DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

30 August 2026-23:59-GMT+07:00 Indochina Time (Phnom Penh)

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ABOUT WFP

The World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity, for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

At WFP, people are at the heart of everything we do and the vision of the future WFP workforce is one of diverse, committed, skilled, and high performing teams, selected on merit, operating in a healthy and inclusive work environment, living WFP's values (Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion) and working with partners to save and change the lives of those WFP serves.

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WHY JOIN WFP? 

• WFP is a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.

• WFP offers a highly inclusive, diverse, and multicultural working environment.

• WFP invests in the personal & professional development of its employees through a range of training, accreditation, coaching, mentorship, and other programs as well as through internal mobility opportunities.

• A career path in WFP provides an exciting opportunity to work across the various country, regional and global offices around the world, and with passionate colleagues who work tirelessly to ensure that effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people across the globe.

• We offer an attractive compensation package (please refer to the Terms and Conditions section of this vacancy announcement).

This vacancy announcement is open to non-Cambodian nationals only.

 

JOB TITLE: Early Warning Systems Specialist

TYPE OF CONTRACT: International Consultant, Regular Contract

UNIT/DIVISION: Programme

DUTY STATION: Phnom Penh, Cambodia

DURATION: 11 months

  

 

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

Assisting 86.7 million people in around 83 countries each year, the World Food Programme (WFP) is the leading humanitarian organization saving lives and changing lives, delivering food assistance in emergencies and working with communities to improve nutrition and build resilience.

WFP has been operationally present in Cambodia for over four decades and is working under the Country Strategic Plan (CSP) 2024-28. The CSP aims to complement and contribute to the Government’s efforts to achieve zero hunger through supporting social protection, climate and disaster risk management, and food security and nutrition.

WFP is fully aware of the impact that the climate emergency is currently having in achieving Zero Hunger by 2030 (SDG 2). Cambodia is ranked as the eighth most vulnerable country to disasters. Floods and droughts frequently threaten the country’s food systems and will increase in frequency and intensity in the future. It is estimated that climate change could cause Cambodia’s GDP to be 2.5 percent lower by 2030. Climate change has been highlighted as a key factor in the changing vulnerability dynamics in Cambodia.

In the current CSP, integrated risk management features as a key pillar anchoring WFP’s commitment to strengthen resilience and food security of the Cambodian communities exposed to weather-related shocks and stresses. To achieve this, WFP supports key government agencies mandated to prepare for and manage emergencies linked to extreme weather events. This includes long-term support to the National Committee for Disaster Management (NCDM) through strengthening the agency’s information management systems, contingency planning, DRR policies and multi-stakeholder humanitarian coordination. WFP is also working closely with both NCDM and MoWRAM to promote design and application of forecast-based anticipatory approaches across national emergency preparedness and response systems. This includes targeted investments into weather and climate information systems, data-sharing protocols, climate services and adaptation programs turning available climate information into practical support for the most vulnerable communities.

The Country Office seeks an Early Warning Systems (EWS) Specialist to provide strategic and technical leadership for WFP Cambodia's engagement with MoWRAM as part of WFP’s integrated risk management portfolio. The EWS Specialist will serve as WFP's principal technical focal point for hydrometeorological services, climate information systems, forecasting and early warning, supporting national institutions to strengthen observation networks, climate services, impact-based forecasting capacity, and multi-hazard early warning systems.

Working closely with DoM/DHRW, NCDM, UN agencies and development partners, the incumbent will lead technical design, implementation and oversight of activities that strengthen Cambodia's capacity to anticipate, prepare for, and respond to sudden-onset disasters. The role will also support operationalization of EW4All initiative, for which WFP serves as the designated UN focal agency in Cambodia, while contributing to WFP Cambodia’s program development, resource mobilization, evidence generation, and building partnerships in the climate and disaster risk management sector.

This role will provide specialized technical support to advance WFP Cambodia’s climate risk management portfolio within a broader framework of the Early Warnings for All (EW4All) initiative. The incumbent will provide technical assistance to the Department of Meteorology (DoM) and Department of Hydrology and River Works (DHRW) under the Ministry of Water, River Works and Meteorology (MoWRAM) to support development of the national early earning systems infrastructure improving resilience and food security of at-risk populations in Cambodia.

 

ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

Under the direct supervision of the Team Lead for Integrated Risk Management, the Early Warning Systems Specialist will undertake the following tasks:

• Serve as WFP Cambodia's technical lead on hydrometeorology, climate services, forecasting, and early warning systems, ensuring alignment with national priorities and WFP strategic objectives.

• Lead technical engagement and partnership development with MoWRAM supporting long-term institutional collaboration and joint planning.

• Provide technical oversight for assessments, rehabilitation, modernization and sustainability planning of hydrometeorological observation networks, including weather, climate and hydrological monitoring infrastructure.

• Support development of DoM and DHRW’s operation and maintenance (O&M) systems and institutional capacities required to sustain observation infrastructure.

• Lead technical activities aimed at improving forecasting services, including hydrological forecasting, weather forecasting, seasonal outlooks, impact-based forecasting, and risk-informed decision support systems.

• Support integration of hydrometeorological and impact data into WFP and Government decision-support platforms, including PRISM and other relevant information management systems.

