Recruitment Notice: Modeling Scientist needed at at The African Union (AU)

Weather Modeling Scientist and Forecaster

Date: 13 Jan 2023

Location: Cameroon, Cameroon

Organization: African Union

AU Values

​​• Respect for diversity and teamwork • Africa first
• Transparency and accountability • Integrity and impartiality
• Efficiency and professionalism • Information and knowledge sharing
Organizational information

Reports to: ClimSA/GFCS Project Coordinator (hierarchical reporting line) and Project Unit Coordinator for ECCAS
Directorate/Department: Sustainable Environment and Blue Economy
Division: Sustainable Environment
Number of direct reports: 0
Number of indirect reports: 0
Job grade: P2
Number of jobs: 1
Type of contract: Fixed Term
Location: Douala (Cameroon)
Purpose of the job

The African Union Commission (AUC) has secured funding from the European Union for the implementation of the Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS) under the Intra-ACP Program for Climate Services and Applications (ClimSA ). The program addresses climate information along the climate services supply chain, including the production and delivery of climate services, access to information, user interface platforms and capacity building of key stakeholders including Regional Economic Communities (RECs), National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) of Member States and Regional Climate Centers (RCCs). Its purpose is to enable Member States to develop science-based climate information and predictions and to integrate them into development planning and decision-making at all levels, and to better manage the risks associated climate variability and its evolution. Furthermore, it aims to improve policies and decision-making at continental, regional, national, community and individual levels.
The AUC is responsible for the overall continental coordination of program implementation, which includes the development and application of weather and climate information services; facilitating capacity building for RECs and Member States; promoting the sharing of best practices and the coordination of knowledge management; purchase and supply of equipment for Member States and Regional Climate Centers; establishing and operationalizing the continental monitoring and reporting framework; facilitating the preparation of reports and outlooks on the state of the climate in Africa; prudent management of financial resources; and monitoring and evaluation.

Qualified candidates from AU Member States of the ECCAS region are particularly encouraged to submit their applications.

Main functions

Under the supervision of the Project Coordinator and in close collaboration with the members of the Project Unit, the Weather Modeling Scientist and Forecaster is responsible for the development and adaptation of the production system.

Specific Responsibilities

• Develop advanced systems for weather and climate modeling and production of weather and climate forecasts;
• Develop tailor-made products through the application of specialized analytical, dynamic and statistical methods; provide training and technical skills in product development, data analysis and variational data assimilation to CAPC-AC staff and NMHSs;
• Run a regional model based on a specific parameterization (allowing convection), develop and improve numerical and computer models to predict atmospheric processes and improve the accuracy of forecasts;
• Perform daily, sub-seasonal and seasonal forecasts;
• Support the establishment and proper functioning of sectoral User Interface Platforms (UIPs), regional Climate Services Information Systems (CSIS), Climate Data Management Systems (CDMS), infrastructure and other systems;
• Design, develop, produce and disseminate weather forecasting and climate monitoring products;
• Design tailor-made products adapted to different development sectors such as health, agriculture and disaster risk management, and collaborate in the development and dissemination of these products;
• Coordinate all aspects of modeling (execution of models on HPC and all meteorological equipment) and produce all products designed in agreement with users (DRR, agriculture and health sectors);
• Recommend any new procedure to the partners in order to implement the creation and pooling of all the different aspects regarding the new predictive indicators in the ECCAS region, and finally, pool all the results of other projects in the field of meteorology and climatology in order to improve forecasts (make flawless forecasts);
• Collect meteorological data from satellite images, radars, remote sensors and meteorological stations in the ECCAS sub-region;
• Analyze, disseminate and exploit meteorological information (temperature, precipitation, sunshine, humidity, wind speed and air pressure/flow, etc.);
• Code weather reports to broadcast them on international networks;
• Produce weather graphics, maps and animations for weather presentations;
• Monitor seasonal variability;
• Strengthen the capacities of national systems (NMHS) and ATPC-AC;
• Conduct research on the characteristics of climate change and write reports;
• Present the results of the work to the public and to special interest groups;
• Represent the project and the CAPC-AC at international meteorological meetings;
• Carry out any other task related to the program that may be entrusted to him.

University training and experience required

• The candidate must hold a university degree in one or more of the following fields: Meteorology, atmospheric physics and higher mathematics, with relevant professional experience of at least five (5) years, including at least two (2) years in international positions of equivalent or higher level.
WHERE
• He must hold a Master’s degree in the above-mentioned fields of study, with relevant professional experience of at least two (2) years at the international level.
• A higher university qualification would be an asset.
• Computer training and proven training in computer modelling;
• Professional experience in the fields of meteorology, climate change, environment, atmospheric modeling and disaster risk reduction.
• Experience in modeling and forecasting is preferred, as well as solid experience in anchoring and producing meteorological information, in observing and forecasting weather conditions, climate risks and disasters and in writing reports on these topics.
• Experience in the ECCAS region is essential.
• Skills in accurate analysis of weather and climate data and in making sound and essential operational decisions.
• Ability to use computer and mathematical, meteorological and climatological models to establish short, medium and long-term forecasts and demonstrate professional experience in the aeronautical industry, maritime transport or in the armed forces.
• Demonstrated mathematical and computer problem solving skills.
• Experience in project management;
Skills required

• A good mastery of the project cycle (formulation, supervision, self-evaluation by the beneficiaries, mid-term and final evaluations);
• Strong analytical, synthesis and report writing skills;
• Proven skills in the use of IT tools;
• Excellent skills in interpersonal relations;
• Excellent planning and organizational skills;
• In-depth knowledge of the technical processes of climate change and meteorology;
• Experience and mastery in one of the meteorological data application sectors (agriculture and food security, health, forestry or disaster risk management);
• Proficiency in one of the official working languages ​​of the AU. Knowledge of another AU language would be an added advantage;
• Proficiency in LINUX and Windows operating systems and the Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Publisher).
Leadership skills
Strategic vision
Valuing others
Change
management Risk management.
Core Competencies
Relationship
Building Promoting a Culture of Accountability
Perception of Learning
Communicating with Influence ..
Functional Competencies
Conceptual Thinking
Knowledge of the Business and Information Sharing
Seeking Results ..
Orientation to Continuous Improvement

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY :

The African Union Commission is an equal opportunity employer, and qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.

DURATION OF CONTRACT AND TAKING OFFICE:

Engagement in this position is on the basis of a contract for a period of 1 year, of which the first three months are considered as a probationary period. The contract is renewed subject to satisfactory results and the availability of funds.

REMUNERATION:

The salary for this function (P2 Step 5) is an annual lump sum of US$92,671.37 inclusive of all allowances in accordance with the regulations governing international civil servants of the Commission, and US$65,992.92 inclusive of all allowances in accordance with the regulations governing local Commission officials.

Applications must be submitted no later than February 13, 2023.
Only candidates who have met all the job requirements and who have been selected for interviews will be contacted.
Only applications registered online with a complete Curriculum Vitae (CV) attached will be considered.
The African Union is an equal opportunity employer, and applications from women are strongly encouraged.

Requisition ID: 1601

Apply ONLY online via the form available at:  https://jobs.au.int/job/Cameroon-Weather-Modelling-Scientist-and-Forecaster/762770902/