Associate Scientific Officer

**ASSOCIATE SCIENTIFIC OFFICER (IT LEAD OCEANOPS) (2335)**:
VACANCY NOTICE NO: 2335
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION: 1 February 2025

**POST**
Associate Scientific Officer (IT lead OceanOPS) **GRADE**
P2 **DUTY STATION**
Brest, France **COMMENCEMENT OF DUTY**
To be determined **NATURE OF APPOINTMENT**
Fixed-term - 1 year

**ORGANIZATIONAL UNIT**
OceanOPS Unit, WIGOS Branch
Infrastructure Department
WMO is committed to achieving diversity and a balanced workforce. Applications are welcome from qualified women and men, including those with disabilities.

**DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES**
Under the overall guidance of the Director, Infrastructure Department (D/I), the general supervision of the Director of the WIGOS Branch, and the direct supervision of the OceanOPS Manager, the incumbent will perform the following duties:

- Maintain and develop the OceanOPS information system in all its components, ensuring continuous improvements, a high quality and security approach; in a timely responsive manner;
- Analysis of needs and feasibility: write and validate specifications for development considering impact, costs and load balancing of work amongst the OceanOPS IT team. Implementation of needs, considering the whole software lifecycle and best practices. Validation of developments, documentation, and versioning updates;
- Maintain and develop OceanOPS services ensuring the operational submission of OceanOPS metadata to the OSCAR/Surface system according to WIGOS metadata standards and proper integration into the WMO Information System (WIS). Participate in relevant WMO task teams;
- Propose innovative evolutions of the system, including functionality, robustness, and/or security. Maintain technology intelligence and regular interaction with developing communities. Develop technical partnerships;
- Promote OceanOPS IT services to the international met-ocean community;
- Regular cooperation with GOOS Observing Networks implementers, parent agencies (WMO, IOC), host agency (Ifremer), and international initiatives and task teams on marine data and metadata;
- Regular coordination with the WIS Section Chief to ensure alignment of OceanOps information system with the WIS;
- Support and work with the other persons in the IT team of OceanOPS, steering IT related decisions and establishing work plans to deliver products in a timely manner;
- Carry out other relevant duties as required by the OceanOPS workplan and strategy.

**QUALIFICATIONS**:

- Education_
Master's degree or equivalent in Computer Sciences or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the master’s degree.
- Experience_
A minimum of two years of progressively responsible relevant experience in IT with a high focus on databases, Geographic Information Systems, web development and APIs.
- Other requirements_
- General knowledge of operating systems, networks, including Windows and Linux; Ability to perform server system maintenance.
- Strong knowledge of SQL and databases, especially Oracle and PostgreSQL, with a special interest in design and optimisation of data storage and access.
- Strong GIS skills, including a range of ESRI technologies, OGC standards and theory of mapping is highly desired.
- Strong skills in programming, Object Oriented, scripting languages and web development and Javascript libraries;
- Knowledge of software project organisation, building and versioning tools.
- Knowledge of API design, micro services approach, and complex information system integration.
- Knowledge of metadata standards and representation, including ontologies and linked data.
- Good communication skills (oral and written) with proven ability to make effective and persuasive oral presentations to both technical and general audiences.
- Proven ability to work both autonomously and as part of an integrated team with colleagues, staff and stakeholders at all levels, internal and external, including building and maintaining partnerships.
- Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to foster diversity and team spirit.
- Languages_
Good knowledge of English (both oral and written) and working knowledge of French. Knowledge of other official languages of the Organization would be an advantage.

This position is funded from extrabudgetary resources. The appointment and its duration are limited to one year.

**SALARY AND ALLOWANCES**
Annual net base salary on initial appointment is: US$ 55163
Annual post adjustment on initial salary is: US$ 29512 (in addition to the net base salary)

**Additional Information**:
Date of issue of vacancy notice: 2 January 2025

J-18808-Ljbffr