DUTY STATION
Home-based, Remote
COMMENCEMENT OF DUTY
20 April 2025
or as soon as possible thereafter NATURE OF APPOINTMENT
Variable (depending on needs of Department/Division)
90 working days over 4 months
Organizational Unit
WMO Representative Office for North, Central and West Africa (NCWA)
Member Services and Development Department 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. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete the term of appointment will normally be considered. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
SCOPE OF WORK:
The consultant will be responsible for:
A. System Integration & Development:
- Develop APIs and middleware to connect existing meteorological systems and platforms.
- Implement full CAP-XML compliance for automated multi-hazard alert generation.
- Enhance real-time data ingestion from NWP models (ECMWF, GFS, AROME, ICON, WRF).
- Develop GIS-powered visualization modules for displaying meteorological data dynamically.
B. Bulletin & Product Generation:
- Automate bulletin production, integrating forecast models and data sources dynamically.
- Develop multi-format outputs (SVG, PDF, NetCDF, GeoTIFF, JSON, CAP XML) for bulletin dissemination.
- Ensure bulletins dynamically adjust to different forecast scenarios.
C. Public Display & Dissemination:
- Implement public display interfaces for weather data and products at government buildings, airports, and transport hubs.
- Develop API-based integrations for external dissemination, allowing media and emergency services to access weather products.
- Expand dissemination to multi-platform alerts (social media, email, SMS, websites, mobile apps).
D. User Management & Security:
- Implement advanced user authentication and access control with role-based permissions.
- Develop a user activity tracking and logging system for auditing and compliance.
- Ensure multi-language support for the entire system.
E. Testing, Deployment, & Documentation:
- Conduct unit and integration testing of all new functionalities.
- Deploy enhancements within ANAMโs operational environment.
- Develop comprehensive user documentation and training materials.
DELIVERABLES:
A. Inception Report (Month 1 - Week 1-2)
- Mapping of missing functionalities and proposed solutions;
- Work plan, timeline, and key milestones;
- Risk assessment and mitigation strategies.
B. System Integration & Development Plan (Month 1 - Week 3-4)
- Identification of required APIs and middleware for integration;
- Strategy for real-time data ingestion from NWP models;
- Plan for GIS-based visualization and CAP-XML alert integration.
C. Prototype Development & Core System Enhancements (Month 2 - Week 1-4)
- Development of essential APIs and middleware for system interoperability;
- Initial deployment of automated bulletin generation;
- First iteration of GIS-powered visualization and multi-format product output.
D. Operational Deployment & Testing (Month 3 - Week 1-4)
- Integration of real-time forecasting data and alert dissemination system;
- Functional testing of automation workflows and alert dissemination;
- Refinements based on test results and feedback from ANAM and WMO experts.
E. Final Deployment & User Training (Month 4 - Week 1-2)
- Full system deployment with automated bulletins and multi-platform alert dissemination;
- Training sessions for ANAM staff on system functionalities;
- User manual and technical documentation.
F. Final Report & Handover (Month 4 - Week 3-4)
- Summary of completed work, system improvements, and implementation results;
- Recommendations for future enhancements and sustainability;
- Official handover to ANAM and WMO. QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Advanced degree in Meteorology or Climatology, Atmospheric Sciences, Computer Science, Geospatial Technologies, Environment, or a closely related field.
Experience
- Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in software development, specifically for meteorological or GIS-based applications.
- Experience collaborating with National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) or similar institutions involved in water and climate services.
Other requirements
TECHNICAL SKILLS:
- Demonstrated expertise in Python, Django, Wagtail, JavaScript, and API development.
- Proven experience in integrating gridded outputs from numerical weather prediction models, including ECMWF, GFS, AROME, ICON, and WRF.
- Strong background in GIS and meteorological data visualization using tools such as QGIS, ArcGIS, and web-based GIS platforms.
- Knowledge of CAP-XML, alert generation, and multi-platform dissemination (SMS, Email, Web, Mobile Apps, Social Media).
- Knowledge of standard WMO observation message formats (e.g., SYNOP, PILOT, and TEMP in TAC and BUFR formats).
- Hands-on experience with cloud-based deployments, containerization technologies (Docker, Kubernetes), and server management.
- Sound knowledge of forecasting and production tools, as well as the associated meteorological value chain
PROJECT MANAGEMENT SKILLS:
- Ability to manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously while meeting deadlines.
- Experience in drafting technical reports, system documentation, and anomaly reports.
- Experience in capacity-building, user training, and system sustainability planning.
AVAILABILITY:
- Willingness to travel to Burkina Faso for system deployment and training sessions.
- Flexibility to work outside normal business hours if necessary to meet project requirements.
Languages
Fluent in English and/or French; proficiency in both is highly desirable.
(Note: The official languages of the Organization are Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish.) NOTICE:
Interested candidates are requested to fill a Personal History Form. Additional Information:
Pay Band: D (620-750 USD per day depending on experience)
Focal point email: Pinghouinde Michel NIKIEMA, pmnikiema@wmo.int Date of issue of vacancy notice:
