The Nuclear Energy Agency - Head of the Data Bank

Company Description

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is an international organisation comprised of 38 member countries, that works to build better policies for better lives. Our mission is to promote policies that will improve the economic and social well-being of people around the world. Together with governments, policy makers and citizens, we work on establishing evidence-based international standards, and finding solutions to a range of social, economic and environmental challenges. From improving economic performance and creating jobs to fostering strong education and fighting international tax evasion, we provide a unique forum and knowledge hub for data and analysis, exchange of experiences, best-practice sharing, and advice on public policies and international standard-setting.

THE NUCLEAR ENERGY AGENCY

The Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) is an intergovernmental agency which operates under the framework of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). It facilitates co-operation among countries with advanced nuclear technology infrastructures to seek excellence in nuclear safety, technology, science, related environmental and economic matters and law. The mission of the NEA is to assist its 34 member countries in maintaining and further developing, through international cooperation, the scientific, technological and legal bases required for a safe, environmentally sound and economical use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. It strives to provide authoritative assessments and to forge common understandings on key issues as input to government decisions on nuclear technology policies.

The NEA Data Bank serves as a central resource for nuclear data and computer codes, which are essential tools for the analysis, modelling, and prediction of nuclear phenomena. To ensure their reliability, consistency, and scientific integrity, these data and codes undergo rigorous processes of validation and verification for use by the international scientific and technical community. The NEA Data Bank co-ordinates these activities on behalf of its member countries, drawing on expertise and input from other NEA standing technical committees - most notably the Nuclear Science Committee - to ensure coherence and alignment with broader programme objectives. Through this co-ordination, the Data Bank provides nuclear data and code users with comprehensive guidance, quality-assured resources, and best practices for their effective application. In fulfilling its mandate, the Data Bank offers a wide range of services to laboratories, universities, and industry. A substantial share of its activities directly supports the Agency's programme of work, reinforcing international collaboration, promoting scientific excellence, and contributing to the safe and efficient use of nuclear technology worldwide. The Management Board for the Development, Application and Validation of Nuclear Data and Codes (MBDAV) steers the Data Bank.

The NEA is looking for a Head for the NEA Data Bank. We are seeking a dynamic person with management experience and knowledge in the areas of nuclear data and computer codes. S/he will report to the Head of the Division of Nuclear Science and Education to achieve the overall objectives of the Agency.

Job Description

Main Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Management

• Work closely with the Head of the Division of Nuclear Science and Education to provide vision and strategic leadership for the NEA Data Bank work.
• Serve as principal advisor to the Director-General on all matters associated with Data Bank activities.
• Facilitate international co-operation in areas related to nuclear data among NEA and Data Bank member countries and key partners, including the management of Projects. Provide technical staff support for the activities of the Management Board for the Development, Application and Validation of Nuclear Data and Codes (MBDAV), and its activities.
• Develop, manage supervise and motivate a technical team of specialists, support staff, and outside experts to deliver the programme of work and develop activities to respond to member country needs and expectations.

• Apply basic artificial intellegence (AI) awareness to guide relevant projects and inform decision-making in the Agency.

• Provide mentoring to staff and technical oversight of all the Data Bank work to assure consistency and quality.

• Propose a middle and long term strategy for computing, aiming at optimising investments and constantly improving product and client service, while also taking into account security constraints and requirements.

Liaison and Outreach

• Ensure close co-ordination with the other divisions of the NEA, and bring, as appropriate, a wider perspective on the cross-sectorial activities of the Agency. In particular, provide appropriate oversight of the activities of the Divisions of Radioactive Waste Management and Decommissioning and Nuclear Safety Regulation and Technology.

• Assure the Division's effective and proactive support for horizontal activities of the Agency and for the activities of the Agency's senior leadership.

• Maintain relationships and liaise with national and international centres that collect and distribute nuclear data and computer codes. Represent the NEA Data Bank at the technical and policy level at international meetings.

• Maintain effective relationships and co-ordinate as required with other parts of and agencies linked to the OECD and other organisations, including the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the European Commission (EC) and other governmental and non-governmental organisations. Represent NEA at international conferences and meetings.

Other Tasks

• Undertake other tasks as may be required by the Head of the Division of Nuclear Science and Education or the Director-General of the NEA.

Qualifications

Ideal Candidate Profile

Academic Background

• An advanced scientific degree or equivalent experience, with specialisation in a computing or nuclear engineering field.

Professional Background

• A minimum of eight years of experience in the nuclear sector, including experience in an international context.

• A good knowledge of nuclear data, nuclear reactor or fuel cycle physics and solid experience in computer system management and computer codes.

• A good knowledge of modern computer code and data development technologies with experience managing their implementation.

• Experience in leading a team of specialists to deliver products and/or services in the fields of nuclear data and codes.

• Proven capacity to design, organise and manage projects and to advise senior management on work programme activities as well as to plan and manage a budget.

• Proven experience in data management, with a Certified Data Management Professional (CDMP) credential or equivalent qualification would be an advantage.

• Awareness of AI concepts and trends to oversee AI engineering activities and support strategic decision-making within the Agency.

Additional Information

Core Competencies

• OECD staff are expected to demonstrate behaviours aligned to six core competencies which will be assessed as part of this hiring processes: Vision and Strategy (Level 3); Enable People (Level 2); Ethics and Integrity (Level 2); Collaboration and Horizontality (Level 3); Achieve Results (Level 3); Innovate and Embrace Change (Level 3).
• To learn more about the definitions for each competency for levels 1-3, please refer to OECD Core Competencies.

Languages

• Fluency in one of the two OECD official languages (English and French) and knowledge of the other, with a commitment to reach a good working level.

Closing Date

• This vacancy should be filled as soon as possible, and applications should reach us no later than 11 December 2025, 23h59 Paris time.

Contract Duration

• 36 months fixed-term appointment.

What the OECD offers

• Monthly salary starts at 10 937.92 EUR, plus allowances based on eligibility, exempt of French income tax.

• Click here to consult the Staff Regulations applicable to officials of the OECD. Please note that from 1 July 2025, all Official appointments will be made under the OECD's new contractual modalities.

• Click here to learn more about what we offer and why the OECD is a great place to work.

• Click here to browse our People Management Guidebook and learn more about all aspects relating to people at the OECD, our workplace environment and many other policies supporting staff in their daily life.

• Please note that the appointment may be made at one grade lower in the specified job family, based on the qualifications and professional experience of the selected applicant.

• This vacancy may be used to create a pool of candidates for comparable positions, both for open-ended and fixed-term functions.

Selection Process

For retained candidates, the selection process may include a video-recorded interview, job-based assessment and panel interviews.

The OECD is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes the applications of all qualified candidates who are nationals of NEA or OECD member countries, irrespective of their racial or ethnic origin, opinions or beliefs, gender, sexual orientation, health or disabilities.

The OECD promotes an optimal use of resources in order to improve its efficiency and effectiveness. Staff members are encouraged to actively contribute to this goal.

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