E T Consultant- Senior Hydrometeorology and Early Warnings Consultant

Job #: req36629
Organization: World Bank
Sector: Urban
Grade: EC3
Term Duration:  1 year 0 months
Recruitment Type: International Recruitment
Location: Brussels,Belgium
Required Language(s): English
Preferred Language(s): French, Spanish or Portuguese
Closing Date: 5/22/2026 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Description

Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? Working at the World Bank provides a unique opportunity for you to help our clients solve their greatest development challenges. The World Bank consists of two entities – the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and the International Development Association (IDA). It is a global development cooperative owned by 189 member countries. As the largest development bank in the world, the World Bank provides loans, guarantees, risk management products, and advisory services to middle-income and creditworthy low-income countries, and coordinates responses to regional and global challenges. For more information, please visit www.worldbank.org.
Infrastructure Vertical
The WBG Infrastructure Vertical provides public and private solutions to operational teams and clients across the WBG to produce scalable impact. Its mandate is to deliver knowledge for impact to support the WBG to achieve its goals in support of our mission and specifically: providing guidance on creating more and better jobs by: (i) supporting foundational infrastructure and human capital, (ii) policy environment, and (iii) enabling and mobilizing private sector capital. With 60 years of experience, the WBG is poised to support the sector becoming an engine of growth and jobs through improving policies and governance, foundational infrastructure and private sector investments. The WBG lending in the sector is expected to grow substantially. The Infrastructure VPU’s objectives in driving outcomes include replicating and scaling effective solutions, enhancing thought leadership and innovation, and delivering timely knowledge to client teams.   For more information: https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/infrastructure
The Disaster Management, Solutions & Impact Unit (KIUSD) supports low and middle-income countries to understand, manage, and reduce their risks from natural hazards and climate change. Within KIUSD, the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR) umbrella trust fund is a global partnership that helps low- and middle-income countries better understand and reduce their vulnerability to natural hazards and climate change. GFDRR supports analytics and technical assistance to governments in the most vulnerable countries and communities where it will have the greatest positive impact. As a donor-funded program, GFDRR consults regularly with donors and actively strives to maintain and develop new partnerships for increased impact. For more information: https://www.gfdrr.org/en
The KIUSD Hydromet Services and Early Warning Systems (HM/EWS) Thematic Area was created in 2011 to support client countries improve hydromet, climate and early warning services by upgrading technological systems, strengthening institutions and providing technical assistance and knowledge products in partnership with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and other specialized agencies. Over the past decade, the program has improved capacity in many countries by extending warning lead times, increasing forecast accuracy and usefulness, upgrading infrastructure, and strengthening institutions. It has advanced regional priorities through initiatives such as the Central Asia Hydromet Modernization Project, the Africa Hydromet Program, and Caribbean EWS support, and catalyzed partnerships like the South Asia Hydromet Forum—where GFDRR helped build capacity and inform policy (e.g., economic valuation of services, improved weather and flood forecasting in Bangladesh). The Program has also deepened collaboration with WMO and other stakeholders, coordinated financing through mechanisms like CREWS, and supported Bank operations by mobilizing partner expertise.
Despite these gains, hydromet remains complex for developing countries facing persistent financial, technical, and sustainability constraints. Earlier investments, often embedded in sector projects, prioritized equipment purchases without adequately addressing institutional capacity and service delivery, limiting long‑term impact. Dedicated hydromet projects then pursued end‑to‑end modernization, but often outlasted typical project timelines and placed insufficient emphasis on last‑mile services.
In its next phase, the Program will prioritize delivery of high‑quality, actionable early warnings and critical weather services to beneficiaries—fit for purpose and fit for budget—while strengthening the hydromet value chain. It will guide the design and implementation of operations that reinforce last‑mile delivery, support sectoral decision‑making, and advance modernization through collaboration with international partners (e.g., WMO, SOFF, CREWS, EW4All). 
Please note this position is financed by a Trust Fund and renewal is contingent upon availability of funding, in addition to other factors, including but not limited to business needs, staff performance and skills fit.
Job Duties and Responsibilities:
The Extended Term Consultant (ETC) will support the implementation of the HM/EWS Program. The Consultant will provide operational and technical support to deliver key program components that enhance hydromet and EWS project outcomes and strengthen donor coordination, and will contribute to the Program’s knowledge and learning agenda. The assignment includes upstream and implementation support to World Bank operations, development of practical guidance and tools, and facilitation of partnerships in alignment with the Bank’s climate and development objectives. Specifically, the Consultant will contribute to:
• Strengthening operational capacity in the design and implementation of sustainable hydromet and EWS services (across the project cycle), with a focus on last‑mile delivery and sectoral integration for reliable decision support.
• Improving the integration of hydromet and EWS into decision-making in client countries to enhance resilience, protect livelihoods, and foster economic growth.
• Leveraging technical expertise, knowledge exchange, and partnerships (e.g., WMO, SOFF, CREWS, EW4All) to deliver actionable technical assistance, operational tools, and strategic coordination aligned with the World Bank’s climate and development agenda.
The Consultant will undertake the following tasks: 
i) Technical Assistance to Operations
• Lead and contribute to upstream diagnostics and co-design of HM/EWS components in Bank operations (e.g., IPFs, PforRs, MPAs, CERCs), including fit‑for‑purpose modernization pathways (institutional arrangements, O&M, service delivery models, data governance).
• Support the implementation through procurement packaging advice, TOR drafting/review, and vendor/consultancy supervision approaches; help operationalize streamlined pathways for accessing WMO technical services where appropriate.
• Develop and apply methods for estimating beneficiaries and societal value of HM/EWS investments, including sectoral use cases and distributional considerations (e.g., women, vulnerable populations, private sector).
• Strengthen M&E by proposing indicators (availability, reliability, lead‑time, accuracy, reach/uptake, sectoral outcomes) and setting up feedback loops with end users to enhance last‑mile effectiveness.
ii) Knowledge and Learning
• Lead and contribute to practical guidance for teams on measuring impacts of hydromet investments within operational results frameworks (indicator catalogues, data collection protocols, verification approaches).
• Prepare concise technical notes, checklists, and templates (e.g., readiness assessments, co‑production guidance, sectoral decision‑support templates) to accelerate operational uptake.
iii) Partnerships and Strategic Coordination
• Coordinate with partners (WMO, ITU, IFRC, regional bodies, leading NMHSs) to align technical assistance and investments with Bank operations and country demand; map and flag coordination opportunities/risks.
• Support knowledge exchange with academia and innovators on fit‑for‑context technologies (e.g., low‑cost observing systems, nowcasting, impact‑based forecasting, digital platforms, AI/analytics) and sustainable business models for HM/EWS services.
• Provide inputs to donor coordination fora to reduce fragmentation and harmonize standards—especially in FCV and climate‑vulnerable contexts.
Coordination 
The Consultant will report to the Manager of the Disaster Management, Solutions and Impact Unit (KIUSD). Activities will be coordinated with the Urban, Subnational Finance, Tourism and Disaster Management Global Department task teams and other relevant departments (e.g., Water, Transport, Agriculture, Energy, Digital Development), and with focal points for WMO/SOFF/CREWS/EW4All as needed. 

