Temporary Academic Staff

The CIMH is seeking to recruit a Temporary Academic Staff member to support the enhancement of climate databases for the Caribbean based on improved access to and use of remote sensing data for climatological purposes.

TEMPORARY ACADEMIC STAFF

TERMS OF REFERENCE (TOR)

1. INTRODUCTION

Climate change and increasing climate variability and their potential impacts have boosted society’s demand for tailored climate products and services. The delivery of critical climate services related to climate change and climate variability in a sustained timely manner requires computational power, model research and know-how, IT expertise, interpretation capabilities and national, regional and international collaborations.

The programme Building Regional Climate Capacity in the Caribbean is being funded by the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), delivered by World Meteorological Organization and implemented by the Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology (CIMH). The funding will assist the CIMH in building its institutional and regional capacity to sustainably deliver climate services to the Caribbean region in order to become the WMO designated Regional Climate Centre (RCC) for the Caribbean.

2. ABOUT THE CARIBBEAN INSTITUTE FOR METEOROLOGY AND HYDROLOGY

The CIMH is an Institution of the Caribbean Community and the technical Organ of the Caribbean Meteorological Organization. The mandate of the CIMH is to assist in improving and developing the Meteorological and Hydrological Services as well as providing the awareness of the benefits of Meteorology and Hydrology for the economic well-being of the CIMH member states. This is achieved through training, research, investigations, and the provision of related specialized services and advice.

In achieving its mandate, the CIMH has established an affiliation with the University of the West Indies where its primary responsibility is the delivery of the B.Sc. programme in Meteorology in the Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences. The CIMH is also recognized by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) as:

• The WMO Regional Training Centre in the Caribbean for Meteorology and Hydrology and related disciplines.
• A Regional Instrument Centre for the Caribbean.
• Centre of Excellence in Satellite Meteorology Training;
• The WMO Regional Climate Centre for the Caribbean.

In addition, the CIMH is a repository for the climate data from CMO Member States. The CIMH is also an important Caribbean centre for research and development related to Meteorology, Hydrology, Agro-Meteorology and Climate in the Caribbean. The CIMH is active in such areas of hydrological risk impacts forecasting and agricultural risks forecasting. The CIMH has strong collaborations with other Regional Institutions, national organizations in CMO Member States and the international community

3. DESCRIPTION

The CIMH is seeking to recruit a Temporary Academic Staff member to support the enhancement of climate databases for the Caribbean based on improved access to and use of remote sensing data for climatological purposes.

4. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• The successful candidate will work in a team conducting multi-disciplinary training, research and development to support:
• Enhance rainfall and non-rainfall climate databases, particularly those of atmospheric temperature and sea temperatures, at high resolution to support the application of seasonal forecasts and monitoring information, in particular using remotely sensed data;
• Capability building at the CIMH to capture and apply remotely sensed climate and satellite derived indices such as those developed for vegetation monitoring (for example the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index, NDVI; the Enhanced Vegetation Index, EVI) and soil moisture;
• Capacity at CIMH and the National Meteorological and Hydrological Services of the Member States of the Caribbean Meteorological Organization in the capture of non-rainfall related climate data as well as indices of drought and primary productivity, and in data ground-truthing and quality control.

The successful candidate will also be required to conduct regional and international travel and collaborate with US-based research institutions.

5. PROFESSIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Candidates applying for the position should have a graduate degree (M.Sc. or higher) specializing in Climate Science, Environmental Sciences, Geography or a related discipline. The candidate has an extensive proven track record (with at least 7 years’ experience in a research or operational environment) in climate and environmental monitoring using remotely sensed datasets such as satellite imagery, radar imagery, etc.

The successful candidate should have a proven track record of research and training delivery in climate or environmental monitoring and remote sensing. Extensive knowledge of existing remotely sensed and station-based climate and ecosystem health data globally and in the Caribbean is a prerequisite.

6. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

The successful candidate should be performance driven, independent, and demonstrate excellent coordination and communicational skills. Experience acquiring funding for small/mid-scale projects (USD 300-500K) would be an asset.

It is expected that the successful candidate will be familiar with (i) processing of large datasets with spreadsheet/database software, and (ii) GIS and spatial analysis tools.

Prior work experience in the Caribbean related to the core disciplines related to this project would be an asset.

The successful applicant must have written and verbal skills in the English language. Knowledge of Spanish and/or French would be an asset.

7. REMUNERATION & BENEFITS

The compensation will be commensurate with academic background and experience. The ideal candidate should be a mid-career professional. Health and pension benefits are also available.

8. DEADLINE

The deadline for applications is 5th September, 2014. Enquires and applications (curriculum vitae, certificates, list of publications, short outline of research and development ideas, and the contact information for two professional referees) should be addressed to:

David A. Farrell, Ph.D., P.G.

Principal

Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology

Husbands

St. James

Barbados

With BRCCC-2014 Temporary Academic Staff in the Subject Line

9. DURATION

The temporary, full-time position is available for 6 months, starting preferably in November or as soon as possible thereafter.

10. PLACE OF WORK

The candidate is expected to reside in Barbados during the period of employment under the project. The CIMH is an equal opportunity employer.