Project Officer - Meteorology 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.

Overall Coordination

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 (Meteorology Expert) provides expertise in the development and use of satellite-based meteorological products, services, and early warning information. The officer will:

• Make technical follow-ups with RCCs, NMHSs, DRR, and early warning institutions, ECMWF, EUMETSAT, and other technical institutions on AMSAF, meteorology, forecasting, and early warning.
• Coordinate training activities related to the project to enhance capacity in the development and use of meteorological products and early warning at national, regional, and continental levels.
• Foster networks with academia, research, and training institutions, including meteorological, DRR, and early warning communities.
• Track and encourage synergies with other relevant trainings proposed by other initiatives and organizations.

Specific Responsibilities

The policy officer in Meteorology will have the following responsibilities:

• Provide direct technical support to the SEWA Project Coordinator in advancing the implementation of the SEWA Programme, including preparation of relevant background technical documentation.
• Support the Coordinator in liaising and working with SEWA technical implementing partners (EUMETSAT, ECMWF), Regional Climate Centres (RCCs), NMHSs, and other stakeholders.
• Plan, implement, and support climate services development, data and infrastructure, and organization of continental meetings.
• Ensure the continuous functioning of sectoral User Interface Platforms (UIPs) and achievements under previous initiatives such as ClimSA.
• Provide technical support to AU member states in facilitating capacity building in the framework of the SEWA project.
• Support the implementation of the Integrated African Strategy on Meteorology (Weather, Water, and Climate Services).
• Assist the Project Coordinator in establishing and operationalizing the governance of AMSAF.
• Organize High-level policy dialogues for climate and weather information and strengthen strategic and institutional engagements.
• Plan and execute activities such as technical expert meetings and support the organization of various relevant events.
• Support the development and operationalization of meteorological/climate data sharing policy at the continental level.

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• A Master’s degree in meteorology, climatology, climate science, or a related field with a minimum of two (2) years of relevant experience.
• A Bachelor’s degree in meteorology, climatology, climate science, or a related field with a minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience.
• Experience in multi-stakeholder engagement with partners such as Regional Economic Communities, Regional Climate Centres, and Development agencies.
• Proven experience in working with weather/climate application centers and partners such as EUMETSAT and ECMWF.
• Experience in implementing weather and climate projects and strategies.

Skills Required:

• Applied / Natural / Science
• Civil / Engineering / Cotm
• Environmental / Natural / Resource