Weather Modification Expert

Result of Service

Technical and scientific advice for all operational activities that are necessary to provide efficient and effective daily weather forecasts and cloud seeding missions according to the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) weather modification program requirements.

Work Location

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Expected duration

11 months

Duties and Responsibilities

Organizational Setting, Purpose and Objective:

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. The West Asia Office delivers advisory services and capacity building support to countries to achieve environment and sustainable development objectives. This consultancy is established at the West Asia Office within the framework of the Strategic Cooperation Agreement between UNEP and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager in UNEP West Asia Office and in coordination with the National Centre for Meteorology (NCM) and the respective department in the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA) of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the expert will carry-out, inter alia, the following duties & responsibilities:

1. Propose to the NCM CEO an organization scheme for the Operational Center (OC) of the Weather Modification Program.
2. Technical contributions and advice on the daily weather briefings and provide assistance in monitoring the decision-making process for daily cloud seeding airplane flights.
3. Technical and scientific advice for any necessary adjustments to the contractor operational plans that concern everyday cloud seeding missions.
4. Technical guidance in the knowledge transfer training courses for NCM personnel on atmospheric physics and cloud seeding techniques.
5. Provide guidance on the efficiency of contractor’s operations progress reporting system to each required administration level, so it covers all NCM requirements both in terms scientific content but also with all other necessary information to monitor contract fulfillment.
6. Develop/update/review project procedures to ensure that the results are according to contract specifications and NCM guidelines.
7. Provide advice in order that all necessary data platforms and interactive application software is available on a 24/7 basis to the OC of the Weather Modification Program.
8. Technical contributions to NCM to ensure that all necessary data is archived in the NCM meteorological data base and ensure availability to research users.
9. Scientific inputs on the maintenance level of the radar and observation network needed for the operational and research phase of the cloud seeding program.
10. Design training and operational manuals for the meteorologists.
11. In cooperation with the Aviation and Maintenance Manager examine the availability for all operational staff positions that are allocated for the cloud seeding program.
12. Advise and guide the monitoring for the availability of the aircrafts that are dedicated to the program and report to the CEO administration level.
13. Design the thresholds for the cloud seeding operations in cooperation with the contractor.
14. Propose any amendments of the daily operations of the program or activity that may improve the project performance.
15. Technical evaluation of the daily cloud seeding operations of project the overall management efforts and communicates accomplishments to the CEO of the cloud seeding program.

Expected outputs and deliverables:

Output 1. An efficient organizational structure of the weather modification program as well as NCM related procedures.

Deliverables:
1.1. Guidance and finalization of a proposal of the NCM organization scheme.
1.2. Guidance on the operational objectives for the cloud seeding program.
1.3. Technical advice on operational centre setup for the cloud seeding daily operations.
1.4. Guidance on training courses and capacity building.
1.5. Technical advice to the CEO of NCM.
1.6. Proposals for amendments on the cloud seeding mobilization plan.
1.7. Monthly progress report.

Output 2. Successful design and implementation of the cloud seeding program.

Deliverables:
2.1. Guidance on the preparations for the winter cloud seeding period.
2.2. Technical advice on the program’s performance reporting system.
2.3. Guidance on the research issues related to the program.
2.4. Monthly progress report.

Qualifications/special skills

Master’s degree in meteorology or atmospheric sciences is required.
10 years of professional experience in operational weather forecasting, atmospheric physics and mesoscale meteorology, weather radar meteorology, cloud seeding techniques and usage of cloud seeding materials is required.
Experience in nowcasting, clouds numerical modelling and data analysis and management is an asset.
Experience in training courses and workshops on weather forecasting, atmospheric physics, weather modification is desirable.
Project management experience is desirable.
Knowledge of computer operating systems and interactive meteorological software and tools used in weather forecasting and data analysis is desirable.
Experience in international publications on weather modification, cloud physics and cloud seeding, and related issues is desirable.
Work experience in organizing training and workshops is desirable.

Languages

Fluency in written and spoken English is required, proficiency in Arabic is desirable.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.