Location: Kenya (Nairobi, with travel to Somalia under UN security clearance; if required)
Closing date: 09 May 2008
Job Description
he climatologist will be supported by a hydro-meteorologist and will be working under the general guidance of the Officer-in-Charge for Somalia, the direction of the Chief Technical Advisor and the direct supervision of the Water Resources/River Management Coordinator, and will be responsible for producing the results of the analysis of the general climatic conditions of Somalia, producing a final report and supporting the drought assessment methodology team. He/she will be responsible for:

1. Review and analysis of existing conventional and remotely sensed climatic data and information necessary for carrying out the study on analysis of general climatic conditions.
2. Analysis of climatic conditions leading to flood and drought situations; establish short and long term trends and quantify their impacts in terms of droughts & floods, water resources stresses and establish their recurrence intervals.
3. Delineate the major country climatic zones, integrate with FAO agro-ecological zones, derive the crop water requirements of major crops in the different climatic zones and set up the meteorological guidelines for irrigation farmers and pastoralists.
4. Draft the basic requirements and methods for a drought warning system including monitoring and early warning, risk assessment and contribute to the drought assessment methodology study.
5. Evaluate the use of regional and global scale satellite derived rainfall estimates and forecasts for use in Somalia, and outline methods for developing climate-based risk information in support of agricultural decision making and water management.
6. Review and evaluate the meteorological observational networks and set the basic procedures for processing data collected from these networks.
7. Produce the technical report entitled: “Analysis of the general climatic conditions of Somalia to support drought and flood warning systems”.
8. Perform any other duties as required by the Water Coordinator/River Management or CTA

Minimum Requirements:

- Minimum an M. Sc. or equivalent in climatology, meteorology or climate modelling.
- Demonstrated professional competence in the field of climate, agro-meteorology and climatic data analysis with strong background in remote sensing and strong understanding of the meteorological processes leading to droughts and floods.
- At least five (5) years of professional experience, including on issues related to climatic data analysis and modelling, at least three years of which should have been in a developing country.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills - English language is essential with demonstrated ability in report writing.
- Team player with prior work experience in complex emergencies and knowledge of the Somali language would be a distinct advantage.

This Vacancy is open to male and female candidates. Qualified Somali nationals are particularly encouraged to apply.

Duration: 4 months (fixed duration)

Candidates meeting the above qualifications are requested to submit a covering letter quoting Vacancy Announcement No. FAO/SWALIM/08/01 along with their current Curriculum Vitae and completed FAO Personal History form (available at: http://www.faoswalim.org/downloads/PHF form.doc , photocopies of certificates, name, address and e-mail address of three referees. E-mail is the preferred means of receipt and the application should be sent to vacancies@faoswalim.org. Envelopes should also clearly be marked ‘CONFIDENTIAL - FAO/SWALIM/08/01.

Applications must be received by the deadline. Late applications will not be considered. Only short listed candidates meeting the minimum requirements will be contacted.

Probable Start Date: 1st June 2008
Vacancies Contact
The Water Coordinator,
FAO SWALIM, 3rd floor,
Kalson Towers, Parklands;
P. O. Box 30470 - 00100,
Nairobi, Kenya