CONSULTANCY: Lead Climate Data Systems Integration Expert at METEO RWANDA (SSA-2026-PDMU-DPPD-4)

Duties and Responsibilities

In coordination with METEO RWANDA and technical partners, the consultant will undertake the following tasks in support of upgrading ADT and RDT and strengthening operational data integration and use:

Task 1: Requirements Confirmation and System Design

1. Review the current ADT and RDT architecture, codebase, hosting environment and data flows.
2. Confirm functional requirements with METEO RWANDA (AWS, manual stations, radar, radiosonde, products, users, workflows).
3. Produce an inception report with technical approach, system design, and implementation plan.

Task 2: Data Ingestion and Integration Upgrade (ADT)

1. Develop procedures to ingest data from multiple AWS networks and formats and consolidate into a unified database.
2. Develop web-based forms for remote data entry (manual observations and relevant metadata).
3. Develop standardized station and parameter metadata tables for AWS, manual, and upper-air stations.
4. Extend ADT database structure (relational tables) to support manual and upper-air/radiosonde data.

Task 3: Data Processing and Quality Control (ADT)

1. Implement data aggregation and statistical summaries.
2. Develop configurable, WMO-compliant quality control workflows for real-time and archived data.
3. Implement syntax checks, gross error checks, tolerance/climatological checks, and temporal/spatial consistency checks.
4. Enable interactive review of QC flags and workflows for highlighting/removing erroneous values.

Task 4: Interoperability and Systems Integration

1. Develop integration protocols with Climsoft CDMS, SmartMet, AMSS and WIS2/wis2box as applicable.
2. Develop optimized data model structures to support high-performance queries and near-real-time access.
3. Provide access to data/products via APIs (URL endpoints) and client tools (R/Python packages as relevant).
4. Enable export/download options (tables/graphs/maps) in formats such as JSON, CSV, and Excel.
5. Enable pre-coded messages (SYNOP, METAR and BUFR where applicable) to support AMSS workflows and WMO exchange.

Task 5: Analysis and Visualization Upgrade (ADT)

1. Strengthen aggregate menus and outputs (daily/decadal/monthly/yearly summaries; normals; extremes; CLIMDEX indices; climate messages).
2. Add products such as wind roses, maps, time series graphs, and heat maps.
3. Develop customizable user interfaces and user-specific configurations.
4. Support station/variable selection, visualization and download in table/graph/map forms, including gridded/interpolated outputs where feasible.

Task 6: Radar Tool Upgrade (RDT) and Operational Products

1. Upgrade radar processing workflows including data QC and conversion to analysis-ready formats.
2. Generate key radar products for display, download and sharing with stakeholders.
3. Enable integration of radar products with other datasets for adjustment and comparison as required.

Task 7: Capacity Development, Handover and Sustainability

1. Deliver at least four weeks of in-country consultations and capacity development (installation, configuration, administration, and operational use).
2. Train METEO RWANDA staff on system administration (server upkeep, user management, configuration management, backups).
3. Train METEO RWANDA staff on ADT web application and API use, QC interpretation, and interoperability workflows.
4. Train METEO RWANDA staff on installation, configuration and operational use of RDT.
5. Provide documentation, handover guidance and sustainability recommendations.

Main Deliverables

The consultant is expected to deliver the following deliverables:

• D.1 – Inception Report: Confirmed requirements, technical approach, architecture and detailed implementation/work plan.
• D.2 – Upgraded ADT Data Integration Module: Strengthened ingestion for multiple AWS sources plus manual and upper-air/radiosonde support, including metadata tables and unified relational database structure.
• D.3 – ADT Processing & Quality Control Module: Configurable QC workflows and processing/aggregation outputs, with interactive QC flag review.
• D.4 – Interoperability Package: Interfaces and protocols for Climsoft, SmartMet, AMSS and WIS2/wis2box, including API endpoints and export formats.
• D.5 – Enhanced Analysis & Visualization Package: Expanded products (aggregates, indices, wind rose, maps, time series, heat maps) and customizable user interface.
• D.6 – Upgraded Radar Data Tool (RDT): Enhanced radar QC, processing and product generation and dissemination features.
• D.7 – Training & Handover Package (Final Report): Training materials, user/admin manuals, sustainability recommendations, and final report.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

At least a master’s degree in Meteorological Sciences/Meteorology (PhD preferred), or a closely related field with strong demonstrated technical systems experience.

Experience

• At least ten (10) years’ professional experience in weather and climate services, climate data systems, or climate services tool development.
• At least five (5) years’ experience leading similar assignments as a team leader/technical lead.
• Demonstrated experience in designing/upgrading climate data platforms, relational databases and web-based systems.
• Demonstrated experience integrating data systems with operational platforms (e.g., Climsoft, SmartMet, WIS2/wis2box and message generation standards).
• Proven experience delivering hands-on capacity development within NMHS operational environments.
• Strong proposal and report writing skills.

Other Requirements

• Willingness to work in-country and collaborate closely with METEO RWANDA technical staff.
• Strong documentation and communication skills.
• Experience working with open-source systems and climate data tools is an advantage.

Languages:

Excellent knowledge of English (both oral and written).

(Note: The official languages of WMO are Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish.)

Additional Information

The consultancy duration is: 120 days / Expected start date: 30TH March 2026

Level of pay band: C or D, depending upon experience, knowledge, and skills.

Focal point email for additional information: jngaina@wmo.int

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