An Introduction to the IAEA

What is the IAEA?

Founded in 1957, the IAEA serves as the world´s intergovernmental forum for scientific and technical cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. Its principal objectives under its Statute are "to accelerate and enlarge the contribution of atomic energy to peace, health and prosperity throughout the world" and "ensure, so far as it is able, that assistance provided by it or at its request or under its supervision or control is not used in such a way as to further any military purpose."

The IAEA pursues these objectives by — among other things — promoting the transfer of nuclear technology and "know-how", encouraging the creation of an international culture of safety and reliability in the utilization of nuclear energy, safeguarding nuclear materials so as to ensure that they are used exclusively for peaceful purposes and disseminating information on the peaceful uses of nuclear technology.

Over 130 countries are now Members of the IAEA.

Structure and Staff of the IAEA

The structure of the IAEA is as follows: the General Conference, which is composed of representatives of all Member States and meets for a one week session every year; the Board of Governors, which normally holds five sessions each year, but has to be ready to meet at short notice at any time; and the Director General, who is the chief executive authority of the IAEA´s Secretariat. The Secretariat is charged with the responsibility of implementing the IAEA´s programme. It currently employs about 2200 scientific, technical and administrative personnel, about 900 of whom are in the Professional and higher categories.

Most staff members are stationed at the IAEA´s Headquarters in Vienna and at supporting Scientific Laboratories in Seibersdorf, near Vienna. A small number are stationed at a liaison office at United Nations Headquarters in New York and at a liaison office in Geneva. Other staff members are stationed at regional offices in Tokyo and Toronto and at the IAEA Marine Environment Laboratory in Monaco.

Staff of the IAEA

Nuclear engineers, nuclear physicists and nuclear safeguards inspectors constitute the largest groups of Professional staff members. The other scientific and technical occupational groups are comprised of engineers, biologists, agricultural scientists, physicists, marine scientists, chemists, medical doctors and mathematicians with a wider variety of specializations. The major administrative occupational groups include accountants, personnel officers, computer experts, procurement specialists, lawyers, translators, editors, project managers and librarians.

The Professional staff of the IAEA comprise a multicultural group of experts from the Member States. They carry out the functions of the IAEA by two different means. First, they contribute as individual experts. Second, they organize input from experts who are nominated by their countries to deal with specific tasks, such as preparing standards.The skills needed by the Professional staff are usually very specific to the nature of the IAEA’s work. A university degree and several years of experience are the usual minimum requirements. In most cases an appointment with the IAEA is given for a three year period which is most often extended by two years to give a normal tour of service of five years. About 40% of the staff have long term appointments. These staffing practices ensure a constant influx of new people and new ideas, while maintaining stable organization and continuity.

The work of the IAEA is carried out through six Departments (see the Organizational Chart):

• Technical Cooperation¹
• Nuclear Energy
• Nuclear Safety and Security
• Management
• Nuclear Sciences and Applications
• Safeguards

:: Main Page :: An Introduction to the IAEA :: Overview of Activities and Assignments ::
:: Requirements and Conditions for Appointment :: Conditions of Employment ::
:: How to Apply for a Position at the IAEA ::

:: Member States :: Organizational Chart ::