ICT Specialist - National Directorate of Meteorology and Geophysics (DNMG)

The project “Enhancing Early Warning Systems to build greater resilience to hydro meteorological hazards in Timor-Leste” was approved by the Green Climate Fund Board in October 2021, with a total budget of USD 21.7 million. The United Nations Environment Programme serves as the Accredited Entity for the project. Some activities under the project will be executed by the State of Timor-Leste through the Ministry of Tourism and Environment (MTE) and UNEP. The project will be implemented across five years and aims to deliver transformative impact to the entire population of Timor-Leste, including 1.03 million as direct beneficiaries (80% of the population), directly contributing to the attainment of selected targets and indicators of Article 7 of the Paris Agreement, Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 13 on Climate Action, SDG 3 on Good Health and Well-Being and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.

The project will address the urgent need for integrated and end-to-end climate information services and multi-hazard early warning systems (MHEWS) through comprehensive institutional, technical, and technological capacity building from national to local level to generate and disseminate robust climate data and information at all stages of the climate services value chain. This will be achieved through four inter-related components – the Project Results:

Result 1. Strengthened delivery model and legislation for climate information and multi-hazard early warning services.

Activity 1.1 Establish institutional and policy frameworks, legislation, and delivery models for climate services.

Result 2. Strengthened observations, monitoring, analysis and forecasting of climate and its impacts.

Activity 2.1 Enhance infrastructure and technical support for observations and monitoring.

Activity 2.2 Strengthen climate modelling and impact-based forecasting.

Activity 2.3 Establish climate services for health.

Result 3. Improved dissemination and communication of risk information and early warning.

Activity 3.1 Establish targeted multi-hazard early warning information systems.

Result 4. Enhanced climate risk management capacity.

Activity 4.1 Build capacity to prepare for and respond to climate risks and hazards.

Activity 4.2 Establish Forecast-based Financing (FbF).

Position Description

The Information and Communication Technology Specialist (ICT Specialist) will work and Report to the Director, National Directorate of Meteorology and Geophysics (DNMG) under the Ministry of Transports and Communications. Following are the key responsibilities to be performed by the ICT Specialist:

Responsibilities:

1. Technical Support

• Prepare annual plan for hardware, software and communication installation, upgradation and maintenance requirements for National Directorate of Meteorology and Geophysics (DNMG) and National Forecasting Centre (NFC).
• Maintain, install, test, and troubleshoot the required software/ applications for administering Climate and Weather-related data analysis and services at DNMG, especially NFC.
• Create and maintain technical documentation, including system configurations, procedures, and user manuals.

1. Network Administration

• Design, install, configure, and maintain reliability of access (24/7) of the network system (LAN/ WAN) and ensuring routers, switches, firewalls, and wireless access points for connecting to climate data information system (CDIS) including Decision Support System (DSSs) housed under NFC-DNMG.

1. System Administration

• Server Security - implement and strictly enforce security mechanisms, policies, and procedures, including periodic security checks, to safeguard the ICT assets from cyber security threats.
• Support in developing policies and procedures concerning the Climate Data Information System (CDIS): data entry, data security and sharing information on climate and weather information with identified users.
• Conduct capacity planning for network bandwidth, storage requirements, messaging, websites, and other applications.
• Responsible to monitor the performance system and maintain regular maintenance and backup of data from different server (CDIS, DSS etc.) servers and other workstations at DNMG & NFC.
• Maintain inventory of internal licenses and track compliance of ICT equipments
• Establish procedures to ensure the readiness, quality, and accuracy of information into the official website of DNMG/ MTC and any other online platforms as and when requested by DNMG.

1. Data Management

• Design and manage the database management system of the National Forecasting Centre and appropriate modules/utilities for effective and regular upgradation & dissemination of the data through DNMG / Ministry of Transport & Communication official web page.
• ICT Specialist must -ensure (1) data, models, and/or forecasts from DNMG and sectoral agencies are regularly updated and integrated into the DSSs and (2) ensure reliable access to forecasts and DSSs of the end-users.
• Develop new strategies and ICT procedures to increase efficiency of climate and weather data management at the National Forecasting Centre.
• Monitor National Forecasting Centre and DNMG data server access.
• Support in building the National Forecasting Centre’s database architecture so that climate data and information is correctly stored and easily accessible.
• Any other task related to ICT and database management requirements of DNMG & NFC.

1. Software Development, Documentation, and Integration

• Design, development, updating and maintenance of official web page for DNMG, in coordination with the National Informatic Centre (TIC-Timor), for hosting of Climate and Weather Information for the key service sectors and public. 
• Responsible for setting up and maintenance of IT hardware, software, Central USP, software updates for National Forecasting Centre (NFC) in specific and DNMG in general.
• ICT Specialist (1) Develop technical design and specification based on user needs assessment (2) Develop the system by executing test plans with target users, test cases, and test scripts to validate system functionality (3) Create code repositories and complete technical documentations, including setting-up version controls and collaboration platforms (e.g. GitLab).
• Assist in installation of new hardware and software and impart training to the DNMG Staff for effective use of ICT resources available at DNMG/ NFC.
• To develop ICT solutions for integrated access of Climate & Weather Information System to users, especially key sectors like Agriculture, Health, Disaster Risk Reduction, Marine/ Water, Energy etc.
• Research, design, and implement the appropriate technologies to support and improve DNMG communications, access to information, and climate and weather information end-user productivity.
• Stay informed on new or emerging trends and technologies that provide clear benefits to the DNMG/National Forecasting Centre, business partners, and/or climate users.

1. User Training and skill transfers

• Provide regular training and support to end-users and IT staff of DNMG on network and systems management.
• Provide impart training to the DNMG Staff for effective use of ICT resources available at DNMG/ NFC.

Preferred Qualification and Requirements  

1. Qualification:

• Master’s -in Information Technology (IT), Computer Application/Science, ICT Engineering, or equivalent qualification with 3 years of experience in relevant fields.
• Bachelor’s Degree in IT, Computer Science, ICT Engineering, or equivalent qualification with 5 years experience in relevant fields.

1. Desirable Experiences:

• Experience with management in IT Hardware and software including networking (LAN/ WAN). 
• Experiences in ICT infra cybersecurity, in user support (since capacity and tech transfer might be needed), configuring and troubleshooting hardware, software, and network systems.
• Working Experience with multiple operating systems (Window, Linux, etc) web technologies, web-based services, managing mobile applications etc.
• Ability to work under tight deadlines, manage multi-task requirements, high attention to detail and a high degree of pro-activity and initiative.

Desirable Knowledge, Skills, and Ability

• Should have Knowledge on Handling big data, Software programming and software management, Payment Gateway, Security Audit, GIS and GPS Technology, ICT tool, MIS management, Database management.
• Excellent strategic, analytical, systems thinking, and problem-solving skills, with capacity to see the big picture and ability to make sound judgment and decisions.
• Team leadership abilities
• Presentation and facilitation skills
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions oriented and results oriented.

Required Languages

• Fluency in written and spoken English required.
• Knowledge in local Language-Tetum or Bahasa-Indonesia would be an asset.

HOW TO APPLY

• Suitable qualified both male and female candidates are especially encouraged to apply. Send a cover letter, current CV, diplomas, professional certificates, citizen card and 3 professional references by email to DNMG Timor Leste-Leste’s HR at [email protected]. The application should submit via email provided by 31 of May 2024. Late application will not be considered.
• The application will be addressed to Mr. Terêncio T.T. Fernandes Moniz, National Director of Meteorology and Geophysics of the Ministry of Transports and Communications.