impartial manner, to provide clear direction and to engage them in operational planning, to motivate them, to deal with possible conflicts, to provide regular and effective feedback and to coach them with a view to improving their performance. Result-oriented attitude: Ability to link results to strategic goals and to set realistic targets, while ensuring the availability of resources. Analytical and strategic thinking skills: Ability to develop and to apply an analytical approach and to adopt a strategic perspective, to convert organizational objectives and priorities into strategic action plans, to step back from operational issues and focus on the long-term direction of the team and to align plans accordingly. Knowledge management: Ability to create knowledge and information sharing conditions, to identify critical areas and develop methods for the management, sharing and preservation of knowledge in these areas and to encourage staff to participate in cross-training and knowledge-sharing activities. Communication skills: Ability to deliver verbal and written information in a clear and concise manner.

Education, Experience and Language Skills

Advanced university degree (or equivalent) in statistics, mathematics or related disciplines. Minimum of 10 years relevant working experience in nuclear fuel cycle analysis and statistical methodologies applied to safeguards. Supervisory experience. Fluency in written and spoken English essential. Knowledge of at least one other official IAEA language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) an asset.

Remuneration

The IAEA offers an attractive remuneration package including a tax-free annual net base salary starting at US $80 887 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance), a variable post adjustment which currently amounts to US $56 055*, dependency benefits, diplomatic status, rental subsidy, education grant, relocation and repatriation expenses; 6 weeks' annual vacation,home leave, pension plan and health insurance. How to apply to the IAEA Complete an Online Application * Subject to change without notice

Applications from qualified women and candidates from developing countries are 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. Staff members may be assigned to any location. 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. Testing may be part of the recruitment process.