The Nuclear Energy Agency

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 (NEA) is an intergovernmental agency, which operates under the framework of the Organisation for Economic Co‑operation 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 co‑operation, 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 is looking for a highly experienced individual to serve in the role as Deputy Head of Division for Radioactive Waste Management and Decommissioning (RWMD).  The successful candidate will support the activities of the NEA Committee Radioactive Waste Management and Committee for Decommissioning of Nuclear Installations and Legacy Management.  S/he will work under the supervision of the Head of the Division for Radioactive Waste Management and Decommissioning and will work closely with other NEA staff to achieve the overall objectives of the Agency.

Main Responsibilities

Leadership and Strategic Direction

• Serve as Deputy Head of Division, contributing to strategic planning, management, and oversight of divisional activities.
• Provide expert leadership and input to develop medium- and long-term strategies related to radioactive waste disposal, used fuel management, facility decommissioning, Small Modular Reactor (SMR) back-end considerations, and advanced fuel cycle technologies.
• Develop programmes, approaches, and analyses that support NEA member countries in applying advanced radioactive waste technologies to achieve long-term energy, safety, and environmental objectives.

Programme Development and Committee Support

• Support the work of the Radioactive Waste Management Committee (RWMC), the Committee on Decommissioning of Nuclear Installations and Legacy Management (CDLM), and their sub-groups in delivering their Programme of Work.
• Contribute to the development of practical solutions for nuclear waste management and decommissioning challenges, including collecting country-specific data, conducting in-depth analyses, organising expert discussions, and preparing high-quality summary reports.
• Identify and advance opportunities for collaborative projects and cooperative actions in radioactive waste management and decommissioning.
• Work closely with other NEA divisions to support cross-cutting projects, publications, and events in related technical and policy areas.
• Implement joint undertakings among interested member countries to address specific radioactive waste and decommissioning issues.

International Coordination and Representation

• Maintain strong working relationships and coordinate relevant activities with key external organisations, including the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the European Commission (EC), and other governmental and non-governmental bodies such as EPRI.
• Represent the RWMD and the NEA at high-level international fora on radioactive waste and decommissioning issues, communicating NEA perspectives and activities effectively.

Facilitation of Technical Committees, Workshops, and Reports

• Provide technical and organisational support for the meetings of committees and subsidiary bodies, including expert groups and international cooperative projects. Responsibilities include guidance on the Programme of Work, meeting preparation and facilitation, and drafting of summary records.
• Provide expert contributions to the drafting, review, and editing of scientific and technical reports as well as policy-relevant documents, including coordinating contributions from external experts and consultants.
• Support cross-cutting technical and policy initiatives led by NEA standing technical committees and working groups.
• Organise scientific workshops and conferences, including logistical planning, documentation, and financial oversight.

Other Tasks

• Carry out additional tasks as assigned by the Head of Division, RWMD.

Ideal Candidate Profile

Academic Background

• Advanced university degree or equivalent experience, with specialisation in a relevant technical field such as nuclear engineering, engineering, physics, chemistry, or geology.

Professional Background

• At least eight years of experience in the nuclear sector. Experience in radioactive waste management, nuclear decommissioning and nuclear legacy would be an asset. Experience in international co-operation and work with or in international organisations is also desirable.
• Proven national level and international experience interacting with senior officials and experts from governmental organisations, regulatory authorities and research institutions. 
• Proven experience in leading a team of diverse experts.
• Strong project management skills and ability to manage simultaneously several programme of works with strict deadlines and within budget.

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 29 January 2026, 23h59 (Paris time).

Contract Duration

• 36 months fixed-term appointment.

What the OECD offers

• Monthly salary starts at 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.