Policy Officer - Early Warning/DRR Expert (SEWA)(ARBE)

Purpose of Job

The African Union Commission (AUC) has secured funding from the European Union for the implementation of the Space for Early Warning in Africa (SEWA) project. The main objective of SEWA is to enhance the capacity to produce and deliver space-based services and applications, data, and information for early warning systems related to hazardous weather or climate events. The AUC is responsible for the overall continental coordination of the project, which has five outputs:

1. Improved access to, processing, applicability, and use of Earth Observation (EO) data, focusing on meteorological data and Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) products and services for Early Warning;
2. Established and operated African Meteorological Satellite Application Facility (AMSAF), including possible support for forecasting capabilities at different ranges;
3. Co-designed and delivered Impact-Based Forecast services and tools;
4. Enhanced coordination with institutional frameworks for hazardous weather and climate Early Warning and shared knowledge across regions;
5. Strengthened human capacities, knowledge, and community shaping across the Early Warning value chain with a focus on space-based data and technologies.

Main Functions

The Policy Officer (Early Warning/DRR Expert), working closely with the Meteorology Expert, will:

• Provide expertise in early warning and make technical follow-ups with the DRR and early warning stakeholders.
• Support training activities to enhance capacities in the development and use of early warning products.
• Foster networks with academia, research, and training institutions, including DRR and early warning communities.
• Promote synergy building with meteorological communities and other sectors that utilize early warnings.

Specific Responsibilities

• Support the implementation of SEWA-related activities, including preparing and developing reports, budgets, and project work plans.
• Actively contribute to the development of regional strategies, policies, programs, and plans to strengthen SEWA systems.
• Provide technical and administrative support to the Programme Coordinator in all SEWA-related activities.
• Work closely with Member States and partners to facilitate strengthening of new/existing DRR/EW-related User Interface Platforms (UIPs) in the regions.
• Support development and access to customized anticipatory action triggers, mapping of key hazards, and the production of risk maps at regional and national levels.
• Facilitate networking and foster peer-to-peer experience sharing among SEWA countries and regions.
• Provide support to the establishment and implementation of the governance arrangements of AMSAF.
• Offer technical support in the development of resource mobilization strategies, ensuring alignment with regional stakeholders.
• Support the organization of the biennial African fora for the project’s lifespan.
• Ensure coordination with the AMHEWAS programme and with international relevant bodies related to EO data needs.
• Facilitate collaboration between weather and climate agencies, research institutions, and technology companies.
• Liaise with WMO Regional Training Centres on the delivery of tailored trainings to experts from RCCs and Member States.
• Perform any other related duties assigned by the supervisor.

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• Master’s degree in environmental studies, Sustainable Development, Geography, Meteorology, Climatology, or related field with a minimum of two (2) years relevant work experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in the same fields with a minimum of five (5) years in multi-hazard early warning systems.
• Experience in environmental and natural resources management, climate change adaptation, and mitigation.
• Experience in projects delivering environmental and climate services or remote sensing and GIS is an added advantage.
• Technical expertise in supporting multi-hazard early warning programmes with emphasis on strengthening spatial technologies and earth observation (EO).

Required Skills

• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Sound planning and organizational skills.
• Ability to negotiate diplomatically.
• Ability to delegate appropriate responsibility and decision-making authority.
• Proficiency in one of the AU working languages; fluency in another AU language is an added advantage.

Skills Required:

• Civil / Engineering / Cotm
• Environmental / Natural / Resource
• Social / Science / Project / Management / Development