Senior Expert for Early Warning Systems (EWS) and Disaster Operations
2026-02-02T08:51:27+00:00
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime
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FULL_TIME
Nairobi
Nairobi
00100
Kenya
Public Administration, and Government
Social Services & Nonprofit, Business Operations, Civil & Government, Science & Engineering
2026-02-08T17:00:00+00:00
8
Background information about the job or company (e.g., role context, company overview)
For two decades, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has been helping make the world safer from drugs, organized crime, corruption and terrorism. We are committed to achieving health, security and justice for all by tackling these threats and promoting peace and sustainable well-being as deterrents to them. Because the scale of these problems is often too great for states to confront alone, UNODC offers practical assistance and encourages transnational approaches to action. We do this in all regions of the world through our global programmes and network of field offices.
Responsibilities or duties
In the exercise of his/her functions, the consultant shall:
- Support the Directorate of Humanitarian and Social Affairs in the smooth operation of the ECOWAS Disaster Operation Centre;
- Actively contribute to the operation of the Disaster Operation Centre, including supporting the ECOWAS Management in drafting memos and plans for the sustainability of the centre;
- Mainstream the use of Continental Watch and Disaster Situation Report in Member States and Humanitarian Organizations, collect feedback;
- Convene anticipatory action dialogues meetings with MS in coordination with AUC, as well as regular regional meetings with relevant regional stakeholders and keep concise minutes of the meetings;
- Participate in coordination and technical meetings and ensure exchange of information with the other continental and regional situation rooms; with the continental and other regional situation rooms and relevant technical bodies;
- Coordinate use of EWS software (myDEWETRA) for exchange of early warning information withing AMHEWAS;
- Liaise with EWS experts at AUC, ACMAD, IGAD, ECCAS, SADC and with hydro meteorological experts at Centre Regional de Formation et d'Application en Agrométéorologie et Hydrologie Opérationnelle (AGHRYMET), to improve the existing mechanism and procedure for the coordination of data exchange at the continental and the regional levels;
- Pro-actively engage other centres, such as AGRYMETH and Regional Specialized Meteorological Centres from WMO into AMHEWAS, facilitating the exchange of risk data and products generated by the centres and their involvement at operational level in the generation of AMHEWAS informational products. Develop dedicated SoPs in coordinating with AUC and AMHEWAS partners
- Facilitate the coordination of ECOWAS Disaster Situation Room with ECOWAS Conflict Early Warning System, identify operational links and procedure for operational and real-time exchange of information
- Provide input for the AUC situation room for EWS and situation reports and coordinate the preparation of bulletins and situation reports based on information collected through the new regional coordination mechanism established;
- Initiate work to diversify the hazards covered and the early warning products offered by ECOWAS to its member states;
- Initiate work to strengthen capacity in the ECOWAS region on impact-based early warning, taking into consideration risk information including vulnerability and exposure;
- Initiate work to strengthen coordination in the ECOWAS region on anticipatory action;
- Anticipate obstacles realistically and plan for contingencies – create plans that factor in time for unexpected problems and uncertainties;
- Ensure reporting on project implementation; and Establish mechanisms to facilitate and encourage knowledge sharing
Qualifications or requirements (e.g., education, skills)
Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Environmental Engineering, Environmental Science, Disaster Risk Management, Meteorology, Hydrology, Geography, or other relevant fields is required. A first-level university degree in any of these fields in combination with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Experience needed
Five (5) years of relevant experience at international level in implementing Disaster Risk Reduction Programmes or other relevant field is required.
Experience in managing early warning or disaster operations projects and working in Africa at regional or national level on Disaster Risk Reduction/Management (DRR/M) is required.
Experience as a professional forecaster, including data management, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for Early Warning Systems (EWS) management of emergency information, coordination of people and tasks, for the generation of Early Warning (EW) messages is desirable.
