Meteorologist and Climate Risk Analyst

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

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ABOUT WFP

The World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity, for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

At WFP, people are at the heart of everything we do and the vision of the future WFP workforce is one of diverse, committed, skilled, and high performing teams, selected on merit, operating in a healthy and inclusive work environment, living WFP's values (Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion) and working with partners to save and change the lives of those WFP serves.

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WHY JOIN WFP? 

• WFP is a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.

• WFP offers a highly inclusive, diverse, and multicultural working environment.

• WFP invests in the personal & professional development of its employees through a range of training, accreditation, coaching, mentorship, and other programs as well as through internal mobility opportunities.

• A career path in WFP provides an exciting opportunity to work across the various country, regional and global offices around the world, and with passionate colleagues who work tirelessly to ensure that effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people across the globe.

• We offer an attractive compensation package (please refer to the Terms and Conditions section of this vacancy announcement).

JOB TITLE:
Meteorologist and Climate Risk Analyst
TYPE OF CONTRACT:
Consultancy
UNIT/DIVISION:
Forecasting and Early Warning Unit of the Food Security and Nutrition Analysis Service (PRG-FF)
DUTY STATION (City, Country):
Rome, Italy
DURATION:
Until 31 December 2026

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:
The Forecasting and Early Warning Unit of the Food Security and Nutrition Analysis Service (PRG-F) plays a critical role in anticipating and mitigating the impacts of food insecurity worldwide. By leveraging cutting-edge data analytics, forecasting models, and real-time information and providing analytical support on early warnings, the unit supports decision-making processes to preempt crises and ensure timely interventions in vulnerable regions.
The Forecasting and Early Warning Unit leads the production of the FAO-WFP Hunger Hotspots early warning report on acute food insecurity. The report contributes to issuing early warnings on food crises, and it’s a strong advocacy tool that provides recommendations on anticipatory action and emergency preparedness. Additionally, the Unit leads the Corporate Alert System (CAS), and the Watch list, corporate early warning tools and also contributes to inter-agency products such as the Early Action and Readiness (EWEAR) Report process of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC).
To fulfil these responsibilities, the Forecasting and Early Warning Unit undertakes research and analysis and collaborates with other units within the Programme division and other WFP divisions, such as the DED-COO, Nutrition service, WFP Regional Bureaux and Country Offices, other humanitarian agencies, and partners in academic and research institutions. To support these efforts, WFP is recruiting Meteorologist and Climate Risk Analyst with a proven track record of producing analysis on climate trends and drivers for food security and early warning analysis.
The Meteorologist and Climate Risk Analyst will report to the lead food security analyst within PRG-FF and be responsible for the following key duties:
 

ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Conduct systematic horizon-scanning, research and forecast emerging natural hazard risks in Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean;
• Research and identify likelihood and potential impacts of natural hazards (Impact-based forecasting), including impact trend analysis in Africa, Asia and the Pacific, and Latin America and the Caribbean;
• Draft clear analytical briefs on appropriately prioritized natural hazard risks and their potential humanitarian impacts for the Corporate Alert System (CAS), Early Warning watchlist, FAO-WFP Hunger Hotspot early warning analysis and Seasonal
• Outlooks or inputs to the Seasonal Monitor or related Regional Offices products, as well as on-demand briefs/reports;
• Conduct systematic horizon-scanning, forecast and issue flash alerts on potential sudden-onset natural hazards, in close coordination with PRG-F where warranted;
• Support the development of analytical methods and early warning tools related to seasonal natural hazard risk assessment, incl. for Seasonal Outlooks, and updating of WFP’s natural hazard early warning methodology;
• Coordinate with PRG-F, EPR, and regional VAM and EPR teams in response to emergencies and support with forecast analysis and mapping as needed;
• Collaborate with the PRG-FG to ensure quality of meteo/climate-related analysis and mapping;
• Actively coordinate with the PRG-FG and provide meteorological information for the development of tools to provide a systematic and consistent flood early warning system across WFP countries; when needed, provide additional support and advice to PRG-FG work related to weather and climate tasks;
• Support, as required, in coordination and liaison with PPG, the development of Forecast-based Financing/FbF programmes that require geospatial and impact based early warning tools and systems to alert systematically on forecasts for extreme events;
• Participate in new partnership initiatives relevant to climate and natural hazard activities with academia, research institutions, UN agencies, NGOs, Private and Public sectors in order to enhance preparedness and actions ahead of and during hazards;
• Support HQ and field colleagues on the use of forecasting tools and the interpretation of weather information and identify tailored collaboration opportunities;
• Collaborate with and train regional offices and country offices to strengthen their early warning capacity for natural hazards;
• When needed, represent WFP at climate and natural hazard events, workshops and summits and technical working groups and fora (incl. IASC meteo sub-group, FEWSNET meteo group, IASC ENSO cell);
• When needed, provide support to Training and Simulation team on natural hazard simulations and reports;
• When needed, undertake support missions to COs/ROs and provide ad-hoc and on request support to field offices;
• Any other tasks as required.

