Call for Proposals: Host Organization for National Hands-on Training on Ciguatoxin Analysis and Instrument Calibration

Background

Marine toxins are produced by algae or bacteria and are concentrated in contaminated seafood. Substantial increases in seafood consumption in recent years, together with globalization of the seafood trade and climate change, have increased potential exposure to these agents. While the occurrence of toxic red tides and seafood positionings have become more frequent in South-East Asian waters in recent years, most countries in the region do not have adequate capacity and human resource to analyze marine toxins.

Ciguatera fish poisoning (CFP) is the world's most common food-borne disease related to consuming contaminated finfish, with more than 20,000-50,000 cases reported each year. Ciguatoxins (CTXs) are a heat-stabile toxin produced by marine algae, such as Gambierdiscus spp., enter the food web through fish, and pass to humans. The distribution of Gambierdiscus is reported globally within tropical waters. To address the demands of Viet Nam for updating its capacity for delivering the cutting-edge analytical services to other countries in the region, we are seeking a host institution to develop and conduct a hands-on training about instrument calibration and CTX analysis by the liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LCMS) system.

Assignment

Under the overall authority of the Director of the UNESCO Multisectoral Regional Office in Bangkok and the direct supervision of the Head of the WESTPAC Office, the respective contractor in the target country shall act as a host for the delivery of national hands-on training on ciguatoxin analysis and instrument calibration, between late September 2023 and early November 2023. Specifically, the contractor will:

• Design and develop activity program and training materials;
• Purchase relevant analytical materials/chemicals for ciguatoxin analysis, ensuring an adequate supply for 15 participants;
• Advertise the training and conduct appropriate selection processes to recruit participants;
• Identify suitable expert(s) to conduct instrument calibration and arrange expert lectures and practical demonstrations of methodologies (in field or laboratory) on ciguatoxin analysis.
• Organize a three-day training workshop for 15 participants, including the provision of suitable training venue, meeting packages, laboratory equipment and chemicals for ciguatoxin analysis;
• Collect feedback and evaluation forms from the participants at the end of training workshop, and provision of the summary of such feedback and evaluation to the IOC Sub-Commission for the Western Pacific (WESTPAC)

For more information and how to submit your proposal, please click this link.^*

^{*This document will be available for a limited period of time after the closing date.}

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