The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) is seeking an experienced Weather Radar Site Technical Assessment Consultant under the Strengthening Hydro-Meteorological and Multi-Hazard Early Warning Services in the Caribbean – Phase 2 (CREWS Caribbean 2.0) project.
Job Summary
- Employer: WMO
- Job Type: Contract
- Location: Harare, Zimbabwe
- Category: Engineering
- Salary: USD 7,800-USD 11,200 for 20 consultancy days
- Closing Date: 2026-10-06
Key Responsibilities
- Conduct a desk review and field-based technical assessment of Jamaica’s existing weather radar hardware, infrastructure, software, operational performance, maintenance arrangements and data quality.
- Assess the existing radar site and technically relevant alternative locations.
- Prepare radar coverage, beam-blockage and network scenarios using GIS and/or specialized radar coverage modelling software.
- Assess radar software functionality for QPE, nowcasting, severe-weather monitoring and hurricane analysis.
- Compare options for repairing, rehabilitating, relocating or replacing the existing radar, adding another radar, or implementing a phased approach.
- Recommend the required number and location of radars, technologies, frequencies, network configuration, integration, redundancy and infrastructure requirements.
- Assess staffing, competencies and training needs for radar operations, maintenance, calibration, data processing and operational use.
- Assess operation and maintenance, spare-parts, lifecycle, vendor-support and infrastructure-resilience requirements.
- Prepare a comprehensive Weather Radar Technical Assessment and Recommendations Report .
- Presentation of final findings and recommendations.
Requirements
- An advanced university degree, preferably a Master’s degree or equivalent , in one of the following or a related discipline: Meteorology, Atmospheric Sciences, Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Telecommunications Engineering, Remote Sensing, Radar Engineering, Physics, Environmental Engineering
- Applicants should have a minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible professional experience in weather radar systems, including areas such as radar network design, operation, technical assessment, maintenance, radar technology and/or radar data processing and applications.
- Experience should include: Assessment of operational weather radar systems, including hardware, software, infrastructure and reliability; Radar network design, radar siting and coverage analysis; GIS and/or specialized radar coverage modelling tools; Knowledge of weather radar technologies and frequency bands; Weather radar applications for QPE, nowcasting, severe-weather monitoring and tropical cyclone/hurricane analysis; Radar signal processing, quality control, visualization and operational product generation; Weather radar operation and maintenance, calibration, spare-parts planning, lifecycle management and vendor support; Assessment of technical staffing, competencies and training requirements.
- Experience with National Meteorological and Hydrological Services is highly desirable.
- Experience working with governments, UN organizations, development banks or donor-funded hydrometeorological and early warning programmes is an asset.
- Candidates should demonstrate: Excellent analytical and technical report-writing skills; Excellent communication, presentation and stakeholder engagement skills; Ability to undertake field-based technical inspections and develop practical, prioritized recommendations; Ability to work independently and coordinate with multidisciplinary and multicultural teams; Familiarity with relevant WMO weather radar guidance and technical standards; Experience in tropical cyclone/hurricane-prone environments and/or Small Island Developing States is an asset; Previous professional experience in Jamaica and/or the Caribbean region is highly desirable; Availability to undertake a field mission to Jamaica during the consultancy period.
- Language: Excellent knowledge of English, both oral and written.
Salary
USD 7,800-USD 11,200 for 20 consultancy days
How to Apply
To apply, please visit: estm.fa.em2.oraclecloud.com
REF Code: SSA-2026-PDMU-DPPD-13 | Job Code: 36554
About the Company
WMOR-TV is an independent television station licensed to Lakeland, Florida, United States, serving the Tampa Bay area. Owned by Hearst Television, the station maintains studios on Hillsborough Avenue in east Tampa, and its transmitter is located in Riverview.
Website: https://wmo.int/
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifications and certifications are typically required for a Weather Radar Site Technical Assessment Consultant role in Zimbabwe?
Employers usually require a degree in Electrical, Electronic, or Telecommunications Engineering from a recognized institution like the University of Zimbabwe or NUST. Professional registration with the Engineering Council of Zimbabwe (ECZ) is often essential, along with certifications in radar systems, RF technology, or meteorological instrumentation from bodies like WMO or specialized training providers.
What are the common day-to-day responsibilities of this role?
Daily tasks include conducting on-site technical assessments of weather radar installations, diagnosing hardware and software faults, calibrating radar systems, and preparing detailed technical reports for meteorological departments. You will also liaise with local meteorological staff, coordinate maintenance schedules, and ensure compliance with WMO standards and specifications.
How does local work culture in Zimbabwe affect contract engineering roles?
Zimbabwean workplaces value respect for hierarchy and formal communication, so building relationships with government meteorological officials and local technicians is crucial. Punctuality is appreciated, though flexibility is often needed due to infrastructure challenges like power outages; demonstrating patience and problem-solving under resource constraints is highly regarded.
What career progression opportunities exist for radar systems consultants in Zimbabwe?
With experience, you can advance to senior technical advisor roles, project management positions with regional meteorological organizations, or specialized consultancy work across SADC countries. Some professionals transition into permanent roles with the Meteorological Services Department or international agencies, while others establish independent engineering consultancies serving the broader African market.
What typical benefits should I expect from a contract engineering position with an international organization like WMO in Zimbabwe?
Contract roles with international organizations typically include medical aid coverage, professional insurance, and paid annual leave, though specific entitlements vary by contract terms. Unlike permanent employment, pension contributions may not be included, so you should negotiate this explicitly or arrange private retirement planning; some contracts offer housing allowances or per diems for remote site visits.
How should I apply for this role, and what do Zimbabwean employers and international organizations prioritize in candidates?
Submit applications through official WMO recruitment portals with a detailed CV highlighting radar or RF engineering experience, ECZ registration, and any prior work with meteorological or aviation systems. Employers prioritize hands-on technical competence, proven field experience in challenging environments, strong report-writing skills, and demonstrated ability to work independently with limited local support infrastructure.
