CEFAS24-01 Contract for services for assistant laboratory technician to support the Department of the Environment Water and Wastewater Laboratory in Belize, under the Ocean Country Partnership Programme (OCPP)

OCPP and The Government of Belize have identified the need to provide training to the Department of the Environment (DOE) laboratory staff to ensure the DOE can continue to fulfill its statutory duties for water quality and pollution monitoring and to meet emerging challenges.

A laboratory technician is required to provide temporary expert services to the DOE for 18 months, Monday - Friday, 08:00 - 17:00, days may vary for fieldwork and allowance will be available for some overtime each calendar month. This work is to ensure the continued effectual operation of the DOE Water Quality Lab whilst its staff undergo long-term training. These services will be generally in regard to the collection of water quality samples, testing, analysis, microplastic testing, and testing of other pollutants. The technician will also provide support in the data entry, analysis, and report writing to support the programs developed through the DOE laboratory.

The technician will be responsible for the following:

• 2.Assist in maintaining a monthly plan for the tracking and implementation of calibration of the laboratory equipment, the formulation/management of calibration solutions, and the upkeep of the equipment of the calibration logs.
• a.Maintain inventory of all equipment taking note of the calibration dates of each equipment.
• b.Support the calibration of the equipment.
• c.Take stock of reagents used in the laboratory weekly.
• d.Create a weekly inventory of the waste viles, and other used chemicals generated that are no longer usable.
• 3.Maintain relevant logs for calibration, calibration solutions, reagents, etc. used by the laboratory.
• 4.Develop and implement a sampling, preparation, and analysis work plan for the studies to determine the presence and abundance of microplastics using the Standard Operating Procedures developed by the Centre for Environment, Fisheries, and Aquaculture Science (Cefas).
• 5.Coordinate and conduct monthly water quality monitoring fieldwork to 1 of the 4 watersheds being monitored and support the DOE with effluent sampling and analysis in coordination with the Environmental Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement Unit. No driving is required, the DOE will appoint drivers as necessary.
• a.This includes obtaining quotations, requisitions, and invoices and receiving, processing, and analyzing water samples following the required methodology.
• b.The DoE will assign a driver to the technician to carry out these duties.
• 6.Prepare and undertake controlled experiments and trials to ensure Quality Assurance and Quality Control for microplastic testing, water quality monitoring, effluent monitoring, and monitoring of other pollutants.
• 7.Assist in the preparation for field sampling. This includes the cleaning, washing, and sterilizing of sample bottles and, the preparation of media