Safeguards Clerk
| Charlene Blacker Safeguards Clerk |
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I was born in Cape Town, South Africa. After completing my secondary
education I attended a private Secretarial College and obtained
Pitman diplomas in Accounting, Office Practice, Shorthand and
Typing. I knew at a very young age that I would travel. My grandmother
always said that people with moles on the soles of their feet
would travel far. So, with none of my family having yet challenged
the borders of South Africa, Vienna was merely a dot on the map;
but with the music of the film "The Sound of Music" still ringing
in my ears and bells on my toes, I set my sights on Vienna and
took off.
I gained employment with the Agency in December 1979, very proud to be working for an International Organization. I became an instant celebrity back home. My first position was as secretary to the Head of the North America Section of the Division of Operations B, Department of Safeguards. My drive and high standards soon enabled me to move on to more challenging clerical work. In 1987 I was transferred to the IAEA Regional Office in Toronto and in this assignment I assisted in establishing a remote communications computer link between Toronto and the Vienna headquarters; this link was used to transmit reports on inspections carried out in North America and enhance the timeliness of report processing. In 1989 I returned to my home country, euphoric over the prospect of a new South Africa. I successfully completed a Public Relations Course at the Damelin Management School and became involved in community development work. South Africa will always be my home, but beware, Vienna does things to one. Its convenient location in Europe affords one many opportunities to travel and its beauty, charm, safety and quality of life, makes Vienna an inviting and exciting "home away from home", instead of simply a stopover en-route. It is this and many other attractions, including close friends and the multi-ethnic working environment of the Agency which drew me back to Vienna in 1992. I was offered a temporary clerical position and soon moved on to become the Senior Secretary to the Director of the Division of Operations C in the Department of Safeguards. I currently hold the position of Safeguards Clerk. I am involved in activities related to the Coordinated Technical Support Programme to the Newly Independent States; I also provide LAN Support to the Division. In 1997 I received an IAEA merit award which is awarded annually to a few staff members on the basis of initiative, consistent high quality of work, very good organizational skills and excellent contribution to the work of the Division. I am active in several staff committees in the Agency. I enjoy jazz music, pottery, summer and winter outdoor activities and am a keen volleyball and squash player. I am single and enjoy, among others, the rich social and cultural activities that Vienna has to offer. |
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