Secretary of UNSCEAR, D1

Org. Setting and Reporting

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. This position is located in UNEP's Office of Science which is responsible for analyzing the state of the global environment, providing scientific advice and evidence, data analytics, statistics and intelligence to catalyze and promote international cooperation and action on the environment. The Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR), is located in Vienna, Austria. UNSCEAR is a Committee of the General Assembly, composed of 31 Member States, that keeps under review the sources of exposure to ionizing radiation, evaluates world-wide exposures and assesses the effects that such exposures may involve. The position entails providing direct scientific, technical and administrative assistance required by the Committee to accomplish its work. Under the overall supervision of the Chief Scientist and Director of the Office of Science the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:

Responsibilities

SCIENTIFIC: (1) Carry out radiation assessments in accordance with the instructions received from the Committee and in view of world-wide concerns of radiation hazards, such as fallout from nuclear weapons tests, assessments of nuclear accidents (e.g., those at Chernobyl and Fukushima), trends in exposure in medicine, and effects and risks to health from radiation exposures (e.g., to radon). (2) Co-ordinate the preparation of the annual UNSCEAR Reports submitted to the General Assembly and prepare scientifically robust technical documents which serve as basis for the substantive scientific annexes of the UNSCEAR Reports to the General Assembly on special aspects of levels and effects of radiation exposure to assess the attendant effects and risks for health and the environment. In consultation with the Committee's Bureau: • Select and engage expert scientists. • Supervise and co-ordinate their work in preparing background and technical documents for review by the Committee. • Substantiate the technical standards for conducting UNSCEAR evaluations, and the scientific consistency and validity of documents written at the request of the Committee by the Secretary, secretariat staff, consultants or experts to ensure high scientific quality of work. • Take decisions to ensure adherence to requests of the General Assembly. • Make recommendations to the Committee on scientific matters by submitting documents to the annual meetings of the Committee. • Maintain competency and knowledge in fields of specific interest to the Committee. • Establish and support expert groups to review the scientific literature, and liaise with representatives, experts, consultants about new developments. (3) Maintain and establish contacts with other scientific organizations on a world - wide basis to foster adoption of common approaches in the field of radiation assessments. (4) Attend scientific meetings related to the responsibilities of the Committee; give presentations of the Committee's evaluations and publications. TECHNICAL: • Organize annually one-or two-week sessions of the Committee; establish agenda, time-table and maintain procedures for the Committee to carry-out its work. • Brief the Chair and officers of the Committee on procedural matters; assist them in conduct of sessions. • Arrange with Conference Services the general and detailed plans and support services for the sessions. • Supervise the work of consultants and experts during the sessions to record technical decisions and plan implementation of Committee's requests. • Supervise the production of in-session documentation in accordance with established formats. • Make recommendations on policy matters and discuss them on procedural matters with the Chair of the Committee. • Prepare draft reports on work accomplished by and activities of the Committee to be submitted every year to the General Assembly. ADMINISTRATIVE: • Prepare budget in accordance with needs of Secretariat end of Committee. • Authorize and control the necessary expenditures to accomplish Secretariat work and responsibilities. • Establish schedule and control deadlines for preparation and submission of documents for production, translation and circulation. • Plan and manage Secretariat work and supervise staff. • Make requests and recommendations on personnel matters for the Secretariat. • Represent UNSCEAR and UNEP at meetings in Vienna and elsewhere, as required for technical or Programme matters. • Engage with members of the diplomatic community and governments regarding Programme of work and financial support for the UNSCEAR General Trust Fund. • Lead team members in the scientific assessment of radiation exposure and effects. •. Leads team members' efforts to collect and analyze data and provides insight to identify trends or patterns for data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation, and reporting. Ensures that everyone can discover, access, integrate, and share the data they need.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge and understanding of radiation science, including radiation exposure, radiation effects and global, regional and national assessments. Ability to identify key radiation-related issues, analyze them and contribute effectively to their resolution. Ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. Demonstrated capacity to provide innovative scientific and technical leadership by planning, developing and managing complex-related programme of work and evaluations. Strong ability to review, interpret and evaluate highly technical radiation science documents for accuracy and scientific soundness, thereby upholding the rigorous scientific reputation of the UNSCEAR Committee and UNEP. Demonstrated ability to negotiate and apply good judgment. Ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. COMMUNICATION: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. TEAMWORK: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. LEADERSHIP: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow; Empowers others to translate vision into results; Is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; Establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; Anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; Drives for change and improvement; does not accept the status quo; Shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing. JUDGEMENT/DECISION-MAKING: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; gathers relevant information before making a decision; considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization; proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; checks assumptions against facts; determines the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary.

Education

An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in radiation sciences including but not limited to radiation protection, radiation safety, epidemiology with a focus on radiation exposure, environmental radiation sciences, medical physics, public health with specialization in environmental or occupational exposures, nuclear engineering with radiation applications is required. A first level university degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in combination with two (2) additional years of relevant qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is desirable.

Job - Specific Qualification

A PhD in radiation sciences or a related field with a research and publications track record is desirable.

Work Experience

A minimum of fifteen (15) years of progressively responsible experience in scientific research and in the evaluation of levels or effects of ionizing radiation covering both scientific and managerial responsibilities is required. This experience should be firmly rooted in radiation sciences such as radiation measurements, exposure assessment, radiation biology, radioecology and/or radiation epidemiology, preferably with substantial work conducted in an international context. Extensive experience in the preparation and editorial review of complex scientific and technical texts is required. Experience in Programme and organizational management (human resources, budget, law, etc) in government, intergovernmental entities and/or United Nations, universities and research institutions or non-governmental organizations at a senior-level is required. Experience in the provision of scientific and technical advice for policy and decision makers is required. Experience working with international scientific committees, particularly with UNSCEAR, is desirable. Working experience of data analytics, statistics of environmental and related variables, application of new digital tools and data science programs is desirable. Experience in delivering highly scientific assessments is desirable. Experience in communicating to a variety of audiences, scientific data, information and knowledge is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. French is desirable. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details).

Required Languages LanguageReadingWritingListeningSpeakingEnglishUN Level IIUN Level IIUN Level IIUN Level II

Desirable Languages

LanguageReadingWritingListeningSpeakingFrenchUN Level IIUN Level IIUN Level IIUN Level II

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

• This position is temporarily available until 31 August 2026. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. • While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post. • Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station. • This temporary job opening may be limited to “internal candidates,” who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15. • Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply. Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation. • Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as "retirement." Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service. Individual Contractors and Consultants who have worked within the UN Secretariat in the last six months are ineligible to apply for or be appointed to any professional and higher temporary or fixed term positions, within six months of the end of their current or most recent service. For such positions, at least six months need to have elapsed between the end of a consultancy or individual contract and the time of application and consideration for an appointment as a staff member under the Staff Rules and Regulations of the United Nations. The requirement is not applicable when a person considered for appointment is serving or has previously served as affiliated personnel (for example as a consultant, individual contractor, intern or gratis personnel) with a specialized agency or an Office, Fund or Programme such as UNHCR, UNICEF, UNDP or UNOPS which is separately administered and funded from voluntary contributions. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary- General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. When completing the AP, ensure ALL fields, ALL professional experience and contact information are completed and up to date. This information is the basis for the hiring manager to assess your eligibility and suitability for the position and to contact you. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply on-line as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the job opening. On-line applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. In such cases, please resubmit the application, if necessary. If the problem persists, please seek technical assistance through the Inspira "Need Help?" link

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. All external candidates recruited in accordance with section ‎2.2 (a) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment without limitation and all external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2. (c) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment limited to the entity are subject to an initial probationary period of one year under a fixed-term appointment. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.