DUTY STATION
Home-based, Remote
COMMENCEMENT OF DUTY
To be determined NATURE OF APPOINTMENT
Variable (depending on needs of Department/Division)
120 working days / 7 months
Organizational Unit
Hydrological Modeling and Forecasting Section (HMF); Hydrology and Cryosphere Division; Earth Systems Data and Predictions Department (ESDP) WMO is committed to achieving diversity and a balanced workforce. Applications are welcome from qualified women and men, including those with disabilities. The statutory retirement age after 1 January 2014 is 65. Pursuant to WMO Standing Instructions, the minimum age to be eligible for consideration for vacant positions is 18, and the maximum age must enable the candidate to serve for at least the term of the contract before reaching mandatory age of separation. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Early Warning System for Flood (EWS-F) project will help advance end-to-end multi-hazard early warning systems and capacities to enable countries to take early action and reduce the impact of hydrological hazards, in particular floods. To ensure regional coordination, technical capacity and implementation of flood forecasting and early warning services in the Caribbean and Central America region, the EWS-F project seeks to engage a Coordination support consultant for flood forecasting development and capacity building.
The consultant will work under the supervision of the EWS-F Caribbean and Central America Project Manager/Officer and in close collaboration with the Caribbean and Central America NMHS focal points and WMO technical teams. Key responsibilities will include:
REGIONAL SUPPORT TO FACILITATE FLOOD WARNING SERVICE DEVELOPMENT :
- Support the engagement of countries in the Caribbean (Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados and Haiti) and Central America (Guatemala) for gathering information and data requested for the development of flood forecasting system and warning services.
- Assist technical partners in the identification of NMHSs needs to tailor flood forecasting and warning products.
- Support the liaison of Regional centers in the Caribbean to ensure accessibility of flood monitoring and forecasting technologies to be deployed to contribute with future scaling up.
- Contribute to the establishment of synergies between projects contributing to flood warning and disaster risk reduction in the Caribbean.
PREPARATION AND DELIVERY OF CAPACITY BUILDING :
- Design training modules for course on Geomatics and IT for Hydrology, Operational hydrology (modelling and forecasting), Advanced Hydrology (analysis of extreme), based on user needs.
- Develop training material (i.e. programmes, presentations, guides) for each module and support remote-learning content in three languages (Spanish, French, and English).
- Provide learner support during the remote-learning phase of the mentioned course.
- Deliver at least three weeks of in-person training, focused on practical exercises covering the three modules.
Deliverables:
1. Initial report, including description of data and sources of information available for flood forecasting services development, and a programme for the requested training courses.
2. Progress report, including update section on flood forecasting systems development in the Caribbean, and section on training curriculum and materials for the Geomatics and IT for Hydrology, Operational Hydrology, Advanced Hydrology course.
3. Final report, including - summary sections on the achievement of flood forecasting systems developed and operational capacity improved, and training courses delivered with related link to available documents (training reports, agendas, evaluations) and challenges, and recommendations for sustainability and future projects.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Advanced degree in applied hydrometeorology, early warning systems, and disaster risk managment, or related discipline.
Experience
Minimum 10 years in supporting strategies contributing to capacity building and improve hydrometeorological services.
Experience working with in developing countries is required.
Other requirements
Knowledge of hydrological modeling, flood forecasting and early warning systems.
Sense of responsibility, flexibility, maturity of judgement, initiative, originality of ideas and ability to work independently and in a team.
Ability to travel to the target countries.
Ability to write and synthesize strategic documents
Languages
Excellent knowledge of French and English (both oral and written) is required. Spanish is an asset.
(Note: The official languages of the Organization are Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish.) Proposed fee: As per WMO rules and regulations and based on experience demonstrated by the candidate
Focal point email for additional information: Luis Roberto Silva (LSilvaVara@wmo.int) Additional Information:
Applications should be made online through the WMO e-recruitment system at https://erecruit.wmo.int/public.
Do not send your application via multiple routes. Only applicants in whom WMO has a further interest will be contacted. Shortlisted candidates may be required to sit a written test and/or an interview. Date of issue of vacancy notice: