Scientific Programme Officer
JOB DETAIL
DUTY STATION
Geneva, Switzerland
COMMENCEMENT OF DUTY
To be determinedNATURE OF APPOINTMENT
Fixed-term – 2 years
Organizational Unit
Systematic Observations Financing Facility (SOFF)
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
The Scientific Programme Officer reports to the SOFF Programme Management Officer, under the overall guidance of the Director of the SOFF Secretariat and works in close collaboration with the SOFF Secretariat team, WMO and multiple stakeholders. The incumbent will perform the following duties:
(a) Support the coordination of the scientific and technical aspects of SOFF, including working with WMO Technical Authority to ensure that SOFF activities are fully consistent and aligned with GBON implementation and evolution as established by WMO;
(b) Coordinate the GBON technical arrangements with the SOFF peer advisors (advanced National Meteorological and Hydrological Services) for the delivery of SOFF peer advisory services during all SOFF phases of support (Readiness, Investment and Compliance); analyse the delivery capacity of the SOFF pool of peer advisors; and provide overall coordination support for communications and exchanges with the peer advisors;
(c) Facilitate the preparation and implementation of the SOFF Readiness phase; including providing support to peer advisors and beneficiary countries; review Readiness phase funding requests for consistency and coherence with the SOFF Operational Manual and the SOFF Operational Guidance Handbook before submission to the Steering Committee; and facilitate completion of the Readiness phase and its outputs;
(d) Coordinate the learning and evaluation of SOFF peer advisors’ technical assistance; ensure dissemination and reflection of lessons learned including in SOFF operational guidance; and contribute to SOFF’s overall monitoring and evaluation, including contributions to the SOFF Annual report;
(e) Support the joint SOFF and WMO Technical Authority activities, including facilitating the organization of WMO screening of the GBON National Gap Analysis and the GBON National Contribution Plan produced during the SOFF Readiness phase; contribute to WMO’s GBON compliance monitoring, reporting and verification for SOFF; and facilitate the provision of WMO basic technical support to SOFF beneficiary countries, peer advisors, and Implementing Entities;
(f) Prepare inputs for GBON-related guidance documents for SOFF peer advisors, including undertaking analytical work related to GBON gaps and GBON implementation in SOFF beneficiary countries; and contribute to the organization of workshops, training and interaction between WMO Technical Authority and peer advisors to ensure full consistency of SOFF peer advisory services with the GBON requirements and provisions;
(g) Contribute to the development, drafting, and consultation of SOFF-related operational frameworks, concepts and approaches, including ensuring delivery of SOFF output 8 (countries’ access to improved forecast products) and SOFF annual impact reports (SOFF observations impact on forecast skill);
(h) Contribute to update of the SOFF Operational Manual and Operational guidance handbook, including feeding lessons learned from the implementing entities, the private sector, and the civil society engagement from the implementing entities, the private sector and the civil society engagement;
(i) Carry out other relevant duties as required.
| QUALIFICATIONS | ||
| Education Master’s degree or equivalent in meteorology, oceanography, hydrology, atmospheric and environmental sciences, physics, mathematics, geography, geophysics, or a closely related field. A first-level university degree, in combination with qualifying experience, may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. |
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| Experience A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience with a focus on the design and implementation of observing networks in developing countries, ideally working in a national meteorological and hydrological service. Experience with the preparation of funding proposals for development cooperation projects is highly desirable. |
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| Other requirements Knowledge of the Global Basic Observing Network (GBON) and of the operational challenges related to achieving GBON compliance in developing countries is desirable. 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 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$ 64121 | |
| Annual post adjustment on initial salary is: US$ 52323 (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: 19 April 2023
