CONSULTANCY - Pre-Site Acceptance Test (SAT) training on SYNERGIE Web Forecasting Products and Operational Forecasting Applications for three IOC countries - SSA-2026-TCU-DPPD-25

Background

As part of the implementation and operationalization of the SYNERGIE Web platform within participating countries, dedicated training sessions will be conducted prior to the Site Acceptance Test (SAT). The training aims to strengthen the capacity of chief operational forecasters and key technical personnel in generating, visualizing, interpreting, communicating, and applying forecasting products available through the platform.

A five-day regional training workshop will be conducted in both Mauritius, and in Seychelles approximately one week before the Site Acceptance Test (SAT). 

The training will focus on monitoring, nowcasting and forecasting of tropical cyclones, monsoons, and other phenomena in the SWIO Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) using the SYNERGIE Web platform. Additional training events are envisaged in 2027 by the IOC to further strengthen operational forecasting capabilities and extend training opportunities to a broader group of national forecasting officers.

This consultancy/mission is supported by the CREWS SWIO project and will be conducted in close coordination with a team of experts involved in the SAT process.

Objective

The overall objective of the training is to build the operational capacity of Chief Operational Forecasters and key forecasting personnel to effectively use SYNERGIE Web for monitoring, nowcasting and forecasting products discovery, access, process, display, analysis, interpretation, communication, and decision support in advance of the Site Acceptance Tests.

Specific objectives are to:

• Strengthen participants' understanding of monitoring, nowcasting and forecasting products available through SYNERGIE Web;
• Enhance skills in discovery, access to data, product analysis, interpretation, and forecast uncertainty assessment;
• Improve forecast verification, validation, calibration, communication and briefing practices;
• Familiarize participants with cyclone and monsoon forecasting products and methodologies;
• Update knowledge and understanding on key local scale, mesoscale, synoptic-scale and large-scale drivers influencing extreme weather events in the region and each country;
• Promote a seamless forecasting approach linking large-scale climate drivers to weather-scale forecasting applications;
• Support operational readiness for the Site Acceptance Test phase with catalogue of operational products for weather monitoring,  nowcasting and forecasting practices as well as documentation for operation of the workstation.

Duties and Responsibilities

The supervisor will be the CREWS SWIO Team and the Heads of the NMHSs of Comoros, Mauritius and Seychelles, in coordination of the WMO Representative for Eastern and Southern Africa.

The consultant will work in coordination with other consultants and experts implicated in the SAT and training before the SAT, the project manager of CREWS SWIO and Team, the IOC/HYDRMET Regional Coordinator and Team Lead as required.

Monsoon Forecasting.

• Delivering training on nowcast and forecast analysis and product generation;
• Presenting forecasting approaches from few days to few weeks ahead
• Training participants on interpretation of forecasting products;
• Providing guidance on uncertainty estimation and forecast communication;
• Providing catalogue of cyclone and monsoon forecasting products;
• Supporting the preparation of products and related technical notes for forecast briefings using SYNERGIE WEB in collaboration with MFI designated thematic expert;
• Providing practical guidance on interpretation of products generated through SYNERGIE Web;
• Liaising with MFI thematic expert and contributing to training modules on monsoon, cyclone,  ITCZ, and other drivers forecasting with emphasis on extremes.

Cyclone Forecasting.

• Developing and presenting a catalogue of forecasting and diagnostic products on cyclones and monsoon available through SYNERGIE Web;
• Delivering training on monsoon and cyclone nowcasting and forecasting methodologies;
• Training participants on product generation and interpretation in collaboration with designated MFI thematic expert;
• Contributing to training modules on local to mesoscale, synoptic and large-scale drivers of tropical cyclone and monsoon onset, development and decay

Main deliverables

The consultant will provide the following deliverables to WMO

• Deliverable 1 (December 2026 – 20%): a detailed training plans and materials.
• Deliverable 2 (February 2027 – 80%): Training sessions reports including gaps to address on nowcasting and forecasting up to a few days to a few weeks.

Required Skills and Experience

Education: Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Meteorology, Atmospheric Sciences, Climate Science, Environmental Sciences, Physics, Applied Mathematics, Geosciences, or a closely related field.

Experience:

• At least 15 years of operational forecasting experience, including tropical cyclone and monsoon forecasting.
• Demonstrated experience in developing and delivering forecasting training programmes.
• Recognized expertise in tropical meteorology and forecast interpretation, preferably within the South-West Indian Ocean region.
• Experience using forecasting workstations and meteorological visualization systems such as Synergie-Web or similar platforms would be an asset

Other Requirements: 

• Advanced knowledge of operational meteorology, including weather analysis, nowcasting, short-range and medium-range forecasting.
• Expert knowledge of tropical meteorology, particularly tropical cyclone, monsoon, and Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) forecasting.
• Ability to translate complex meteorological concepts into practical guidance and operational applications for forecasters.
• Excellent presentation, facilitation, mentoring, and coaching skills.
• Ability to work effectively with international experts, National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs), and regional forecasting centres.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to support operational 

Languages: Excellent knowledge of English and French (both oral and written). Knowledge of other official languages of WMO would be an advantage.

Salary and Allowances: Pay band D - USD 620.- / USD 750.-

Duration: 10 days over a period of four months

Focal point: Bernardine Sima-a  sbernardine@wmo.int 

Applications:

Applications should be made online through the WMO e-recruitment system.

Do not send your application via multiple routes. WMO no longer accepts applications via post or email. Only applicants for whom WMO has a further interest will be contacted. Shortlisted candidates may be required to sit a written test and/or an interview.

Statements:

WMO is committed to achieving diversity and a balanced workforce. Applications are welcome from qualified women and men, including those with disabilities. The statutory retirement age is 65. Pursuant to WMO Standing Instructions, the minimum age to be eligible for consideration for vacant positions is 18, and the maximum age must enable the candidate to serve for at least the term of the contract before reaching mandatory age of separation.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

WMO does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.

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