Air Operations Assistant - Meteorologist

Contract

This is a UNV International Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Specialist contracts.

UNMISS was established in 2011 under the auspices of the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO); subsequently, UNMISS mandate has been renewed through resolutions 2057 (2012), 2109 (2013), 2155 (2014), 2187 (2014), 2223 (2015), 2241 (Dec. 2015), 2304 (2016) and 2327 (2016), 2392 (Dec. 2017), 2406 (Mar. 2018), 2459 (Mar. 2019), 2514 (Mar. 2020), 2567 (Mar. 2021), 2625 (Mar. 2022).

Under the direct supervision of the Chief Airfields/Air Terminals Unit (CATU), the Air Operations Assistant – Meteorologist shall undertake the following tasks:

• Make weather observations and forecast with compiling, collating and timely distributing to respective users; • Produce and distribute Terminal Aerodrome Forecast (TAF) of major aerodromes of South Sudan; • Install and calibrate meteorological instruments available in the mission; • Processing, analyzing and quality controlling of meteorological data and forecasting models to produce a daily weather forecast for UN-MISS flight planners, pilots and other stakeholders; • Collecting actual weather and forecasts from different recognized websites and National Meteorological Authority of South Sudan for analysis and dissemination to users; • Developing and implementing Meteorological Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) in compliance with Department of Field Support (DFS) Aviation Manual, International Civil Aviation Organization/World Meteorological Organization (ICAO/WMO), International Air Transport Association (IATA) and host country’s Civil Aviation/Meteorological Authority Standards, other UN mission practices, procedures and regulations; • Informing/briefing flying crews and related air operations staff on actual weather, en-route weather forecast, any significant weather and prevailing weather conditions at landing sites depending on the collected information; • Ensuring flying crews are familiar with daily weather trends in terms of weather minima related to assigned Air Task Orders; • Providing briefings for Air Liaison Officers and aircrews regarding general atmospheric conditions; • Provide training on basic weather observation and dissemination techniques to all Air Liaison/Air operations officers in the mission; • Conducting pre-flight weather condition discussions, telephonic briefing on actual prevailing and en-route significant weather development as well as producing all meteorological reference documents (Flight Folders) to all flying crews and aviation personnel; • Developing and improving meteorological equipment with the objective of increasing safety of flights and cost effectiveness; • Ensuring all the weather equipment installed at different landing sites are operational and in perfect order; • Liaising with the host country’s Meteorological Authority to obtain certification for all equipment installed by the Mission from time to time; • Managing collaboration with local meteorological offices; • Carrying out additional tasks as directed and delegated by CATU;

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to: • Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for in-stance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; • Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities; • Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; • Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers; • Promote capacity development activities and transfer of skills to national personnel during the assignment; • Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

• Integrity and professionalism • Accountability • Commitment to continuous learning • Planning and organizing • Teamwork and respect for diversity • Communication • Flexibility, adaptability, and ability and willingness to operate independently • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards the UN core values.

Diploma in Meteorology or World Meteorological Organization Class II certificate. Mandatory technical/vocational training in Aeronautical Meteorology, General knowledge of international procedures and regulations for aeronautical meteorology; Have affinity with or interest in humanitarian relief, post-conflict situations, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System. Sound security awareness. Experience with UN, Non Governmental Organization (NGO) or other international body is desirable.

Living conditions vary between UNMISS duty stations. Each duty station where UNMISS has a field presence has basic residential camp facilities, which includes running water and electricity. Candidates should be aware that accommodation may be austere with the possibility of water shortages and power blackouts. On arrival in Juba accommodation will be on a share basis. Ablutions will also be shared. As the accommodation situation improves single unit accommodation, with an attached ablution, should become available in all locations. Hard wall accommodation is available in Juba.

All UNMISS duty stations apart from Entebbe, Uganda are considered non - family duty stations. The security level of UNMISS duty stations is classified by the UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) who will brief on arrival. A number of locations in South Sudan are prone to conflict.

Primary health care services (preventive and curative) are provided in 11 United Nations Owned Equipment (UNOE) Level-I clinics, 21 Contingent Owned Equipment (COE) Level-I clinics, 4 COE Level-II medical facilities within the mission area and the establishment of contractual agreements for Level-III and Level-IIII care outside the mission area. The 4 Level-II facilities available in Juba, Bor, Malakal and Wau, run by the Troop Contributing Countries (TCC), take referrals from the Level-I clinics and provide hospital-based care.

The climate is tropical with a rainy season in many areas, which should normally span from around April to October. Ability to live and work in difficult and harsh conditions is essential.