Fellowships in the Office of Legal Affairs

The Agency is presently assisting Member States under four regional Technical Cooperation (TC) projects on Legislative Assistance. These projects aim to help Member States establish and strengthen their respective nuclear legal frameworks by ensuring that they comply with the fundamental requirements of the relevant international nuclear legal instruments.

In this respect, assistance has been provided in drafting national nuclear legislation, as well as the training of individuals, for example, at the Nuclear Law Institute - an annual two-week training in nuclear law. Also, the projects have provided for the holding of various national seminars and workshops.

Opportunity

To further assist Member States participating in the projects, a number of fellowships are now being offered to legal professionals, over a four month period, in the Nuclear and Treaty Law Section of the Office of Legal Affairs at IAEA Headquarters in Vienna.

Work to be undertaken during such a fellowship, includes, the preparation of a comprehensive outline of a Member State’s legislative and regulatory framework and where needed a review of the national legislation in light of the State’s international obligations and commitments. Also, a fellow would be concerned with reviewing and preparing documents related to the development and application of the relevant international nuclear legal instruments, in particular, in the areas of nuclear safety, security, safeguards and civil liability for nuclear damage

Such a fellowship, therefore, is an opportunity to receive additional training and gain hands-on practical and international nuclear law experience, under the guidance of staff of the legal office. Further, by attending various cross-cutting meetings, fellows are able to gain a better understanding of the IAEA’s work and organisation. Additionally, for States in the process of drafting their national legislation, the fellowship provides an opportunity to receive expert IAEA legal advice during this process.

Criteria

As part of the criteria for the evaluation of fellowship applications, it is essential that an individual is working in a nuclear legal capacity, primarily as a lawyer in a Governmental body, such as the Regulatory Body or relevant Ministry.

Further, experience in drafting nuclear legislation and prior knowledge of the relevant international legal instruments in the areas of nuclear safety, security and safeguards, as well as nuclear liability, would be advantageous.

Finally, since the working language of the IAEA’s legal office is English, fellows should also have good communication skills in this language.

Application

Taking into consideration the above criteria, individuals interested in such a fellowship should complete and submit to the Agency via the official channels a fellowship application form. Upon receipt at the Agency, all duly completed applications will be evaluated accordingly.

The TC projects on Legislative Assistance also support nuclear legal professionals from Member States to attend the International School of Nuclear Law (ISNL).