DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

26 December 2024-23:59-GMT+05:45 Nepal Time (Kathmandu)

WFP celebrates and embraces diversity. It is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, HIV status or disability.

ABOUT WFP

The World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity, for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

At WFP, people are at the heart of everything we do and the vision of the future WFP workforce is one of diverse, committed, skilled, and high performing teams, selected on merit, operating in a healthy and inclusive work environment, living WFP’s values (Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion) and working with partners to save and change the lives of those WFP serves.

To learn more about WFP, visit our website: https://www.wfp.org and follow us on social media to keep up with our latest news: YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok.

WHY JOIN WFP?

• WFP is a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.
• WFP offers a highly inclusive, diverse, and multicultural working environment.
• WFP invests in the personal & professional development of its employees through a range of training, accreditation, coaching, mentorship, and other programs as well as through internal mobility opportunities.
• A career path in WFP provides an exciting opportunity to work across the various country, regional and global offices around the world, and with passionate colleagues who work tirelessly to ensure that effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people across the globe.
• We offer an attractive compensation package (please refer to the Terms and Conditions section of this vacancy announcement).

WFP encourages female candidates and people with disabilities to apply.

ABOUT WFP
The World Food Programme (WFP) is the leading humanitarian organization saving lives and changing lives and delivering assistance in emergencies and working with communities to improve nutrition and build resilience.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

Since 2015, WFP Nepal is working closely with the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM) in establishing and defining triggers and thresholds for early warnings, specifically focusing on flood hazard. Since 2020, WFP in collaboration with DHM and other relevant stakeholders piloted an innovative approach, anticipatory action / forecast based financing, where cash was transferred households-at-risk before the occurrence of floods and subject to the triggers being reached. With a view to strengthen the existing systems, policies and procedures that enable anticipatory action including as part of the shock responsive social protection, WFP in collaboration with the government and other partners is developing a project for creating linkages between climate and disaster risk financing and insurance instruments and social protection systems at all levels of Government and ensure effectiveness and timeliness of assistance to households affected by shocks and risks.

JOB PURPOSE

The objective is to assist the government in strengthening and equipping with a comprehensive and customized earth observation integration in existing application of hazard monitoring and forecasting framework to generate blended product of satellite-based rainfall estimates with in-situ observations, analyze indices for multi-hazard monitoring and develop, compare, and validate accuracy of Probabilistic Quantitative Precipitation for multi-hazard monitoring.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Position Title: Programme Associate (Meteorologist)

Contract Type: Special Service Agreement (SSA)

Level: SSA7

Contract Duration: 4 months

Duty Station: Kathmandu

Date of Publication: 13.12.2024

Deadline of Application: 26.12.2024

WFP offers a competitive benefits package including salary plus CIGNA health insurance

ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

Under the overall oversight and leadership from the Head of Programme and the direct supervision of the Programme Policy Officer for Forecast based Anticipatory Action (FbAA), the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:

• Ensure the requirements of monitoring satellite-based rainfall estimates from various satellite platforms (real and near-real time) and its operations in detecting extreme rainfall events.
• Provide specialized expertise and contribute to preparing a blended product that combines satellite-based rainfall estimates (with in-situ observations, using appropriate algorithms and methodologies taking into account their strengths and weaknesses.
• Plan and implement testing and evaluation of the accuracy and reliability of the blended product on hourly, daily, monthly, seasonal, and yearly scales over the whole Nepal, and at grid-to grid scale.
• Apply quantification any identification of biases in the blended product, using statistical methods and analyze and apply appropriate bias correction and calibration approaches to both precipitation monitoring products to enhance the confidence and skill of the products.
• Ensure integration of observational data into existing weather models to improve forecast accuracy.
• Support in assessing performance of weather forecasting models by comparing with observed data.
• Contribute towards statistical bias correction techniques to adjust model outputs and reduce systematic errors.
• Prepare multi-model ensemble for probabilistic forecasting.
• Provide efficient coordination and specialized support to review, identify and test different indices for monitoring drought, heatwave, cold wave, and flood, and provide early warnings.
• Act as an escalation point to analyze spatial and temporal trends to predict and assess exceptionally heavy precipitation at grid scale for different time resolutions linked to multi-hazards.
• Provide specialized support to test the blended product with relevant stakeholders, including government agencies, DRM stakeholders, and other decision-makers, and incorporate additional features into the final product.
• Prepare operational manual and conduct hands-on training to DHM officials for operational use to implement automated rainfall-based multi-hazard monitoring system.
• Perform duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

Education: Completion of secondary school education. A post-secondary certificate in the related functional area. Completion of a bachelor’s degree in the related functional area is desirable (e.g. Meteorology, Environmental Science, Disaster Risk Management, Civil Engineering or other relevant disciplinary).

Experience:

• 7 years of relevant experience in running numerical weather models, monitoring satellite rainfall estimate and analyzing indices for hazard monitoring with programming language applications.
• Has participated in implementing technical Programme.
• Has implemented Programme with increased level of responsibility.
• Has provided input to policy discussions

Knowledge & Skills: Strong analytical and technical skills, with experience in data collection, analysis, and visualization with proficiency in programming languages such as R, CDO, GEE and Python is preferred.

Languages: Fluency in both oral and written communication in English and Nepali

WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK

WFP Leadership Framework guides to the common standards of behavior that guide HOW we work together to accomplish our mission.

Click here to access WFP Leadership Framework

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

WFP is dedicated to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our recruitment process is inclusively crafted to welcome candidates of all backgrounds, celebrating diversity and ensuring a respectful environment for all. We aim for an accessible and fair recruitment journey. Should you need any reasonable accommodations or have accessibility concerns, please reach out to us confidentially at global.inclusion@wfp.org. Our DEI team is here to ensure your full participation in our recruitment process.

NO FEE DISCLAIMER

The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.

REMINDERS BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

• We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete, and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, language skills and UN Grade (if applicable).
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application.
• Please make sure you upload your professional CV in the English language
• Kindly note the only documents you will need to submit at this time are your CV and Cover Letter
• Additional documents such as passport, recommendation letters, academic certificates, etc. may potentially be requested at a future time
• Please contact us at global.hrerecruitment@wfp.org in case you face any challenges with submitting your application
• Only shortlisted candidates will be notified

All employment decisions are made on the basis of organizational needs, job requirements, merit, and individual qualifications. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment free of sexual exploitation and abuse, all forms of discrimination, any kind of harassment, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. Therefore, all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), FAO Finance Committee, WFP External Auditor, WFP Audit Committee, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP, both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements