Agrometeorologist

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FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in its staff and international consultants in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions.

• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture
• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply
• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO’s values
• FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination　　
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
• FAO staff are subject to the authority of the Director-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the Organization.

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO’s goal is to achieve food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 members – 194 countries and the European Union, FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide and has started working in Sri Lanka since 1979 with its Representation (Country Office) opened in Colombo.

The FAO contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through its Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agri-food systems, and through four Betters (Better production, Better nutrition, a Better environment and a Better life) and leaving no one behind.
Anticipatory action in the context of the FAO refers to a proactive approach taken to prevent or mitigate the impacts of disasters and crises on agriculture, food security, and livelihoods. Instead of waiting for a disaster to strike and responding reactively, anticipatory action involves taking measures in advance based on early warning systems, forecasts, and risk analysis to reduce the negative consequences of an impending hazard. The aim is to protect vulnerable populations, especially smallholder farmers, from the adverse effects of disasters, such as droughts, floods, and other climate-related events. FAO is actively involved in promoting anticipatory action in agriculture and food security. The organization collaborates with various partners, governments, and communities to develop and implement Anticipatory Action strategies.

FAO’s anticipatory action initiative aims to enhance the resilience of communities, prevent food and livelihood losses, and reduce the overall humanitarian and economic impacts of disasters. By proactively addressing vulnerabilities and risks, the FAO contributes to building more sustainable and secure food systems, particularly in regions prone to climate-related challenges.

The Agrometeorologist is recruited to assist the approach in Sri Lanka within the framework of a project “Scaling up Anticipatory Action for Agriculture and Food Security funded by the German Federal Foreign Office (GFFO) – OSRO/GLO/1196/GER. The programme will run from January 2024 to December 2025 with a core focus to scale up anticipatory action efforts, coordination and mainstreaming efforts in the country.

Reporting Lines

The Agrometeorologist will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative for Sri Lanka and the Maldives and the direct supervision of the Assistant FAO Representative (Programmes). Working closely with the Anticipatory Action Project Coordinator.

Technical Focus

The objective of the assignment is to develop, test and validate triggering methodologies and impact-based forecasting for Anticipatory Action in Sri Lanka. The role with further support the standardization of the process and work closely with government counterparts and partners to support mainstreaming and outreach efforts.

Tasks and responsibilities

The Agrometeorologist will be responsible for the following specific tasks:

Support the technical aspects of developing triggers and exploring the application of impact-based forecasting for climate hazards

• Facilitate the development, testing and validation of triggering methodologies of climate hazards in dedicated geographical areas in Sri Lanka.
• Facilitate the ex-post analysis of the accuracy of early warning triggers.
• Explore the roll-out of impact-based forecasting methods for Anticipatory Action.
• Assist the Anticipatory Action Coordinator and FAO Sri Lanka Country Office and partners in the monitoring of weather/forecasts.
• Develop guidelines and tools on the selection of climate, livelihood and food security indicators and thresholds for anticipating climate impacts on agriculture and food security.
• Assisting to provide advice on how to communicate triggering messages (to government, partners, districts and communities) and ensure risk levels are clearly defined and articulated to reach the last mile.
• Facilitate the ex-post analysis of accuracy of communication methodologies of triggers and the trust levels for the information.

Support mainstreaming and capacity building efforts with government counterparts and partners
• Assist FAO to work with government counterparts to explore how triggering methodologies can be integrated in pre-disaster actions and potential expansion to national level.
• Improve linkages between forecasted impact, hazard magnitude and risk level to better inform early warning messaging.
• Support training modalities on Early Warning Systems in both e-learning form and in-person.
• Identify requirements for an effective and optimized monitoring network for strategic hazard risk management, forecasting and early warning in the future and optimized station coverage.
• Support country office and partners integrate the data form various observation networks and develop value added agrometeorological products and services.

Support advocacy and outreach efforts to standardize good practices for triggering methodologies
• Provide technical advice on setting up of multi-disciplinary committees and institutional mechanisms to improve climate services.
• Support FAO to conduct high level dialogues and events by providing technical advice and presentations on gains made in this field in Sri Lanka.
• Perform other duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced degree in agrometeorology, meteorology, climate science, agronomy, or environmental studies, preferably with agricultural meteorology with sufficient background on climate/weather data, monitoring, and forecasts, and setting up of the climate information systems linking climate information providers and users in agricultural sector;
• At least five years of relevant experience in public and/or private sectors.
• Working knowledge of English and Sinhala/Tamil
• National of Sri Lanka or resident of the country with a valid work permit

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Demonstrated experience and good knowledge of national disaster risk management, climate change-related agenda, and mitigation/adaptation activities;
• Ability to interact tactfully and effectively with multiple institutional actors in diverse sectors and at diverse levels;
• Proven capacity to conduct fieldwork and ability to work in teams and establish working relationships with central and local government institutions and civil society organizations;
• Good command of computer skills (MS Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Internet);
• Understanding of FAO policies and programme is considered a strong asset.
• Good interpersonal skills with experience in networking with partners in Sri Lanka at all levels (Ministries, donors, private sector, NGOs, and local community-based organizations)
• Experience working with preparing reports and presenting information visually.

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing).
• Incomplete applications will not be considered. If you need help or have queries, please contact: [email protected]
• Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted.
• Only language proficiency certificates from UN accredited external providers and/or FAO language official examinations (LPE, ILE, LRT) will be accepted as proof of the level of knowledge of languages indicated in the online applications.
• For other issues, visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.

HOW TO APPLY

• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application
• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
• We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.

If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance: https://fao.service-now.com/csp

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