Climate Modeler

NORCAP’s mission is to improve aid to protect and empower people affected by crises and climate change. With expertise in the humanitarian, development and peacebuilding sectors, we collaborate with local, national and international partners on finding solutions that meet the needs of people at risk.
 

We do this by:

• Supporting humanitarian, development and peacebuilding initiatives that protect and empower people.
• Improving impact at the global and local level through joint projects with partners and stakeholders
• Providing expertise and developing capacity that enable partners to meet the needs of people in fragile situations and crises.
• Strengthening the global system that we are part of through support for leadership, coordination and policy development.
• Building bridges between the humanitarian, development and peacebuilding sectors
• NORCAP is part of the Norwegian Refugee Council.

We are now recruiting a Climate Modeler for a one-year assignment with possible extension to be based at the Ethiopian Meteorological Institute - EMI in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The Ethiopian Meteorological Institute - EMI is dedicated to improving climate prediction, monitoring, and research to support national development and climate resilience. You will play an important role in enhancing EMI´s capabilities in climate modeling.

Role and objective

The overall objective is to support EMI in their work and ensure capacity building and training for EMI staff and relevant teams. As part of your responsibility, you will support the Norad funded Consortium Project titled Improving Smallholder Resilience Through Customised Climate Services and ensure better collaboration, cross synergy building and support to partners of the projects and EMI. Specifically, you will strengthen the capacity of EMI in weather diagnostics and forecasting for effective and tailored early warning products and services. For more information, please see here.

Main tasks and responsibilities

As Climate Modeler, you will take on the following responsibilities:

• Support identification of a suitable community weather model and provide training and develop staff technical skills in using data assimilation three-dimensional variational assimilation (3DVAR) and Four-dimensional variational assimilation (4DVAR) by using three upper air data, two Radar and 300 Automatic weather station (AWS) data, and generating high-resolution weather and climate forecasting at national and regional levels.
• Develop an ensemble of numerical tools to exploit (extract, visualise, archive) the model outputs
• Collaborate with the forecasters and clients to develop graphical tools to exploit the model outputs and other datasets.
• Develop an automate system to run the model pre and post processing
• Propose and implement an architecture for the model data management
• Train relevant staff with respect to: 1) Programming (python, linux) 2) Analysing model performance (success and failure) 3) Maintaining/updating the model
• Support development of reports and scientific papers to present the progress and achievements improving EMI early warning products and services.
• Support the development of long-term capacity building plan and knowledge transfer to ensure sustainability of enhanced capacity.
• Implement the strategy for the assimilation of external data on an operational system
• Actively contribute to review of scientific ideas at status/technical meetings.
   

Qualifications

To excel in this role, candidates should possess the following qualifications and skills:

• An advanced university degree or equivalent experience in atmospheric sciences or meteorology, mathematics, or a related physical science, with specialication in weather and climate modeling.
• At least seven (7) years’ work experience in climate diagnostics, artificial intelligence, modeling and Climate prediction in a known climate prediction center focusing on weather and climate modeling at different time scales.
• Good experience in Modeling and Downscaling dynamical forecast for sub-seasonal (S2S) to seasonal scale climate prediction.
• Experience in operationalising the ensemble forecasting techniques of the WRF and GCMs both for short term, sub-seasonal to seasonal scale.
• Proven excellent communication and writing skills with at least 5 years’ experience in participatory consultative process involving various stakeholders.
• Experience with interpreting weather forecasts and ensemble forecast verification, knowledge about strengths and weaknesses of ensemble predictions.
• Experience with ensemble forecast verification, knowledge about strengths and weaknesses of ensemble predictions.
• Experience with developing objective sub-seasonal and seasonal forecasting to improve weather and climate forecast Demonstrate evidence on the benefit of data assimilation (DA) for improving Early Warning Systems and informing anticipatory action
• Experience in conducting research to improve forecasting methods
• Proficiency in scripting and programming languages preferably Python, machine/data learning and AI tools.
• Excellent computing skills including computing knowledge necessary for climate diagnostics, modeling and prediction; good working knowledge of compiled computer languages and model output visualisation packages.
• Proven experience in coordinating and organizing training and capacity development activities, particularly in developing countries, including meetings and workshops.
• Experience working with stakeholders, especially the agricultural sectors 
• Collaborative and reliable person with willingness to work with international research team
• Ability to convey technical information to a non technical audience. 

For more information about this role and the collaboration between Ethiopian Meteorological Institute and NORCAP, see full Terms of Reference here. 

What we offer

• Rewarding work for a renowned global organisation
• Access to a network of humanitarian, peace, and development professionals
• Join NORCAP’s team of experts and be considered for future assignments elsewhere
• A dedicated Staff Care Unit

How to apply

• When submitting your application, kindly register in English your full employment history and education. Please include your full name as written in your passport. Uploaded CVs alone will not be reviewed.
• NORCAP values diversity, equity and inclusion. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of race, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, religion or disability.
• Both national and international candidates are encouraged to apply.
• NORCAP reserves the right to conduct a full background check on shortlisted candidates.
• Approved Health Certificate will be required prior to contract commencement and assignment.
• Feedback will be given to all applicants within four weeks after the closing of this advertisement.
• Apply before 29th December 2024, 11.59PM CET.