• Provide technical advice on development of user-centred climate services and forecast dissemination approaches that improve access to actionable information for disaster management agencies and at-risk communities.

• Support development of forecasting products, warning protocols, trigger mechanisms and operational arrangements that enhance preparedness, anticipatory action and emergency response.

• Coordinate technical collaboration with relevant national, regional and international organizations, including WMO, UN agencies, research institutions, development banks and specialized technical partners.

• Provide technical inputs to national planning processes, technical working groups, policies, strategies, roadmaps and investment plans related to disaster risk reduction, hydrometeorological services, climate information and early warning systems.

• Identify opportunities and support development of new programmes, concept notes, climate finance proposals and resource mobilization initiatives related to climate resilience, early warning systems, anticipatory action and disaster preparedness.

• Generate technical evidence, lessons learned, analytical products, assessments and knowledge products to support programme design, policy engagement and donor reporting.

• Strengthen internal technical capacity within WFP through training, coaching, development of guidance materials and technical advisory support to programme teams.

• Prepare high-quality technical reports, workplans, briefing notes, presentations and donor updates, ensuring effective communication of programme results and strategic priorities.

• Undertake other related duties as required to support implementation of WFP's integrated risk management and disaster preparedness portfolio.

DELIVERABLES AT THE END OF THE CONTRACT:

• Comprehensive assessment and recommendations completed for priority meteorological and hydrological observation infrastructure, including rehabilitation and O&M requirements.

• Technical support provided for rehabilitation and/or modernization of priority observation stations and associated data management systems.

• Technical support provided to implementation and monitoring of EW4All activities, including stakeholder coordination and reporting.

• Contributions provided to WFP’s resource mobilization initiatives, project concepts and/or funding proposals related to climate resilience, disaster preparedness or early warning systems.

• Technical studies, assessments, guidance notes, presentations and knowledge products produced to support programme implementation and strategic positioning.

• Capacity strengthening activities delivered to government counterparts and WFP staff, with documented training materials and recommendations.

 

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

 

Education:

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Meteorology, Hydrology, Atmospheric Sciences, Water Resources Engineering, Instrumentation Control/Civil Engineering, or another closely related field.

Experience:

• Minimum 8 years of progressively responsible professional experience in meteorology, hydrology, instrumentation engineering, climate services, or closely related technical fields.

• Demonstrated experience working with National Meteorological and Hydrological Services or equivalent government agencies responsible for weather, climate and water information services.

• Proven experience supporting design, procurement, installation and maintenance of hydro-met instruments (e.g. automatic weather stations, automatic rain and/or water-level gauges)

• Experience with development, management and/or maintenance of real-time data acquisition systems, data management systems, quality controls and field data management plans is highly desirable.

• Experience developing or applying forecasting systems, climate services, impact-based forecasting approaches, or early warning products for operational decision-making is desirable

• Strong track-record providing technical advisory work and capacity strengthening in developing countries is desirable

• Experience coordinating with government agencies, UN organizations, development partners, research institutions and technical service providers is desirable

• Experience in programme design, proposal development, donor engagement or climate finance initiatives is desirable.

• Working experience in Cambodia and/or Southeast Asia is an advantage.

Knowledge & Skills:

• Strong technical understanding of meteorological, hydrological and climate observation systems and instruments.

• Knowledge of weather forecasting, hydrological forecasting, climate prediction and impact-based forecasting methodologies.

• Understanding of multi-hazard early warning systems and disaster risk management frameworks.

• Familiarity with hydrometeorological data management, quality control, interoperability and information sharing systems.

• Demonstrated ability to translate technical information into actionable recommendations for decision-makers.

• Excellent stakeholder engagement, facilitation and partnership management skills.

• Strong analytical, report-writing and presentation skills.

• Ability to work independently while managing multiple priorities in a multicultural environment.

• Knowledge of climate adaptation, anticipatory action, disaster preparedness, shock-responsive systems and climate risk financing is desirable.

Languages:

Fluent in English.

WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK

 

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Click here to access WFP Leadership Framework

 

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

 

WFP is committed to supporting individuals with disabilities by providing reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process. If you require a reasonable accommodation, please contact:  [email protected]

NO FEE DISCLAIMER

 

The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.

 

REMINDERS BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

• All applications must be submitted exclusively through our online recruiting system. We do not consider CVs or applications sent by email, LinkedIn, or any other channel.

• We strongly recommend that your Workday profile is accurate and complete, and that all sections are filled in, including your employment history, academic qualifications, language skills, and UN grade (if applicable). Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application.

• If you experience technical issues while submitting your application, you may contact us at [email protected]. Please note that this email is only for technical issues with an application - unsolicited applications or documents sent to this inbox will not receive a reply.

• At the application stage, the only required documents are your CV and Cover Letter. Additional documents (passport, certificates, recommendation letters, etc.) may be requested later in the process.

• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to proceed to the next stage of the recruitment process.

All employment decisions are made on the basis of organizational needs, job requirements, merit, and individual qualifications. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment free of sexual exploitation and abuse, all forms of discrimination, any kind of harassment, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. Therefore, all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), FAO Finance Committee, WFP External Auditor, WFP Audit Committee, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP, both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.