* Support the Directorate of Humanitarian and Social Affairs in the smooth operation of the ECOWAS Disaster Operation Centre; * Actively contribute to the operation of the Disaster Operation Centre, including supporting the ECOWAS Management in drafting memos and plans for the sustainability of the centre; * Mainstream the use of Continental Watch and Disaster Situation Report in Member States and Humanitarian Organizations, collect feedback; * Convene anticipatory action dialogues meetings with MS in coordination with AUC, as well as regular regional meetings with relevant regional stakeholders and keep concise minutes of the meetings; * Participate in coordination and technical meetings and ensure exchange of information with the other continental and regional situation rooms; with the continental and other regional situation rooms and relevant technical bodies; * Coordinate use of EWS software (myDEWETRA) for exchange of early warning information withing AMHEWAS; * Liaise with EWS experts at AUC, ACMAD, IGAD, ECCAS, SADC and with hydro meteorological experts at Centre Regional de Formation et d'Application en Agrométéorologie et Hydrologie Opérationnelle (AGHRYMET), to improve the existing mechanism and procedure for the coordination of data exchange at the continental and the regional levels; * Pro-actively engage other centres, such as AGRYMETH and Regional Specialized Meteorological Centres from WMO into AMHEWAS, facilitating the exchange of risk data and products generated by the centres and their involvement at operational level in the generation of AMHEWAS informational products. Develop dedicated SoPs in coordinating with AUC and AMHEWAS partners * Facilitate the coordination of ECOWAS Disaster Situation Room with ECOWAS Conflict Early Warning System, identify operational links and procedure for operational and real-time exchange of information * Provide input for the AUC situation room for EWS and situation reports and coordinate the preparation of bulletins and situation reports based on information collected through the new regional coordination mechanism established; * Initiate work to diversify the hazards covered and the early warning products offered by ECOWAS to its member states; * Initiate work to strengthen capacity in the ECOWAS region on impact-based early warning, taking into consideration risk information including vulnerability and exposure; * Initiate work to strengthen coordination in the ECOWAS region on anticipatory action; * Anticipate obstacles realistically and plan for contingencies – create plans that factor in time for unexpected problems and uncertainties; * Ensure reporting on project implementation; and Establish mechanisms to facilitate and encourage knowledge sharing
* Data management * Geographic Information Systems (GIS) * Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for Early Warning Systems (EWS) management of emergency information * Coordination of people and tasks * Generation of Early Warning (EW) messages
* Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Environmental Engineering, Environmental Science, Disaster Risk Management, Meteorology, Hydrology, Geography, or other relevant fields is required. * A first-level university degree in any of these fields in combination with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
JOB-6980658f7c378
Vacancy title:
Senior Expert for Early Warning Systems (EWS) and Disaster Operations
[Type: FULL_TIME, Industry: Public Administration, and Government, Category: Social Services & Nonprofit, Business Operations, Civil & Government, Science & Engineering]
Jobs at:
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime
Deadline of this Job:
Sunday, February 8 2026
Duty Station:
Nairobi | Nairobi
Summary
Date Posted: Monday, February 2 2026, Base Salary: Not Disclosed
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JOB DETAILS:
Background information about the job or company (e.g., role context, company overview)
For two decades, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has been helping make the world safer from drugs, organized crime, corruption and terrorism. We are committed to achieving health, security and justice for all by tackling these threats and promoting peace and sustainable well-being as deterrents to them. Because the scale of these problems is often too great for states to confront alone, UNODC offers practical assistance and encourages transnational approaches to action. We do this in all regions of the world through our global programmes and network of field offices.
Responsibilities or duties
In the exercise of his/her functions, the consultant shall:
- Support the Directorate of Humanitarian and Social Affairs in the smooth operation of the ECOWAS Disaster Operation Centre;
- Actively contribute to the operation of the Disaster Operation Centre, including supporting the ECOWAS Management in drafting memos and plans for the sustainability of the centre;
- Mainstream the use of Continental Watch and Disaster Situation Report in Member States and Humanitarian Organizations, collect feedback;
- Convene anticipatory action dialogues meetings with MS in coordination with AUC, as well as regular regional meetings with relevant regional stakeholders and keep concise minutes of the meetings;
- Participate in coordination and technical meetings and ensure exchange of information with the other continental and regional situation rooms; with the continental and other regional situation rooms and relevant technical bodies;
- Coordinate use of EWS software (myDEWETRA) for exchange of early warning information withing AMHEWAS;
- Liaise with EWS experts at AUC, ACMAD, IGAD, ECCAS, SADC and with hydro meteorological experts at Centre Regional de Formation et d'Application en Agrométéorologie et Hydrologie Opérationnelle (AGHRYMET), to improve the existing mechanism and procedure for the coordination of data exchange at the continental and the regional levels;
- Pro-actively engage other centres, such as AGRYMETH and Regional Specialized Meteorological Centres from WMO into AMHEWAS, facilitating the exchange of risk data and products generated by the centres and their involvement at operational level in the generation of AMHEWAS informational products. Develop dedicated SoPs in coordinating with AUC and AMHEWAS partners
- Facilitate the coordination of ECOWAS Disaster Situation Room with ECOWAS Conflict Early Warning System, identify operational links and procedure for operational and real-time exchange of information
- Provide input for the AUC situation room for EWS and situation reports and coordinate the preparation of bulletins and situation reports based on information collected through the new regional coordination mechanism established;
- Initiate work to diversify the hazards covered and the early warning products offered by ECOWAS to its member states;
- Initiate work to strengthen capacity in the ECOWAS region on impact-based early warning, taking into consideration risk information including vulnerability and exposure;
- Initiate work to strengthen coordination in the ECOWAS region on anticipatory action;
- Anticipate obstacles realistically and plan for contingencies – create plans that factor in time for unexpected problems and uncertainties;
- Ensure reporting on project implementation; and Establish mechanisms to facilitate and encourage knowledge sharing
Qualifications or requirements (e.g., education, skills)
Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Environmental Engineering, Environmental Science, Disaster Risk Management, Meteorology, Hydrology, Geography, or other relevant fields is required. A first-level university degree in any of these fields in combination with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Experience needed
Five (5) years of relevant experience at international level in implementing Disaster Risk Reduction Programmes or other relevant field is required.
Experience in managing early warning or disaster operations projects and working in Africa at regional or national level on Disaster Risk Reduction/Management (DRR/M) is required.
Experience as a professional forecaster, including data management, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for Early Warning Systems (EWS) management of emergency information, coordination of people and tasks, for the generation of Early Warning (EW) messages is desirable.
Work Hours: 8
Experience in Months: 60
Level of Education: postgraduate degree
Job application procedure
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