CONSULTANCY: Support coordination and capacity building on severe weather forecasting in Africa

DUTY STATION

Home-based, Remote

COMMENCEMENT OF DUTY

To be determined NATURE OF APPOINTMENT

Variable (depending on needs of Department/Division)
70 days of work over 9 months.

Organizational Unit

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 DMPS Scientific officer the incumbent will perform the following duties:

a) Support coordination of stakeholders enhancing weather forecasting in Africa:
- Describe the contribution of institutions, programmes, etc. to reinforce meteorological and severe weather forecasting capabilities in National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) and the Regional Specialized Meteorological Centres (RSMCs) in West and Central Africa (infrastructures, accessibility of numerical weather prediction (NWP) products, regional guidance, etc.);

- Coordinate the collaboration of stakeholders (e.g EUMETSAT/NWC SAF, Vlabs, RSMCs, NMHSs, etc) contributing to improve nowcasting capabilities in Africa, as part of Severe Weather Forecast Programme (SWFP);

- Assist in the coordination between RSMCs and NMHSs for NWP capacity development in Africa;

- Describe the capabilities and requirements to improve meteorological and warning services and propose recommendations.

b) Contribute to severe weather capacity building:
- Advise the National and Meteorological Service NMS of Cameroon on the development of RSMC capabilities for severe weather forecasting;

- Contribute to develop and deliver training on the analysis of severe weather forecasting in collaboration with the relevant RSMCs and WMO partners;

- Support RSMCs in improving the guidance and revising the training material in Africa;

- Advise NMS of Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Sao Tome & Principe, and Togo to improve weather forecasting and early warning bulletins;

- Carry out other relevant duties as required. QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Master’s degree in meteorology or closely related fields.
Experience
- Knowledge of numerical weather prediction models and rich experience in application and use of NWP outputs in weather forecasting.

- Knowledge of WMO support to improve national weather forecasting and early warning services.

- Experience (minimum 15 years) in supporting development of operational meteorology in developing countries especially in Africa.

- Knowledge of the roles and functionalities of RSMCs and their country support.
Other requirements
- Sense of responsibility, flexibility, maturity of judgement, initiative, originality of ideas and ability to work independently and in a team.

- Ability to travel to Africa.

- Ability to write and synthesize technical and scientific documents.

- Ability to prepare pedagogical training material and to deliver the training efficiently.
Languages
Excellent knowledge of French and English (both oral and written). Knowledge of other official languages of WMO would be an advantage.

(Note: The official languages of the Organization are Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish.) Additional Information:
Pay Band: (390-560 USD per day).

Focal point email for additional information: ahussain@wmo.int

APPLICATIONS: 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: