Head, Atmospheric Environment Research Division
JOB DETAIL
DUTY STATION
Geneva, Switzerland
COMMENCEMENT OF DUTY
To be determinedNATURE OF APPOINTMENT
Fixed-term – 2 years
Organizational Unit
Atmospheric Environment Research (AERD) Division
Science and Innovation 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 Director, Science and Innovation (SI) Department, the incumbent will perform the following duties:
(a) Manage support of the Scientific Steering Committee (SSC) for Environmental Pollution and Atmospheric Chemistry (EPAC) and its expert groups, implementation and reporting of relevant meetings, workshops, conferences and symposia;
(b) Manage the new WMO Global Atmosphere Watch (GAW) Science and Implementation Plan, in cooperation with the SSC-EPAC and its expert groups, that includes a balance between policy and user driven products and working towards an end-to-end approach from observation through models to services, while maintaining and enhancing long-term observations globally. Ensure that the urban environmental requirements are included;
(c) Ensure that the GAW core activities (e.g., measurement techniques, global, regional stations and contributing networks, data, quality assurance and calibration centres and facilities, assessments) initiated, endorsed, and/or guided by the GAW Programme;
(d) Ensure adequate coordination efforts and cross-cutting activities in the Secretariat, to support the further development of the Global Greenhouse Gas Watch (GGGW) through the cross-department collaboration and transition of matured GAW components to GGGW operations, to the extent possible;
(e) Promote the use of numerical models to compliment atmospheric composition measurements for applications such as transboundary transport of air pollution, including smoke from biomass burning, volcanic ash and airborne sand and dust;
(f) Take into account the challenges and opportunities that arise from GAW for weather prediction, climate change, climate adaptation and mitigation, and for services, also in the wider context of the WMO 2024-2027 Strategy, maintain and foster the development of activities at the interface between GAW and other research programmes as well as WMO departments that address the needs of Members in specialized observations, training, service delivery and transition of research to operations;
(g) Ensure strong collaboration and interactions with the various United Nations and other international organizations and scientific institutions working on environmental issues relevant to WMO;
(h) Lead, within the Science and Innovation Department, GAW-related contributions to sessional and intersessional work of the Research Board as well as to other WMO constituent bodies;
(i) Represent WMO at meetings on atmospheric chemistry and related environmental matters and promote the unique value and role of GAW in accounting for the human impact on the atmosphere and the value of science integrity into services;
(j) Contribute to the Departmental Resource Mobilisation efforts in support of GAW activities and priorities;
(k) Organize and participate in the publication of technical reports, popular science brochures, data reports, newsletters, bulletins and other services or products of the GAW Programme;
(l) Manage the AER Division staff to ensure fair, effective and efficient roles and responsibilities, promote good communication, team effort and proactive planning and work scheduling; Manage and monitor the use of the budget for the AER Division and related trust funds and legal agreements in support of relevant activities;
(m) Represent WMO as co-Chair of Geneva Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution’s Task Force on Measurement and Modelling (TFMM) and coordinate the activities of the GAW Measurement- Model Fusion for Total global Atmospheric Deposition science-for- services GAW Initiative;
(n) Represent WMO as point of contact to the Joint Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Environmental Protection (GESAMP);
(o) Carry out other relevant duties as required.
| QUALIFICATIONS | ||
| Education Master’s degree or equivalent in climate science, or a closely related scientific field. PhD or equivalent degree in atmospheric science, chemistry or closely related field is an advantage. |
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| Experience A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible national and international experience in the field of atmospheric science, including atmospheric chemistry and composition. Management and supervision experience demonstrating progressive responsibilities in the development and execution of national and international research and/or observation programs and projects, attested by the publication of technical and scientific documents. Extensive experience in writing technical reports, scientific documents and publications in English, organizing scientific meetings, overseeing budgets and managing staff. Demonstrated ability to present scientific methods and issues related to the chemistry and composition of the atmosphere. Understanding of the value chain, from research, to services and products, to operations. Use of atmospheric chemistry and composition information in service delivery and policy development. Experience in resource mobilisation in support of atmospheric science research and activities. |
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| Other requirements Good understanding of the United Nations system, international environmental conventions related to atmospheric chemistry, WMO programmes and activities and international organization processes. Excellent managerial, supervisory, organizational, qualitative and quantitative skills. Solid coordination, interpersonal and communication skills. Demonstrated responsibility, maturity of judgement and initiative and originality of ideas. Experience organizing and managing work programmes. Ability to write clear and succinct reports, documents and correspondence. Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to foster diversity and team spirit. |
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| Languages Excellent knowledge of English (both oral and written). Knowledge of French is desirable. 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$ 92731 | |
| Annual post adjustment on initial salary is: US$ 78914 (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: 27 September 2023
