Organizational Setting

The Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications implements the IAEA's Major Programme 2, "Nuclear Techniques for Development and Environmental Protection". This Major Programme comprises individual programmes on food and agriculture, human health, water resources, environment and radiation technologies. These programmes are supported by laboratories in Seibersdorf, Monaco and Vienna. The Major Programme's objective is to enhance the capacity of Member States to meet basic human needs and to assess and manage the marine and terrestrial environments through the use of nuclear and isotopic techniques in sustainable development programmes.

The Division of Physical and Chemical Sciences is responsible for assisting and advising Member States in research and development for the nuclear sciences, especially the physical and chemical sciences. Specifically, the Division provides support to Member States in the following fields: production of radioisotopes and radiolabelled products for applications in health care and industry; radiation source applications; research reactor utilization; applications of accelerators and nuclear instrumentation; nuclear and atomic data for applications; controlled nuclear fusion and isotope hydrology and geochemistry.

The Isotope Hydrology Section is responsible for planning and implementing the IAEA's water resources programme. The programme assists Member States in the sustainable management of all aspects of their water resources, but with a particular focus on isotope hydrology. Major activities include internationally coordinated research, global isotope monitoring, capacity building, and technical assistance to Member States to help them with the assessment, development and use of water resources. The Section also operates a well-equipped laboratory for the analysis of stable and radioactive isotopes. The laboratory trains counterparts in using analytical techniques for high-quality measurements of isotopes in water samples.

Main Purpose

The consultancy will establish an evidence-based overview of national water analysis laboratory capacity in the 36 least developed countries that are IAEA Member States, and how this capacity relates to national water policies, regulations, monitoring obligations and key water challenges. The consultant will review available policy documents, regulatory frameworks, laboratory profiles, project records and technical reports to prepare concise country reports. Each report will assess water analytical and isotope hydrology capacity, including infrastructure, methods, staffing, quality assurance, accreditation and data management, and identify key technical and scientific gaps. The analysis will also determine whether water quality testing is mandatory, recommended or insufficiently defined, and document available requirements for sample types, parameters, sampling frequency, responsible institutions and reporting arrangements.

Functions / Key Results Expected

Prepare an implementation plan outlining the methodology, information sources, country coverage, report template and assessment criteria for reviewing national water analysis laboratory capacity, policy requirements, national water priorities and relevance to related IAEA capacity-building priorities, including GloWAL where appropriate.
Compile and review available national water policies, legislation, regulations, key national water priorities, monitoring guidelines, laboratory records, project documents and other relevant sources for each least developed country included in the assessment, including applicable water quality guidelines.
Prepare one concise country report per least developed country, summarizing national laboratory infrastructure, isotope hydrology capacity, analytical methods, staffing, quality assurance arrangements, accreditation status, data management practices and key capacity gaps.
Assess and document how laboratory capacity is linked to national water policy, including whether water analysis is legally required, formally recommended or not clearly specified, and identifying available requirements for sample types, parameters, sampling frequency, responsible institutions and reporting obligations.
Develop a comparative matrix and final synthesis report highlighting country-level findings, regional and cross-country trends, evidence gaps, priority needs for scientific, human capacity and technical support, possible links to relevant IAEA activities and the added value of isotope hydrology.

Qualifications and Experience

Advanced degree (masters) in environmental science, water resources management, hydrology, hydrogeology, analytical chemistry, environmental chemistry, environmental policy.
Minimum five years of relevant professional experience in water quality monitoring, water laboratory analysis, isotope hydrology, water resources assessment, environmental policy review, laboratory capacity assessment, or related technical and regulatory work.
Demonstrated experience reviewing national policies, legislation, regulatory frameworks, monitoring programmes or institutional arrangements related to water resources management or water quality.
Experience compiling and analysing information from multiple sources and preparing structured country profiles, comparative assessments, technical reports or policy-relevant synthesis documents.
Experience working with or supporting developing countries, international organizations, technical cooperation programmes or laboratory capacity-building initiatives is considered an asset.
Good oral and written command of English. Knowledge of other official IAEA languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish) is an asset.

Remuneration

The remuneration for this consultancy is a daily fee of up to a maximum of € 250, based on qualifications and experience. In case duty travel is required within the assignment, a daily subsistence allowance (DSA) and travel costs are provided. Health coverage and pension fund are the responsibility of the incumbent.

Consultant (homebased) – Review National Laboratory Analytical Capacity in Developing countries