 Hello everyone. My name is Nicholas Gaspard and I'm in charge of digital communications at the IAEA. We are live from Vienna, our headquarters, and this is the second session of our series of lives where we share information about what it's like to work for the IAEA and answer some of the questions we have received during recruitment processes. You will also get the chance to ask questions during this live. Just put them in the comment box. In today's session we talk about busting the common myth that you have to have a nuclear background to work at the IAEA. I have three colleagues here with me today who don't have a nuclear background and who work in technical positions. We'll hear from them. So let me briefly introduce them. First, we have Yoshiko Yamada who has worked at the IAEA for more than two years as a safeguards analyst to provide research on safeguard strategy in order to further increase the effectiveness of the IAEA's work at safeguards. Then Buri Malili who is an enterprise resource planning manager. He works in our IT department supporting our AJA platforms. And then our AJA expert this session is Ana Dima who provides AJA advice to different departments and has been with the organization for three years. So Yoshiko let me start with you. Tell us what you did before you joined the IAEA, what you studied and how you got here. Yes. So I studied international relations at both undergraduate and graduate levels. After obtaining my graduate degrees I joined the Japanese permanent mission to the United Nations in New York and I was later reassigned to the Japanese permanent mission to the international organizations in Vienna. And in these places I supported Japan's diplomatic activities as an advisor. And I joined the agency two years ago after having a little bit of working experience in the CTVTO which is comprehensive nuclear test fund treaty organization which is located right next to our building. And so now I work as safeguards analyst in the department safeguards and because I don't have technical background I don't really analyze safeguards information but I analyze and develop safeguards policies and strategies for effective safeguards implementation. Thank you Yoshiko. Buri Malili, what about you? What did you do before you joined the IAEA? Hi everyone. So well long before that joining the IAEA, the agency I've completed my studies both my bachelor's and master's degree in public administration with a major being in human resources and along the way I've been working in field operations with UNICR and OEC so Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. And then in 2014 I joined CTVTO in Vienna, seen a lot like my colleague here. And then as of August 2019 I had the privilege to be in offered a position within the International Atomic Energy Agency and I'm currently holding the position of ERP specialist in the field of the domain of human resources mainly. My role is basically in the IT domain which I support our colleagues in HR with their activities but not only and not limited to but also our external counterparts. Thank you. Thank you. So as you've heard we have colleagues here with diplomatic profile, IT and HR profile. Anna is also one of them. Thank you, Nicolas. Well my educational background started with a master in business administration and also BA in business in Spanish and from my earliest years if I can say so I always dreamed to work for the United Nations but I've started firstly in the private sector and then I joined the United Nations Development Program in the country office and also at the headquarters location. In the past three years my career path brought me to the International Atomic Energy Agency where I currently held the position of the HR business partner and I'm delighted working for the organization and to provide the strategic advice and guidance to managers on any human resources related matters. Thank you. So as you could hear we have people with various backgrounds who come from a diplomatic sector, come from other UN agencies or the private sector. We are very much open to applicants with these backgrounds for various vacancies. Unless they specify that you need to have a nuclear background. So Burim tell me, the vacancy you applied for clearly did not specify that you need to have a nuclear background but what made you even consider the idea? Thank you, Nicolas. That's a really good question. I mean as I mentioned before also that being part of other organizations, especially for example OEC and CTBTO, with very noble and important goals and missions such as I don't know resolving conflict issues, political issues, military issues, especially with the OEC working in the field operation. When I got to first join CTBTO actually this was the first kind of interference with me and the importance like to learn more and to know that the important role of such technical organizations such as the International Atomic Agency as well and the role that they play worldwide. Despite the fact that as you mentioned I had no nuclear background, again I still got to know a lot about the noble missions and especially what intrigued me the peaceful use of the nuclear technology that it's applied in the IEA and the benefits from it, which is again a worldwide benefit for the entire planet. And obviously the desire after working for such a technical organization, the desire to work for a bigger organization which plays let's say a greater and slightly different role from my previous one was a no-brainer for me that I would like to be part of such a prestigious organization and to be part of it. And again as I mentioned with my role that I'm playing maybe it's a minor role but I still want to be part of that contribution both internally and externally. Thank you, Burim. From what I hear your role is not minor at all. But anyway let's move on to Anna. What made you think about the idea? Well, first of all, sorry, technical problems. So what actually attracted me was the inspiring and the unique mandate that also Burim touched based on that the IEA has in promoting the secure safety and peaceful use of nuclear technology. And then maybe a very minor point to add is that I was also attracted by the headquarters location here in Vienna. Vienna is at a cultural hub, a lot to offer, and also has excellent living conditions. Thank you. Yoshiko, what about you? Yes, so as I said I used to work at the Japanese Permanent Mission in New York and in Vienna. So through my work I knew that there are jobs that I could apply for or jobs that don't require technical background. And in fact when I was in the mission the people I used to work with in the secretariat were those working on external relations, protocols, HR or administration or public information. So I used to work with these people and I knew that they didn't have technical background but they did have the experience and expertise in their own field. So I thought that maybe I could also work for the agency and I could still contribute to the work of the agency with my background in international relations and experience in diplomacy. Thank you. So now I'd like to hear briefly from each of you about what has been a particularly meaningful moment in your career working here over the last few years. Anna, let's start with you. I don't think I have one meaningful moment if I can say so. Every day through my work I do meaningful things by providing the necessary advice to managers on human related matters. But also I will say that together with the team in the Human Resources Division we ensure that we secure the best candidates for the profiles that the International Atomic Energy Agency has in actually fulfilling the mandate of the