CONSULTANCY - Site Acceptance Test (SAT) support for three IOC countries - SSA-2026-TCU-DPPD-26

Background

The Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) Member States are implementing the HYDROMET project for building regional resilience through strengthening meteorological, hydrological and climate services.

Component 2 of the HYDROMET project contributes to the modernization and updating of information and communication systems including the acquisition, installation and commissioning of SYNERGIE WEB workstations for forecasters. This activity also contributes to the implementation in the southwest Indian Ocean region of the priority of the African meteorology strategy on the digitalization of hydrological and meteorological services in Africa. 

The synergie-Web integration platform is designed to function as a collaborative network, linking multiple components such as data, models, institutions, and users to generate more effective and integrated outcomes than any single component could achieve independently.

To ensure the operational reliability and technical performance of this system, a Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) was conducted at the supplier’s premises (MFI in Toulouse) with the purpose to verify that the complete system, including its key components such as the data ingestion system, forecasting platforms, databases and storage, user interfaces, and interoperability features functions according to countries functional, technical and operational requirements as well as the workstation design intent prior to delivery and installation in the forecast office. 

Following the FAT is the SAT with the purpose of conducting at beneficiary’s (Comoros, Mauritius and Seychelles) premises a control to ensure that the complete system was deployed and is operational after the delivery and installation in the forecast offices. The SAT will include training and documentation sharing for workstation operation and maintenance ensuring operational readiness. 

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.

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.

The consultant shall provide technical and operational check support to ensure that the Synergie-Web system operates as required once installed in each country.

Verification of requirements.

• Review all relevant documentation including requirements, functional and technical specifications, system design documents from the inception phase, acceptance criteria, punch list from FAT
• Assess and validate the SAT plans and procedures proposed by supplier
• Develop or refine test scenarios, test cases covering functional, integration, safety and compliance to applicable regulations, standards and good practices as well as performance aspects
• Define and agree on clear success and acceptance criteria for all tests

Ensure compliance with requirements.

• Participate in SAT sessions conducted at the beneficiary’s premises        
• Witness and validate system testing including data ingestion, system integration across components, forecast workflows and tools, user interface functionality.
• Verify data flows and interoperability, system performance and stability, error handling and recovery
• Assess overall system compliance with technical specifications and operational requirements.
• Identify non-conformities and deficiencies, risks and performance issues, and provide clear and actionable recommendations for corrective measures where necessary corrective actions.
• Check the operational start of the systems.
• Check safety regulations, operating resources, energy performance, and compliance with regulations, standards and guidelines.
• Check operational readiness

Main deliverables

The consultant will provide the following deliverables to WMO

Deliverable 1 (December 2026 – 20%): a detailed plan including test objectives methodological approach and timeline. 

Deliverable 2 (March 2027 – 80%): Catalogue of operational products (for nowcasting and short-range forecasting) to be generated and/or displayed as part of the training sessions of SAT 

•  SAT results document and related consultant’s evaluation to determine if requirements are met. 
• A list of issues with recommendation for operations improvement for the three countries.

Planned travels

Three travels are planned to the three beneficiary countries – Comoros, Mauritius and Seychelles.

Required Skills and Experience

Education: Advanced degree in applied meteorology, or Atmospheric science, IT systems / data engineering

Experience: 

• At least 10 years' experience in supporting meteorological systems or forecast office operations, data management systems and system integration. 
• Knowledge of testing complex IT systems and Forecast platforms.

Other Requirements: 

• sense of responsibility, flexibility, maturity of judgement, initiative, originality of ideas and ability to work independently and in a team.
• Ability to identify technical and operational problems in a Synergie-Web based integrated system.
• ability to write and synthesize technical documents.

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 4 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.

Scam alert

WMO does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). WMO will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.