Selection Criteria

• Advanced degree (MSc or PhD) in atmospheric sciences, hydrology, or a related field, and at least 8 years of experience spanning research and development and NMHS operations and management.
• Experience in working with National Meteorological or Hydrological Services (or related organization) and with the World Meteorological Organization, its institutions, and constituent bodies.
• Knowledge of atmospheric phenomena and weather impacts; numerical prediction; observation and forecasting systems; methods of service delivery; relevant meteorological laws/regulations; and operational models for weather, water, and climate services.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience in the design, deployment, operations, and maintenance of hydrometeorological observing networks and systems, such as weather radars, upper‑air (radiosonde) systems, automated land‑based stations, hydrological gauges, and related communications/data integration infrastructure, including performance monitoring, calibration, and lifecycle management.
• Experience in meteorological and/or hydrometeorological modernization projects; familiarity with World Bank procedures for project and program design and development is an advantage.
• Proven ability to manage multiple workstreams and coordinate with diverse teams.
• Proficiency in English; additional language skills (French, Spanish, or Portuguese) are an asset.
• Good overall knowledge of the WBG, its mission and strategy. Familiarity with WB operations, policies and procedures on disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation. 
• Experience working with a wide range of stakeholders, NGOs, private sector, development partners, and/or government agencies.
• Ability to effectively interact with internal and external clients at all levels in a multicultural environment and to exercise judgment and discretion in dealing with sensitive matters.
• Good understanding of communication strategies, tools, and approaches relating reporting results and impact to increase GFDRR’s overall visibility.  
• Excellent sense of initiative, drive for results and client orientation, coupled with strong planning and organizational skills.

WBG Culture Attributes:

1. Sense of urgency: Anticipate and quickly respond to the needs of internal and external stakeholders.
2. Thoughtful risk-taking: Challenge the status quo and push boundaries to achieve greater impact.
3. Empowerment and accountability: Empower yourself and others to act and hold each other accountable for results.

World Bank Group Core Competencies

As per WBG policy, an Extended Term (ET) appointment is subject to a lifetime maximum of three (3) years. Former and current ET staff who have completed or are in the process of completing their third-year ET appointment are not eligible for future ET appointments.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity and inclusive employer with a dedicated and committed workforce, and do not discriminate based on gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability.

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