IAE. Yoshiko, do you have a moment that stands up? Yes. So since I joined the mission I have been involved in an initiative started in the Department of Safeguards to provide assistance for states to strengthen their national systems of accounting for and control of nuclear material. And I have been fortunate enough to be involved in this initiative since its inception and I have been developing mechanisms, tools and systems to implement the initiative and provide needed support for states through which to strengthen the effectiveness of safeguard implementation at national as well as international level. So through working on this initiative I feel that I have a role to play to support the agency's missions and I can contribute to the international nuclear non-preparation regime at a personal level. So I think that I feel really fortunate that I am doing something meaningful every day and I cannot take this for granted. So I see values in my day-to-day work despite a lot of challenges I encounter on a daily basis. Thank you. Burin, what about you? What has been particularly meaningful for you? A bit more like similar what Anna already mentioned. I don't know. I mean working itself for the IEA it has been a meaningful moment as well. But maybe if I can just highlight maybe one important part of it, especially in the last year, year and a half during this pandemic period has been a bit challenging for everyone. And especially being part of the technical side more supporting our internal counterparts in achieving the day-to-day activities. As Anna mentioned, for example, the hiring processes and all of that. So that has been a bit of a challenge on its own. But we found a really good way how to and then kind of we realized that we can adjust and adapt to any situation and we made it work on every field. So I think that was maybe the highlighting my let's say brief one and a half year that I have been. But again, the most meaningful let's say part is still working for the agency. Thank you, Burin. My last question to all of you is not that you work here. What would you share with people outside the nuclear field about working here? Yoshiko. Yes. So just based on my experience. So just like any other organizations, there are lots of jobs that people outside the nuclear field can apply for. And although the core work of the agency might be technical, this work is and should be supported by those working on HR like our colleagues here. Administration, IT, procurement, budget management and public information and et cetera. So I should also mention that there are also lots of opportunities to study about nuclear technologies, nuclear fuel cycle and so called 3S safety, security and safeguards after joining the agency. And in fact, within the agency, we have a robust internal training program focusing on numerous topics and subjects. So in that sense, there are ways to contribute to the work of the agency and there is no reason to shy away from the opportunities here. So I hope that people can consider the agency and give it a try, especially those who have a background similar to mine. Thank you, Burin. Well, as in my past professional life, I would say working in HR, I've been asked this question quite often that I don't have the technical background. Therefore, I don't know, I will be concerned and so on and so forth. But not having a, you know, either a nuclear background or technical background, that doesn't mean that you shall not apply for a technical organization. Or for the International Autonomic Agency. Hence, having said that, you can make a great contribution still within your area of responsibility or within your field of expertise. Because on the other hand, you get to learn still more on the nuclear side or on the technical side once you've joined the organization. And as Anna also mentioned, at some point you get to work in a very diverse and multicultural environment. You get to see and to meet and to greet people from all over the world and especially working in Vienna. It's a great city and Austria, it's a great country. Therefore, I'm really, and this is the HR of, in me not kind of speaking. Therefore, I'm encouraging everyone to give it a try, look at our positions on our website. Because there are various positions which you can find yourself and give it a try to apply. Thank you. It seems like our discussion perhaps excited some people. So, Anna and I have a question from the audience for you. She's asking whether she can apply for more than one position. Thank you. Of course, you can apply for more than one position, but it's important to check the requirements of the positions and ensure that you meet all the requirements of the profile. This also doesn't mean that if you meet the minimum requirements of the profile, you are fully eligible for the position. But do check and apply the profiles we have opened on our website. Thank you. The next question is also for you. I have worked for more than 10 years in the private sector. Do I have a chance to join the IAA? What do I need previous experience in an international organization? So, the focus now is not on nuclear, but on working for us where in the UN or other international organizations. That's a very good question. Of course, we have colleagues like myself. We don't have a background or experience in the scientific or technical field. So, we actually have experiences from other sectors as well. So, please do apply, check our website, the vacancies, check the requirements as I mentioned on the profiles you are interested and do apply. And never hesitate to even write to us if you have any other questions regarding the specific vacancy openings we have in the organization. Let me just quickly share my experience on this topic. So, why have I been in the private sector for 15 years before I joined the UN? With a completely private sector experience and background, I didn't understand half the words that the UN was telling me as they were communicating with me about the hiring process. And I still got accepted at the end. So, as Anna said, look at the job description. If you meet the requirements, consider applying. We have time for one more question. It's about what benefits does the IAA offer its employees? It's a good one. The IAA offers a wide range of benefits, among which a relocation grant, education grant, six-week annual vacation, a tax-free salary, and so many others. But I would encourage you to actually check our LinkedIn page or our website page in the next couple of weeks because we're going to have a session dedicated to the benefits and entitlement in the International Atomic Energy Agency. Thank you. You answered so briefly that we have time for one more. Are there opportunities for younger applicants like recent college graduates? Of course, we have a wide range of openings for young graduates, just finished university. Also, the agency has a junior professional program with 12 member states. And additional information about the member states for which we have assigned a junior professional program can be found on our website. So please do check and apply for any job vacancies that you're interested. Thank you. Thank you all for your answers and the insights. And thank you all for watching. Thanks for joining the second session we had in our series of lives about joining the IAA. Next month, we will talk about living in Vienna and various compensations and benefits that Anna has just talked about. We'll discuss these in more detail. So you also should check out the comment box where we have useful links and you can also continue to send us questions or also topics you would like us to talk about in upcoming sessions. Thank you. See you next month.