The Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP) is the primary mechanism through which the IAEA delivers services to Member States. Through the TCP, the IAEA helps Members States to build, strengthen and maintain human and institutional capacities for the safe, peaceful and secure use of nuclear science and technology in support of national development priorities.
National Liaison Officers and Assistants are the principal interface between the Agency and national authorities on matters related to the planning, formulation and implementation of technical cooperation projects. NLOs are assigned to the role by their respective governments, and their functions and competencies include leadership, strategic thinking, operational management, supervision, coordination and relationship building with a wide range of stakeholders. ?
"Nuclear technologies are important to my country, as they have a direct impact on health and agriculture. As NLO, if I have a strong understanding of the IAEA and its functions, I can help expand the benefits of our relationship with the organization," explained Ms Ana Mercedes Vasquez Avalos, National Liaison Officer (NLO) of El Salvador. The same perspective was shared by 17 other delegates from the Latin American and the Caribbean region, who attended an induction workshop which aimed to acquaint new NLOs and National Liaison Assistants (NLAs) with the operations and processes of the Agency's TCP.
Organized under the aegis of an ongoing TC project1, and held in Vienna, from 5-9 October 2015, the workshop delivered a thorough briefing to 17 newcomer NLOs and NLAs on the TC programme's functions, strategy, roles and responsibilities and processes. IAEA staff delivered presentations on key issues such as the Country Programme Frameworks (CPFs), the Logical Framework Approach, programme cycle, implementation and reporting, radiation safety requirements, and financial and legal considerations.? Additionally, the Technical Divisions presented an overview of the nuclear science and technology applications under the different fields of Activity. ?The group also had the opportunity to visit the Seibersdorf laboratories where the work related to environmental protection in the diverse areas of food and agriculture, medical dosimetry, terrestrial environment and nuclear instrumentation.
The orientation workshop also provided an opportunity to instruct newly-appointed national delegates on the use of the IAEA's many web-based tools, including platforms such as PCMF, My TCPride and InTouch which enhance and facilitate communication between the Agency and NLOs.
The NLO plays a unique role in ensuring the continuing quality and performance of TC projects and, in the process, helps to enhance the benefits produced by those very same projects.
"National Liaison Officers are the bridge for the coordination of all counterparts and partner institutions at the Country-level and they ensure the necessary alignment with the national development plans. That is why this training is fundamental to provide them the necessary elements and tools to perform their duties with success," explained Luis Carlos Longoria Gandara, Director of the TC Department's Division for Latin America and the Caribbean.??
1 RLA/0/052
