DUTY STATION
Geneva, Switzerland
COMMENCEMENT OF DUTY
To be determined NATURE OF APPOINTMENT
Variable (depending on needs of Department/Division)
20 days
Organizational Unit
DRR Technical Development Division (DTD), Disaster Risk Reduction, MHEWS Office and Public Services Branch (DMPS)
Services 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
Under the supervision of the Manager of CREWS SWIO project, in close collaborationa with the Scientific Officer for the Tropical Cyclone Programme, the incumbent will perform the following duties:
1. Finalize the reanalysis of Intense Tropical Cyclones (cat-3-4 equivalent on the US scale, 48 systems potentially).
2. Produce an article on the observed trend of major TCs in the South-West Indian region.
DELIVERABLES AT THE END OF THE CONTRACT:
1. RSMC La Reunion TC database and International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship (IBTrACS) updated with the reanalysed best-tracks of the cat-3 and cat-4 equivalent on the US scale tropical cyclones.
2. Paper on the observed trend of major TCs in the South-West Indian region (equivalent cat-3-4-5 on the US scale): trend, evolution of Lifetime Maximum Intensity (LMI) location, outlook published.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:
Ongoing research examines the future of tropical cyclone (TC) activity amidst global climate change. While studies indicate higher proportions of intense TCs and increased precipitation, uncertainty persists in long-term projections. Accurate numerical simulations demand reliable historical TC data for validation, lacking notably in the South-West Indian Ocean basin.
RSMC La Reunion recognized deficiencies in its cyclone database, prompting a reanalysis in 2013. Utilizing a previously unavailable database from USA enabled the reconstruction of a digital archive, incorporating satellite imagery from 1978 onwards. The decision was made to reanalyse the systems in descending order of intensity. RSMC La Reunion conducted a reanalysis of very intense TCs (cat 5 equivalent on the US Saffir Simpson scale) from 1978-1998, revealing no significant trend in their frequency. The approach reclassified 18 systems, challenging prior assumptions based on \"raw\" historical data. However, reanalysis of intense TCs (cat 3-4 equivalent on the US Saffir Simpson scale) has stalled since 2019 due to resource constraints.
The purpose of the assignment is to pursue and finalize this TC reanalysis over the Southwest Indian Ocean. This work will provide a reliable climatological database for TC activity in the context of climate change.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Meteorologist with specialty in tropical cyclone (TC)
Experience
10 years as TC analyst
Other requirements
Expertise in TC analysis (including the Dvorak Technique), excellent knowledge of the polar and geostationary satellite imagery (Vis, IR, Microwave) and thorough experience in TC best-tracking. Experience in the South West Indian Ocean would be considered an advantage.
Languages
Excellent written English. Knowledge of French would be an advantage.
(Note: The official languages of the Organization are Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish.) Additional Information:
SALARY: 620-750$ net of tax per day.
FOCAL POINT/EMAIL: Ms Anne-Claire Fontan: acfontan@wmo.int
APPLICATION: Only applicants in whom WMO has a further interest will be contacted.
Shortlisted candidates may be required to sit a written assessment and/or an interview. Date of issue of vacancy notice: