CONSULTANCY – Regional Action Based Forecasting expert – SSA-2026-RAF-RCO-8

Job Description

Background

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO), through the WISER ActionFirst™ initiative and the Climate Risk and Early Warning Systems (CREWS) programme, is supporting countries in Eastern and Southern Africa to strengthen action-based forecasting (ABF), impact-based forecasting (IBF), and people-centred early warning systems. Despite progress, key challenges remain, including limited coordination among WMO-designated regional centres and NMHSs, lack of clarity in operational roles under the WMO Integrated Processing and Prediction System (WIPPS), gaps in digital interoperability and CAP-based dissemination, and weak integration between forecasting systems and disaster risk management institutions.

To address these gaps, the WISER ActionFirst™ initiative is supporting strengthened regional coordination, harmonisation of forecasting approaches, and improved translation of forecasts into actionable early warning services aligned with EW4All. The consultant will provide technical and support to strengthen the interface between regional centres, NMHSs, and sectoral users, ensuring that forecasting outputs are operationally relevant, harmonised, and effectively translated into early action

Duties and Responsibilities

2.1 Coordination and Regional Integration

• Support coordination of WISER ActionFirst™ and CREWS activities across national, sub-regional, and regional levels
• Facilitate collaboration between RCCs, RSMCs, NMHSs, and regional institutions to strengthen operational coordination along the forecasting value chain
• Support clarification and operationalisation of roles and interfaces of regional centres under WIPPS
• Contribute to strengthening linkages between meteorological services and disaster risk management institutions
• Support follow-up actions from regional coordination workshops and dialogues

2.2 Forecasting, Impact-Based Services and Operationalisation

• Support development and operationalisation of impact-based forecasting approaches
• Assist in translating regional and national forecasts into sector-specific advisories and early warning products
• Support harmonisation of forecasting approaches across regional centres and NMHSs
• Contribute to improving operational workflows linking forecasting, warning dissemination, and early action
• Support alignment of forecasting services with EW4All requirements

2.3 Digital Interoperability and Early Warning Dissemination

• Support strengthening digital interoperability between regional centres and NMHSs, including data sharing and exchange mechanisms
• Contribute to improving implementation of the Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) and other dissemination standards
• Support documentation and improvement of early warning dissemination workflows
• Promote use of digital platforms and tools for dissemination and user engagement

2.4 Capacity Development, Stakeholder Engagement and Regional Support

• Support preparation and delivery of technical trainings, workshops, consultations, and peer learning activities
• Contribute to strengthening capacity of NMHSs in forecasting, climate services, and co-production processes
• Facilitate knowledge exchange across RCCs, RSMCs, NMHSs, and sectoral stakeholders
• Support engagement with NMHSs, DRM agencies, agricultural institutions, and development partners
• Prepare briefing notes, technical summaries, and coordination updates
• Provide technical inputs to regional coordination initiatives, dialogues, and workshops
• Contribute to communication and visibility of programme outputs

2.5 Monitoring, Reporting and Knowledge Management

• Support tracking of project activities and consolidation of technical inputs for reporting
• Contribute to preparation of monthly, quarterly, and technical reports
• Document lessons learned, best practices, and operational improvements
• Support development of knowledge products and communication materials

Expected Deliverables

• Deliverable 1: Regional Coordination and Operational Strengthening
• Deliverable 2: Climate Services and Co-Production
• Deliverable 3: Forecasting and Early Warning Services
• Deliverable 4: Digital Interoperability and Dissemination
• Deliverable 5: Capacity Development, Stakeholder Engagement and Regional Support
• Deliverable 6: Monitoring, Reporting and Knowledge Products

Required Skills and Experience

Education: 

• Degree in Meteorology, Climatology, Agrometeorology, or related field

Experience:

• At least 8–10 years of experience in forecasting, climate services, or early warning systems
• Strong experience in seasonal forecasting, agrometeorology, and climate services
• Demonstrated experience in co-production processes and user engagement
• Experience working with NMHSs, regional centres, and multi-country programmes

Other Requirements: 

• High sense of integrity, responsibility, and maturity of judgment; demonstrated ability to plan, organize and manage multiple workloads.
• Strong analytical, organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to foster innovation, diversity and team spirit.

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.)

Salary and Allowances: Pay band C – USD 390.- to 560.- depending upon experience, knowledge and skills.

Duration: 150 days over a period of 9 months

Travel: Possibility of travel that will be organized by WMO in due course

Focal Point: Joshua Ngaina jngaina@wmo.int

How to Apply

Applications should be made online through the: >> WMO e-recruitment system.

Do not send your application via multiple routes. WMO no longer accepts applications via post or email. Only applicants for whom WMO has a further interest will be contacted. Shortlisted candidates may be required to sit a written test and/or an interview.

Statements:

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 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.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

WMO does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.

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