DELIVERABLES AT THE END OF THE CONTRACT:

• Contributions to the monthly early warning watch list, the Corporate Alert System, and the joint FAO-WFP Hunger Hotspots early warning reports outlining upcoming natural hazard risks.
• Production of Flash Alerts/Heads-up messages, and Seasonal Outlooks outlining upcoming natural hazard risks.
• Alerts and support to country offices and regional offices facing fast- or slow-onset natural hazards.
• Updates and sharing of risk assessments for fast-onset natural hazards for senior management, response support, information reporting officers and field offices.
• COs and ROs are fully aware of the latest climate-related products to enhance WFP capacities in preparedness and response.
• Effective working relationships and information sharing with internal and external partners on early warning and risk assessments in common areas of shared interest.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:
Education:
Master’s or Engineering degree in Meteorology, Atmospheric Science, Climate science or a related field. A PhD in meteorology, Atmospheric science, Climate Science or in a related field is a plus.
 

Experience:

• At least five years of postgraduate professional experience in short term
• and/or seasonal weather forecasting for Africa, Asia and the Pacific, and
• Latin America and the Caribbean
• Experience or study related to the use of international seasonal and subseasonal forecast models; Numerical Weather Prediction Models, GlobalClimate Models, Regional Climate Models or Cloud Resolving Models; and atmospheric or climate modelling
• Preferably experience in impact-based forecasting/analysis of potential impact of natural hazard risks
• Experience in delivering oral and written weather briefings to technical and non-technical audiences and/or contributing to multi-stakeholder reports and briefings

Knowledge Skills:

• Experience with FORTRAN, NCL, GrADS, R, Python, GIS, GEE, or similar is desirable.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision and set priorities;
• Ability to communicate clearly both orally and in writing;
• Ability to work in a team, and establish effective working relations with
• persons of different national and cultural backgrounds

WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK

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Click here to access WFP Leadership Framework

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

WFP is committed to supporting individuals with disabilities by providing reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process. If you require a reasonable accommodation, please contact:  global.inclusion@wfp.org

NO FEE DISCLAIMER

The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.

REMINDERS BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

• All applications must be submitted exclusively through our online recruiting system. We do not consider CVs or applications sent by email, LinkedIn, or any other channel.

• We strongly recommend that your Workday profile is accurate and complete, and that all sections are filled in, including your employment history, academic qualifications, language skills, and UN grade (if applicable). Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application.

• If you experience technical issues while submitting your application, you may contact us at global.hrerecruitment@wfp.org. Please note that this email is only for technical issues with an application - unsolicited applications or documents sent to this inbox will not receive a reply.

• At the application stage, the only required documents are your CV and Cover Letter. Additional documents (passport, certificates, recommendation letters, etc.) may be requested later in the process.

• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to proceed to the next stage of the recruitment process.

All employment decisions are made on the basis of organizational needs, job requirements, merit, and individual qualifications. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment free of sexual exploitation and abuse, all forms of discrimination, any kind of harassment, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. Therefore, all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), FAO Finance Committee, WFP External Auditor, WFP Audit Committee, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP, both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.