[Hiring] Meteorologist and Climate Risk Analyst @World Food Programme

Role Description

The Meteorologist and Climate Risk Analyst will report to the lead food security analyst within PRG-FF and be responsible for the following key duties:

• Conduct systematic horizon-scanning, research and forecast emerging natural hazard risks in Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean.
• Research and identify likelihood and potential impacts of natural hazards (Impact-based forecasting), including impact trend analysis in Africa, Asia and the Pacific, and Latin America and the Caribbean.
• Draft clear analytical briefs on appropriately prioritized natural hazard risks and their potential humanitarian impacts for the Corporate Alert System (CAS), Early Warning watchlist, FAO-WFP Hunger Hotspot early warning analysis and Seasonal Outlooks or inputs to the Seasonal Monitor or related Regional Offices products, as well as on-demand briefs/reports.
• Conduct systematic horizon-scanning, forecast and issue flash alerts on potential sudden-onset natural hazards, in close coordination with PRG-F where warranted.
• Support the development of analytical methods and early warning tools related to seasonal natural hazard risk assessment, incl. for Seasonal Outlooks, and updating of WFP’s natural hazard early warning methodology.
• Coordinate with PRG-F, EPR, and regional VAM and EPR teams in response to emergencies and support with forecast analysis and mapping as needed.
• Collaborate with the PRG-FG to ensure quality of meteo/climate-related analysis and mapping.
• Actively coordinate with the PRG-FG and provide meteorological information for the development of tools to provide a systematic and consistent flood early warning system across WFP countries; when needed, provide additional support and advice to PRG-FG work related to weather and climate tasks.
• Support, as required, in coordination and liaison with PPG, the development of Forecast-based Financing/FbF programmes that require geospatial and impact based early warning tools and systems to alert systematically on forecasts for extreme events.
• Participate in new partnership initiatives relevant to climate and natural hazard activities with academia, research institutions, UN agencies, NGOs, Private and Public sectors in order to enhance preparedness and actions ahead of and during hazards.
• Support HQ and field colleagues on the use of forecasting tools and the interpretation of weather information and identify tailored collaboration opportunities.
• Collaborate with and train regional offices and country offices to strengthen their early warning capacity for natural hazards.
• When needed, represent WFP at climate and natural hazard events, workshops and summits and technical working groups and fora (incl. IASC meteo sub-group, FEWSNET meteo group, IASC ENSO cell).
• When needed, provide support to Training and Simulation team on natural hazard simulations and reports.
• When needed, undertake support missions to COs/ROs and provide ad-hoc and on request support to field offices.
• Any other tasks as required.

Qualifications

• Master’s or Engineering degree in Meteorology, Atmospheric Science, Climate science or a related field. A PhD in meteorology, Atmospheric science, Climate Science or in a related field is a plus.
• At least five years of postgraduate professional experience in short term and/or seasonal weather forecasting for Africa, Asia and the Pacific, and Latin America and the Caribbean.
• Experience or study related to the use of international seasonal and subseasonal forecast models; Numerical Weather Prediction Models, Global Climate Models, Regional Climate Models or Cloud Resolving Models; and atmospheric or climate modelling.
• Preferably experience in impact-based forecasting/analysis of potential impact of natural hazard risks.
• Experience in delivering oral and written weather briefings to technical and non-technical audiences and/or contributing to multi-stakeholder reports and briefings.

Requirements

• Experience with FORTRAN, NCL, GrADS, R, Python, GIS, GEE, or similar is desirable.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision and set priorities.
• Ability to communicate clearly both orally and in writing.
• Ability to work in a team, and establish effective working relations with persons of different national and cultural backgrounds.

Deliverables at the End of the Contract

• Contributions to the monthly early warning watch list, the Corporate Alert System, and the joint FAO-WFP Hunger Hotspots early warning reports outlining upcoming natural hazard risks.
• Production of Flash Alerts/Heads-up messages, and Seasonal Outlooks outlining upcoming natural hazard risks.
• Alerts and support to country offices and regional offices facing fast- or slow-onset natural hazards.
• Updates and sharing of risk assessments for fast-onset natural hazards for senior management, response support, information reporting officers and field offices.
• COs and ROs are fully aware of the latest climate-related products to enhance WFP capacities in preparedness and response.
• Effective working relationships and information sharing with internal and external partners on early warning and risk assessments in common areas of shared interest.