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Cross-Cutting Issues at the IAEA
Mechanisms in Place for Closer Coordination and Collaboration
Staff Report
4 June 2004
Many IAEA activities cut across more than one programmatic area, either because of the structure adopted for the Agency’s programme or because of the nature of the issues to be addressed by these activities.
- In the field of environment or environmental protection, for example, activities address a variety of issues, including monitoring and measurement of pollutants, assessment and risk analysis of potential harmful impacts on human and environmental health, and potential remediation options to reduce or mitigate exposures due to radiation or conventional pollutants.
- Quality assurance includes activities to guide the selection of a consistent set of generic quality standards throughout the Agency’s programmes and projects, along with the harmonization of the interpretation and the implementation of the standards.
- Knowledge management activities exist in all major programmes, with priorities being set in accordance with the overall objectives stemming from the Medium Term Strategy and recently formulated by GC(46)/RES/11/B on Nuclear Knowledge. Many of the Agency’s programmes, including the technical co-operation programme, have been promoting activities that are aimed at developing and sustaining the technical competence needed for applying nuclear technologies and operating nuclear facilities in Member States.
- Concerning research reactors, there are a number of activities that address present problems and concerns, and support the various international programmes and initiatives such as the Reduced Enrichment for Research and Test Reactors (RERTR) programme and return of research reactor fuel to the country of origin. They cover all aspects of safety, utilization, decommissioning, waste management and the fuel cycle.
- Cancer management includes activities to help prevent, diagnose and treat cancer. The Agency supports developing Member States to build-up capabilities in radiation therapy to cure or alleviate the life-threatening effects of cancers. To meet growing needs, "PACT" a Programme of Action for Cancer Therapy has been initiated to introduce, expand, or improve radiotherapy programs in developing countries.
Mechanisms for the required co-ordination and collaboration in planning and implementing activities in the cross-cutting areas have been established, with a clear definition of the roles, responsibilities and accountability of all staff involved. The responsibility for co-ordination in each cross-cutting area has been assigned to a staff member with recognized competence in the field. The co-ordinator, together with the managers and staff in different organizational units, defines, during the planning phase, the outcomes to be achieved, the work plan and the activities necessary for the delivery of outputs, and optimum ways and means of implementation. The mechanism also ensures monitoring of the work in progress according to the agreed work plan, and the adoption of corrective measures wherever necessary.
The assessment of the crosscutting activities will be carried out for quality and timeliness of delivery of the outputs and achievements of outcomes, periodically and at the end of the biennium. This will result in improved planning and implementation of the activities, efficient use of resources, and an effective delivery of products and services to Member States.
