Early Warning Systems Specialist

The Early Warning Systems Specialist will provide strategic and technical leadership for WFP Cambodia's engagement with the Ministry of Water, River Works and Meteorology (MoWRAM) to strengthen hydrometeorological services, climate information systems, forecasting, and early warning systems. The role supports national institutions to improve observation networks, forecasting capacity, and multi-hazard early warning systems to enhance disaster preparedness and resilience.

Responsibilities

• Serve as WFP Cambodia's technical lead on hydrometeorology, climate services, forecasting, and early warning systems, ensuring alignment with national priorities and WFP strategic objectives.
• Lead technical engagement and partnership development with MoWRAM supporting long-term institutional collaboration and joint planning.
• Provide technical oversight for assessments, rehabilitation, modernization and sustainability planning of hydrometeorological observation networks, including weather, climate and hydrological monitoring infrastructure.
• Support development of DoM and DHRW’s operation and maintenance (O&M) systems and institutional capacities required to sustain observation infrastructure.
• Lead technical activities aimed at improving forecasting services, including hydrological forecasting, weather forecasting, seasonal outlooks, impact-based forecasting, and risk-informed decision support systems.
• Support integration of hydrometeorological and impact data into WFP and Government decision-support platforms, including PRISM and other relevant information management systems.
• Provide technical advice on development of user-centred climate services and forecast dissemination approaches that improve access to actionable information for disaster management agencies and at-risk communities.
• Support development of forecasting products, warning protocols, trigger mechanisms and operational arrangements that enhance preparedness, anticipatory action and emergency response.
• Coordinate technical collaboration with relevant national, regional and international organizations, including WMO, UN agencies, research institutions, development banks and specialized technical partners.
• Provide technical inputs to national planning processes, technical working groups, policies, strategies, roadmaps and investment plans related to disaster risk reduction, hydrometeorological services, climate information and early warning systems.
• Identify opportunities and support development of new programmes, concept notes, climate finance proposals and resource mobilization initiatives related to climate resilience, early warning systems, anticipatory action and disaster preparedness.
• Generate technical evidence, lessons learned, analytical products, assessments and knowledge products to support programme design, policy engagement and donor reporting.
• Strengthen internal technical capacity within WFP through training, coaching, development of guidance materials and technical advisory support to programme teams.
• Prepare high-quality technical reports, workplans, briefing notes, presentations and donor updates, ensuring effective communication of programme results and strategic priorities.
• Undertake other related duties as required to support implementation of WFP's integrated risk management and disaster preparedness portfolio.

Requirements

• Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Meteorology, Hydrology, Atmospheric Sciences, Water Resources Engineering, Instrumentation Control/Civil Engineering, or another closely related field.
• Minimum 8 years of progressively responsible professional experience in meteorology, hydrology, instrumentation engineering, climate services, or closely related technical fields.
• Demonstrated experience working with National Meteorological and Hydrological Services or equivalent government agencies responsible for weather, climate and water information services.
• Proven experience supporting design, procurement, installation and maintenance of hydro-met instruments (e.g. automatic weather stations, automatic rain and/or water-level gauges).
• Experience with development, management and/or maintenance of real-time data acquisition systems, data management systems, quality controls and field data management plans is highly desirable.
• Experience developing or applying forecasting systems, climate services, impact-based forecasting approaches, or early warning products for operational decision-making is desirable.
• Strong track-record providing technical advisory work and capacity strengthening in developing countries is desirable.
• Experience coordinating with government agencies, UN organizations, development partners, research institutions and technical service providers is desirable.
• Experience in programme design, proposal development, donor engagement or climate finance initiatives is desirable.
• Working experience in Cambodia and/or Southeast Asia is an advantage.
• Strong technical understanding of meteorological, hydrological and climate observation systems and instruments.
• Knowledge of weather forecasting, hydrological forecasting, climate prediction and impact-based forecasting methodologies.
• Understanding of multi-hazard early warning systems and disaster risk management frameworks.
• Familiarity with hydrometeorological data management, quality control, interoperability and information sharing systems.
• Demonstrated ability to translate technical information into actionable recommendations for decision-makers.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement, facilitation and partnership management skills.
• Strong analytical, report-writing and presentation skills.
• Ability to work independently while managing multiple priorities in a multicultural environment.
• Knowledge of climate adaptation, anticipatory action, disaster preparedness, shock-responsive systems and climate risk financing is desirable.
• Fluent in English.

Skills

• Meteorology
• Hydrology
• Instrumentation Engineering
• Climate Services
• Hydro-met Instrumentation
• Automatic Weather Stations
• Real-time Data Acquisition
• Data Management
• Quality Control
• Field Data Management
• Forecasting Systems
• Impact-Based Forecasting
• Early Warning Systems
• Technical Advisory
• Capacity Strengthening
• Programme Design
• Proposal Development
• Donor Engagement Strategies
• Climate Finance
• Meteorological Observation Systems
• Hydrological Forecasting
• Climate Prediction
• Disaster Risk Management
• Hydrometeorological Data Management
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Report Writing
• Presentation Skills

Languages

English