The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) is an intergovernmental organisation of European nations. Its mission is to serve and support its Member and cooperating states and the wider community by developing and providing world-leading global numerical weather prediction.
Space for Early Warning in Africa
The European Commission’s Directorate-General for International Partnerships (DG INTPA) has launched an initiative to enhance the strategic Africa-EU partnership in space. One of the specific objectives is focused on Space and green Transition, with a focus on Early Warning. With this, DG INTPA aims to stimulate partnerships to develop space-based services, applications, and tools to strengthen Early Warning Systems for hazardous weather and climate-related events.
ECMWF is anticipated to be one of the implementing partners. Subject to approval, the Action is expected to start in January 2025 and be implemented until the end of December 2028. The ECMWF activities will also be implemented closely with the other two implementing partners, the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT) and the African Union Commission(AUC).
Role Overview: Partnership Management and Training Specialist – Space for Early Warnings in Africa
ECMWF seeks a Partnership Management and Training Specialist – Space for Early Warnings in Africa. In this role, the successful candidate will manage all partnership and training activities implemented through grants and procurements with European and African partners. Additionally, they will facilitate the creation of ownership by the African institutions of the action outcomes.
The Partnership Management and Training Specialist will act as the contact point for the European Commission DG International Partnerships (DG INTPA) for the Action and manage, together with the Grants Officers and other colleagues and the ECMWF activities, in accordance with the agreement. This includes planning, resource management, and quality assurance.
Main Duties and Key Responsibilities
- Take a lead role in coordinating the implementation of the Action and act as the contact point with the DG INTPA.
- Ensure the technical implementation and budget planning align with the Description of Action.
- Coordinate with the Administration and Grants Officer on finance, legal, grants and contract aspects.
- Establish close partnerships with the African Regional Coordination Centres(RCCs), European National Meteorological and Hydrological Services(NMHSs), and other stakeholders and users in accordance with the Action’s indicative activities.
- Lead the procurement and implementation of a scoping study to map existing initiatives, collect user requirements, identify priorities and develop an action plan.
- Coordinate and contribute to assessing user requirements and managing related expectations and needs regarding regional actions on early warning in Africa.
Skills and Experiences
- Demonstrated experience in coordination of international and multi-partner projects or activities.
- Experience in data value chains on early warning systems of hazardous weather and climate-related events.
- Understanding the challenges developing countries face in meteorology, hydrology, and climate is desirable.
- Experience in managing contracts and grants is an asset. Knowledge of the roles and responsibilities of the World Meteorological Organisation(WMO) and European NMHSs and similar or related entities in the early warning of hazardous weather and climate-related events is desirable.
- Working knowledge of other languages relevant to the project, particularly French and Portuguese, is an advantage. Additionally, candidates should be able to work effectively in English.
Employment Conditions and Benefits
This role offers a competitive salary and benefits package, with the post graded A2 according to the scales of the coordinated Organisations. The expected NET annual salary is GBP 73,095 (UK) or EUR 89,169 (DE). ECMWF also offers a generous benefits package, including a flexible teleworking policy. The position is assigned to the employment category STF-PL, defined in the ECMWF Staff Regulations.
Starting Date: January 2025
Location: Reading, UK or Bonn, Germany (Candidates are expected to relocate to the duty station)
Deadline for applications: 18/12/2024
Department: Forecasts and Services
How to Apply
Applicants are invited to complete the online application form by clicking on this link.
ECMWF considers an inclusive environment key to its success and is dedicated to ensuring a workplace that embraces diversity and provides equal opportunities for all. Applications are invited from nationals of the ECMWF Member States, and Cooperating States listed here.
For further information, please visit here.
Click here to get real time data and information on every Segments and players in the African space and satellite industry.
