DUTY STATION
Home-based, Remote
COMMENCEMENT OF DUTY
To be determined NATURE OF APPOINTMENT
Variable (depending on needs of Department/Division)
Approximately 30 working days
Organizational Unit
Hydrological and Water Resources Services (HWR) Division - Hydrology, Water Resources and Cryosphere (HWC) Branch
Services 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. 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. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Project Background:
The EWS-F project will help advance end-to-end multi-hazard early warning systems and capacities to enable countries to take early action and reduce the impact of hydrological hazards, in particular floods. The project has identified the following two objectives:
(i) Advance the capacities of the WMO Membersโ end-to-end early warning for floods by developing and implementing integrated and interoperable early warning systems that encompass the hydrological value chain.
(ii) Build preparedness and resilience of population and communities at risk of flooding by improving their understanding, response capabilities and enabling them to mitigate the impact of hydrological hazards
Under the scope of this project, a consultancy is being proposed for the assessment of the capacities and capabilities of national institutions for the provision of the effective early warning services for the main hydrometeorological hazards. This involves mainly the Unitรฉ dโHydromรฉtรฉorologie (UHM) and Civil Protection of Haiti.
The findings from the assessment will inform the development of a national implementation plans for flood early warning systems for Haiti. Further, the project will contribute to advance the UN Early Warnings for All Initiative (UN EW4All) activities and plans being developed in Haiti.
The incumbent will offer home-based consultancy services and take stock of existing early warning systems for flood and hydrology-related assessments, reports, evaluations and other relevant documentation produced by WMO and different entities for Haitian institutions. The incumbent is expected to produce a National Capacity Assessment Report based on desk review, interview, among others consulted. The incumbent will report to the Project Manager in charge.
A. Duties and responsibilities:
a) Take stock of existing and available documentation on the national capabilities related to Early Warning Systems for floods:
a. Literature review of available assessments reports
b. Conduct interviews with national institutions to map existing capacities on meteorological, hydrological and warning services within a Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (MHEWS) approach.
b) Produce a National Capacity Assessment Report: following WMO guidelines and describing the strengths and weaknesses related to flood early warning systems at national level.
c) Assessing complementarities and synergies with other programmes, projects; such as CREWS Haiti, CREWS Caribbean, as well as with current support from World Bank, UNDRR, World Food Programme Early Warnings for All (EW4All), and WMO Hydrological Status and Outlook System (HydroSOS).
d) Carry out virtual consultations with UHM and relevant Haitian Institutions
B. Deliverables:
The consultant shall work in coordination with UHM and WMO to the develop following deliverables to be submitted for the review and approval of WMO.
1. Inception Report: It should include a mapping of stakeholders, list of activities with along with timeline and workplan for the successfully completing the tasks under the consultancy.
2. Assessment Report: Compile an assessment report summarizing the findings from the stocktaking and literature review of available assessment reports, and identifying any gaps in hydrometeorological and warning service delivery along with relevant references to support these findings.
3. Developing the Concept of Operations (CONOPS): Map the institutional and operational status of national institutions for effective warning services delivery and develop CONOPS Framework for the hydrometeorological early warning systems.
4. Roadmap for Development: Formulate a roadmap for addressing identified gaps and build capabilities on hydrometeorological and warning services within the CONOPS Framework. QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in hydrometeorology, hydrology, water resources, environmental sciences, disaster risk management or related fields.
Experience
A minimum of ten (10) years of experience in supporting the development of national meteorological, hydrological and warning services, including establishment of early warning systems, in one or more of the following related areas:
- Operational hydrometeorological services: water resources, hydrogeology, environmental sciences or related field for modelling, forecasting, monitoring and observing network design, and integrated hydrometeorological system design.
- Hydrological and meteorological data management: Experience in interoperable solutions for real-time and historical data management and access for flood forecasting and warning systems (including ancillary data)
- Hydrological forecasting and warning: Technical expertise in flood forecasting processes, techniques and tools including Impact-based forecasting and warning, technical support to Anticipatory Action data and information processing for effective communication.
- Hydrometeorological hazard risk assessment: Technical expertise in hazard risk assessment processes, techniques, and tools.
- Institutional frameworks for early warning services: Understanding of national legislations, and institutional cooperations on EWS and disaster risk reductions for hydrometeorological hazards.
Other requirements
- Familiarity with WMO regulatory materials and technical guidelines on hydrology and early warning system
- Proficiency in conveying complex technical information clearly and effectively.
- Problem-solving skills to address challenges related to integrated flood management effectively.
- Ability to adapt to different operational environments including working autonomously and, in a team,
- Displays cultural, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
- Familiarity with Haitian context will be desirable.
- Strong verbal and written communication abilities and analytical skills Demonstrated experience in capacity and needs assessments for hydrometeorological and warning services, and in the design of improvement strategies.
Languages
Excellent knowledge of French (both oral and written) is required. Working knowledge of English (both oral and written) is desired.
(Note: The official languages of the Organization are Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish.) Additional Information:
Proposed fee: As per WMO rules and regulations and based on experience demonstrated by the candidate
Focal point email for additional information: Guilherme Varro (gvarro@wmo.int)
Applications should be made online through the WMO e-recruitment system at https://erecruit.wmo.int/public.
Do not send your application via multiple routes. Only applicants in whom WMO has a further interest will be contacted. Shortlisted candidates may be required to sit a written test and/or an interview. Date of issue of vacancy notice:
