The role

ECMWF is seeking an exceptional team leader for our User Applications and Services team within the Development Section. This critical role involves overseeing the development of services and applications that interface with internal and external users in support of ECMWF’s mission to deliver cutting-edge earth system data, weather products and visualisation . The ideal candidate will drive innovation in those services, ensure seamless user experiences across diverse applications, and play a pivotal role in broadening ECMWF’s service provision to users.

At ECMWF, you will join a passionate community collectively aiming to bring novel technology and science to the cutting-edge of numerical weather prediction. With recent breakthroughs in Artificial Intelligence (AI) for weather forecasting, it becomes clear that AI will play a key role in the next generation of forecasting systems. ECMWF has been the first operational weather centre to publish results of its own global machine-learned weather model and to provide them to users in an easily accessible way. We believe AI will transform how users interact with our data and services, and this role will be fundamental in reshaping that relationship.

In this role, you will lead the User Applications and Services team in the Development Section of the Forecasts and Services Department. The primary focus of the team is to develop user-facing tools, services and applications for accessing, analysing, processing and visualising earth system data . This will include exploring and adopting new technologies, constantly adapting and innovating and matching those developments to the needs of our internal and external users. As such, you will work closely with the other teams across the organisation as well as with our Member States and Users. You will gather feedback and requirements to improve the ECMWF software and services and occasionally travel to meet external stakeholders to ensure best delivery. You will also seek to stay up-to-date in a constantly changing technology landscape, as we aim to be ahead of the curve, in order to maintain ECMWF’s world-leading position for global weather prediction.

Main duties and key responsibilities

In this role you will:

• Lead and mentor a team of skilled developers in creating and maintaining user-facing applications and services for both internal and external stakeholders
• Lead the innovation in the space of user interaction with ECMWF’s applications and services, including the development of API endpoints for data access and weather forecast product visualisation
• Oversee the development of highly interactive applications, such as ecCharts and open charts https://charts.ecmwf.int
• Manage the evolution of ECMWF’s data services portals, including the data catalogues
• Ensure consistency in user experience and interface design across various ECMWF web applications
• Lead efforts in preparing new services for ECMWF’s transition to open data, focusing on data discovery, access, processing, and visualization
• Collaborate across ECMWF, Copernicus, and Destination Earth projects to facilitate knowledge exchange and develop interoperable solutions
• Manage project timelines , external contractors, resources, and budgets effectively to meet organisational goals

What we’re looking for

• Strong leadership skills with the ability to inspire and motivate a diverse team of professionals, across 2 sites
• Excellent communication skills, adept at translating complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences
• Strategic thinker with a vision for leveraging emerging technologies to enhance ECMWF’s services
• Enthusiasm for keeping up-to-date with the evolving technological landscape
• Collaborative mindset, capable of working effectively across departments and with external partners
• User-centric approach to product development, with a keen eye for user experience and interface design
• Adaptability and resilience in a fast-paced, evolving technological landscape
• Highly organised with the capacity to work on a diverse range of tasks to tight deadlines

Education

• Advanced university degree (EQ7 level or above) or equivalent professional experience in computer science or engineering, computational science, physics or natural sciences, mathematics, or a related discipline

Experience, Knowledge and Skills

• Demonstrated experience in software development, preferably in a leadership role
• Proven track record in developing and deploying large-scale, user-facing web applications and services
• Strong expertise in modern web technologies, RESTful APIs, and backend technologies
• Familiarity with data visualization techniques and libraries. Experience within the context of scientific or meteorological data would be an advantage
• Knowledge of best practices in modern UI/UX design and accessibility standards
• Understanding of data formats common in meteorology and earth sciences is highly desirable
• Experience in Agile development and project management
• Strong knowledge of software lifecycle maintenance and developing software for high-availability operational environments would be an advantage
• Candidates must be able to work effectively in English and interviews will be conducted in English
• Good knowledge of one of the Centre’s other working languages (French or German) would be an advantage

The above knowledge, skills and experience would be an advantage. However, we encourage you to apply even if you feel you do not meet all these criteria.

Other information

Grade remuneration The successful candidate will be recruited at the A3 grade, according to the scales of the Co-ordinated Organisations. ECMWF also offers a generous benefits package, including a flexible teleworking policy. The position is assigned to the employment category STF-C as defined in the ECMWF Staff Regulations. Full details of salary scales and allowances available on the ECMWF website at www.ecmwf.int/en/about/jobs, including the ECMWF Staff Regulations and the terms and conditions of employment.

Starting date: As soon as possible

As a multi-site organisation, ECMWF has adopted a hybrid working model that allows flexibility to staff to mix office working and teleworking. We allow for remote work 10 days/month away from the office, including up to 80 days/year away from the duty station country (within the area of our member states and co-operating states).

Successful applicants and members of their family forming part of their households will be exempt from immigration restrictions.

Interviews will take place via videoconference (MS Team). If you require any special accommodations in order to participate fully in our recruitment process, please contact us via email: [email protected]

Who can apply

Applicants are invited to complete the online application form by clicking on the apply button below.

At ECMWF, we consider an inclusive environment as key for our success. We are dedicated to ensuring a workplace that embraces diversity and provides equal opportunities for all, without distinction as to race, gender, age, marital status, social status, disability, sexual orientation, religion, personality, ethnicity and culture. We value the benefits derived from a diverse workforce and are committed to having staff that reflect the diversity of the countries that are part of our community, in an environment that nurtures equality and inclusion.

Applications are invited from nationals from ECMWF Member States and Cooperating States, listed below:

ECMWF Member and Co-operating States are: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Hungary, Germany, Georgia, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Montenegro, Morocco, the Netherlands, Norway, North Macedonia, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the United Kingdom.

In these exceptional times, we also welcome applications from Ukrainian nationals for this vacancy.

Applications from nationals from other countries may be considered in exceptional cases.