DUTY STATION
Geneva, Switzerland
COMMENCEMENT OF DUTY
To be determined NATURE OF APPOINTMENT
Fixed-term - 1 year
Organizational Unit
Early Warning Section - Meteorological and Sectoral Services Division - Department of Science, Services and Capacity Development 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
ABOUT THE ROLE
LEADING GLOBAL EARLY WARNING TRANSFORMATION
As the United Nations system's authoritative voice on weather, climate and water, WMO plays a pivotal role in global early warning initiatives. The Scientific Officer Early Warning will provide essential technical and strategic leadership for implementing impact-based forecasting, multi-hazard warning systems, and the global Early Warnings for All (EW4All) initiative, supporting the Chief of the Early Warning Section within the Division of Meteorological and Sectoral Services.
This position offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of global early warning systems, working at the intersection of cutting-edge meteorological science, disaster risk reduction, and international cooperation to protect lives and livelihoods worldwide through comprehensive coverage by 2027.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Lead WMO's overall contribution to the UN Early Warnings for All initiative, ensuring comprehensive global coverage by 2027.
- Develop and advance innovative approaches to multi-hazard warning systems and stakeholder coordination.
- Foster and support the widest possible engagement from Member States, international and regional bodies, and non-state actors to the initiative.
- Contribute to the establishment and maintenance of prioritized work plans and associated deliverables, budget allocation and usage, and professional development.
- Provide technical oversight of normative and programmatic activities, ensuring high levels of accuracy, reporting, and alignment with institutional and normative standards.
- Support financial management of WMO regular and extrabudgetary funding as delegated, with accountability for responsible use of funds.
- Liaise with EW4All partners, ensuring WMO's contributions are consistent, of high quality and promote the best interests and visibility of the Organization and its Members through consistent internal coordination.
- Represent WMO in technical meetings and workshops, providing authoritative guidance on early warning best practices.
- Identify and support high-level engagement of WMO in various EW4All related fora and events, through preparation of summary briefs, reports, briefing notes and speeches.
- Support and promote institutional strengthening of early warning systems with robust legal frameworks that define clear roles and responsibilities across the full value cycle.
- Support and coordinate regional efforts supporting EW4All implementation.
- Identify Members' needs for support under the EW4All banner and support resource mobilization where needed.
- Develop and deliver capacity building programmes to strengthen national and regional early warning capabilities.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Master's degree or equivalent in a field relevant to the provision of early warning services. A first-level university degree with two additional years of qualifying experience will be accepted in lieu of a Master's degree.
Experience
- A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in early warning services design, delivery and monitoring.
- Good understanding of UN EW4ALL initiative and WMO programmes and bodies supporting it.
- Demonstrated experience with multi-hazard warning systems and stakeholder coordination.
Other requirements
- Understanding of disaster risk reduction frameworks and emergency response protocols.
- Knowledge of risk communication, public warning dissemination systems, and stakeholder engagement for effective warning uptake.
- Knowledge of integrating hazard warnings into comprehensive early warning services.
- Solid coordination, interpersonal and communication skills.
- Demonstrated responsibility, maturity of judgement and initiative.
- Experience organizing and managing work programmes.
- Ability to write clear and succinct reports, documents and correspondence.
- Perfect adherence to UN values and the WMO Code of Ethics.
YOUR PROFILE
Seasoned early warning professional with demonstrated leadership in designing and implementing multi-hazard warning systems. You will drive WMO’s contribution to the global Early Warnings for all initiative while building partnerships across the international disaster risk reduction community. Your technical expertise and strategic vision will be instrumental in achieving comprehensive early warning coverage worldwide by 2027.
COMPETENCIES
The Scientific Officer Early Warning must demonstrate managerial-level proficiency in the following competencies:
- Communication and Influence
- Collaboration and Team Dynamics
- Inclusive Mindset and Cultural Awareness
- Decision Making and Problem Solving
- Integrity and Accountability
- Innovation and Digital Agility
- Stakeholder Understanding and Engagement
Languages
Excellent knowledge of English (both oral and written). Knowledge of other official languages of the Organization would be an advantage.
(Note: The official languages of the Organization are Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish.) The position is funded from regular budget.
New appointments on fixed-term contract of one year or more shall be subject to an initial one-year probation period. SALARY AND ALLOWANCES
Annual net base salary on initial appointment is: US$ 84672
Annual post adjustment on initial salary is: US$ 68584 (in addition to the net base salary) 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: 5 September 2025