Section Head (Nuclear and Treaty Law)

Job Description

Organizational Setting

The Office of Legal Affairs, which reports directly to the Director General, provides legal services of the highest possible standards to the Director General, the Secretariat and to the organs and bodies of the IAEA, as well as to Member States, regarding the implementation of the IAEA’s activities.

The Nuclear and Treaty Law Section provides legal advice and support to the Office of the Director General and the Secretariat in the areas of nuclear safety and security (including civil liability for nuclear damage), nuclear energy, nuclear applications and technical cooperation. It is also responsible for the IAEA’s depositary function as well as the IAEA’s legislative assistance programme, providing advice and training regarding legislative frameworks governing the safe and peaceful uses of nuclear energy to Member States.

Main Purpose

Reporting to the Director, the Head of the Nuclear and Treaty Law Section leads a professional team that ensures that the IAEA’s activities are conducted in accordance with the applicable rules, its Statute as well as resolutions and decisions of the Policy Making Organs. The Section Head provides authoritative legal advice and support on a wide range of issues that arise in the IAEA operations relating to the application and interpretation of all relevant legal instruments and documents and legal questions in connection with nuclear and treaty law.

Role

The Section Head is: (1) a leader and manager, providing guidance and managerial support to the team, and planning resources with a view to achieving efficient and effective results; (2) a substantive expert, leveraging knowledge and experience to assist with the IAEA’s operations; (3) a legal adviser on matters of policy, strategy, and complex cases.

Functions / Key Results Expected

• Lead and manage an effective team of professionals and staff, promoting internal and external collaboration, and ensuring through learning opportunities, work assignments and recruitment an effective balance of skills and resources.
• Supervise the Section and co-ordinate and ensure high quality of the work produced by other members in his/her Section.
• Advise on the legal aspects of nuclear safety and security, emergency preparedness and response, nuclear energy, nuclear applications, and legislative assistance and on the application and interpretation of all relevant legal instruments and documents related to the work of the Section.
• Advise on the legal aspects of the Agency’s technical co-operation activities as well as on the Agency’s depositary functions.
• Conduct surveys and analytical studies of nuclear law materials.
• Advise on the legal aspects of other Agency activities or projects under the auspices of the Agency.

Competencies and Expertise

Core Competencies

Name Definition Communication Encourages 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 Results Sets 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. Teamwork Encourages 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. Planning and Organizing Sets 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.

Functional Competencies

Name Definition Analytical thinking Applies business analytics to establish programme priorities. Makes rational judgements from the available information and analysis. Judgement/decision making Consults 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. Technical/scientific credibility Provides guidance and advice in his/her area of expertise on the application of scientific/professional methods, procedures and approaches.

Required Expertise

Function Name Expertise Description Legal Agency’s Statute, Rules of Procedures, Regulations, Practices and Precedents Knowledge of and ability to analyse and apply the IAEA Statute, Rules of Procedure, Regulations, Practices and Precedents. Legal Development of National Nuclear Law Ability to draft necessary implementing legislation in the areas of nuclear safety, nuclear security and civil liability for nuclear damage. Legal International Law Knowledge of the broad principles of public international law. Legal Legal Drafts Ability to draft clear, concise documents setting out facts and arguments in an accurate manner. Legal Nuclear Law and Treaty Knowledge of the broad principles of nuclear and treaty law. Legal Policy Development Ability to support policy development within the scope of the relevant legal framework.

Qualifications, Experience and Language skills

• Advanced university degree in law with a good academic record. Member of a national bar.
• Minimum of 10 years of professional experience encompassing the relevant areas of law in a comparable organization (such as an international organization, public sector or non-profit organization).
• Proven experience in supervisory roles, ideally leading teams of legal specialists.
• Excellent oral and written command of English. Knowledge of other official IAEA languages (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, German, Russian and Spanish) is an asset.