The IAEA, through its cooperation with the International Network of Emerging Nuclear Specialists (INENS), is expanding its efforts in reaching out to young professionals and emerging specialists to launch their careers in nuclear policy, science and technology.
Under the agreement, signed today, the IAEA and INENS will raise awareness of career opportunities for young professionals at the IAEA and other relevant fields of work.
The IAEA has been working to build a talent pipeline of young professionals who will carry on the Agency’s mandate in the decades to come. Starting at a young age from primary school to university graduates, the IAEA is actively pursuing engagement of young men, women, boys and girls. “This is going to enhance the IAEA’s visibility and reputation among many young professionals who had not previously considered advancing their careers here,” said Janice Dunn-Lee, IAEA Deputy Director General and Head of the Department of Management.
“As the current generation of nuclear experts retire from the field, it will be vital to interest, engage and retain the next generation in nuclear especially women and young experts from developing countries,” said Meena Singelee, Executive Director of INENS. The IAEA and INENS will jointly develop a series of videos profiling young professionals at the IAEA, in order to raise awareness of career opportunities, she added.
The IAEA and INENS will also work together to support career networking and professional development by promoting engagement between emerging specialists and established experts. They will exchange speakers, share information and best practices among emerging specialists and practitioners in the nuclear policy, science and technology areas.
The agreement adds to the IAEA’s list of practical arrangements with various universities, research institutes, governments and international organizations to boost the number of young people opting for a career in nuclear-related fields in general and at the IAEA in particular. Currently, 5% of professional staff at the IAEA staff is working in an entry level post.
The cooperation with INENS complements ongoing efforts by the IAEA to reach out to young people of different ages, including:
- Junior Professional Officer and Internship programmes: offering internship and entry-level work opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students,
- Fellowship programmes: offering training opportunities for university graduates for a period of up to one year,
- Youth in STEM: collaborative project with Vienna International School, a local Austrian school, to inform secondary level students on the diverse career opportunities available in the nuclear sector,
- Daughter’s Day and Bring Your Child to Work Day: encouraging girls and boys between the age of 11 to 16 to study nuclear-related fields.
As the current generation of nuclear experts retire from the field, it will be vital to interest, engage and retain the next generation in nuclear especially women and young experts from developing countries.
