Sr. Programme Associate

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.

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

Source: https://wd3.myworkdaysite.com/en-US/recruiting/wfp/job_openings/job/Kathmandu-NepalThe-Fed-DemRepublic/Sr-Programme-Associate–Meteorologist-_JR108203-1