Director Infrastructure Department
JOB DETAIL
DUTY STATION
Geneva, Switzerland
COMMENCEMENT OF DUTY
To be determinedNATURE OF APPOINTMENT
Fixed-term – 2 years
Organizational Unit
Infrastructure 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
Responsible to the Executive Management (Secretary-General, Deputy Secretary-General and Assistant Secretary-General), the incumbent is accountable for the management of the Observation, Infrastructure and Information Systems Department (Infrastructure Department) of the WMO and ensures that the Department carries out its work as an integral part of the Secretariat and in close collaboration with other Departments and Regional Offices.
In the exercise of the function the Director shall:
(a) Provide vision, leadership and strategic direction in the development, integration and execution of the WMO Strategic and Operation Plans related to WMO Infrastructure Systems and contribute to the WMO Earth System approach and Members’ Capacity Development; lead and provide support to Congress, the Executive Council, regional associations, technical commissions (specifically the Commission for Observation, Infrastructure and Information Systems – hereafter WMO Infrastructure Commission) and their respective subsidiary bodies related to WMO Infrastructure Systems development and implementation;
(b) Plan, manage and direct the activities of the Department including supervision of staff and management of the budget and resources with high efficiency and effectiveness; establish and manage the Department’s annual objectives with measurable performance indicators, targets and deliverables;
(c) As a member of the senior leadership team provide strategic guidance and direction to the organization and participate with other Directors in organizational decision-making;
(d) Lead the Secretariat support to the WMO Infrastructure Commission and its subsidiary bodies to develop, for consideration by the Executive Council and Congress, proposed international standards for methods, procedures, techniques and practices in meteorology, climate and operational hydrology including, in particular, the relevant parts of the Technical Regulations, guides and manuals for the WMO infrastructure systems, mainly: WMO Integrated Global Observing System (WIGOS), WMO Information System (WIS), WMO Integrated Processing and Prediction System (WIPPS), WMO Space Programme, Observing component of Global Atmosphere Watch (GAW), WMO Hydrological Observing System (WHOS), Global Cyrosphere Watch (GCW) and Polar and High Mountain Activities, WMO-coordinated Global Greenhouse Gas Monitoring Infrastructure;, including data management; and promoting collaborations among World Meteorological Centers;
(e) As Director of the Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) Secretariat, plan, manage and direct the activities of GCOS including strategic direction, integration with WMO activities, coordination with the UNFCCC, supervision of staff, resource mobilization and management of the budget and resources;
(f) Provide strategic and administrative leadership and management to the Systematic Observations Financing Facility (SOFF) in support of the Global Basic Observing System (GBON);
(g) Maintain close collaboration with the Directors and Heads of other WMO Departments and Offices ensuring the joint planning and support to all WMO strategic objectives relevant to the Infrastructure Systems;
(h) Work together with the Member Services and Development (MSD) Department and regional offices to support regional associations and their subsidiary bodies for implementing WMO Infrastructure Systems, with a view to enhancing the culture and practices on compliance of WMO Members with technical regulations (including manuals, standards) and best practices, training and technical cooperation projects, etc.;
(i) Provide high-level vision, oversight and management for WMO Information and Communication Technology (ICT) activities and act as a focal point for this function within the senior leadership team; Lead the secretariat support to the WMO Information Systems Strategic Advisory Committee (ISSAC).
(j) Act as WMO leading focal point for managing partnerships within and outside of the United Nations system, including coordinating collaboration with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in relation to climate observations, International Telecommunication Union (ITU) with respect to radio frequency coordination, telecommunication development and standardization, with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM) with respect to instrument and measurement standards, and with the Interngovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (IOC-UNESCO) including the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS), and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Promote public-private partnerships relevant to the Department, including liaison with the association of Hydro-Meteorological Equipment Industry (HMEI);
(k) Mobilize needed resources (trust funds, in-kind contributions, hosting WMO centres and facilities, etc.) and provide technical support to WMO Members, through collaboration with the MSD Department and regional associations, for the implementation of WMO infrastructure systems at regional and national levels;
(l) Collect, compile and provide relevant information for monitoring and evaluating implementation performance and reporting based on the key performance indicators, targets and deliverables associated with WMO Infrastructure Systems;
(m) Carry out other relevant duties as required.
| QUALIFICATIONS | ||
| Education Master’s degree or equivalent in meteorology, climatology, hydrology or a closely related scientific field. |
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| Experience At least 15 years of combined national and international progressively responsible experience in high-level positions in a National Meteorological or Hydrological Service, or an equivalent international centre. Solid senior-level management responsibility for Infrastructure Systems typical of National Meteorological or Hydrological Services. Comprehensive experience in leading the development and implementation activities at the national and international levels. Solid experience in managing high-level meteorological programmes. Familiarity with WMO and the working practices of international organizations including the creation and management of partnerships within the United Nations and beyond relevant to the WMO Infrastructure Systems. |
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| Other requirements Excellent managerial and supervisory skills, including budget planning and control, change management, resource mobilization and project management skills. A well-developed capacity for planning, organizing and managing complex international programmes. Proven ability to develop projects and attract funds for their implementation. Leadership ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment and good skill of motivating and inspiring staff. Proven track-record in managing multi-disciplinary and cross-cutting programmes. Maturity of judgment, initiative, creativity, excellent interpersonal and communication skills both orally and in writing. Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to foster team spirit. |
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| 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 Secretary-General may appoint a candidate at a grade below the advertised grade of the post, with the possibility of promotion to that grade within three years of appointment, subject to satisfactory appraisal of performance.Possibility of renewal subject to the availability of funds and pending satisfactory performance after an initial probationary period of one year which can be extended up to a maximum of two years.
| SALARY AND ALLOWANCES | |
| Annual net base salary on initial appointment is: US$ 117280 | |
| Annual post adjustment on initial salary is: US$ 95700 (in addition to the net base salary) | |
Additional Information:
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: 28 April 2023
