CONSULTANCY - Development of the National Framework for Climate Services (NFCS) in the Maldives - SSA-2026-MSS/TCU-SSCD/DPPD-4

Background

This consultancy aims to support the development of the NFCS for the Maldives under the GCF-funded project Toward Risk-Aware and Climate-Resilient Communities (TRACT). Given Maldives’ high exposure to climate variability and change, including sea-level rise (SLR), coastal flooding, storm surges, and extreme weather events, there is a need to further strengthen the provision and use of climate services (CS) across climate resilient sectors.

In this context, the consultant will support the development of the NFCS for Maldives, along with an action plan to guide its implementation. The NFCS will establish a structured mechanism to strengthen coordination among national institutions, improve the accessibility and usability of climate information, and ensure that CS effectively respond to the needs of priority sectors such as disaster risk reduction, water, health, fisheries and tourism.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Assess the institutional capacities, roles, and gaps of key agencies in Maldives involved in the production, coordination, and dissemination of CS and impact-based early warning information. This should include the national meteorological service (MSS) and other relevant institutions engaged in disaster risk management, water, health, environment, marine and coastal services, fisheries, tourism, and related sectors.

• Assess the capacities and needs of key stakeholders and users in selected priority sectors to access, understand, interpret, and apply climate information and services in planning and decision-making. This should include attention to local-level institutions, atoll and island-level actors, and vulnerable communities.

• Review existing coordination mechanisms, institutional mandates, and operational arrangements related to CS and early warning systems, and identify opportunities to strengthen governance, collaboration, and information flows across agencies and sectors.

• Develop recommendations for the governance and coordination structure of the NFCS for the Maldives, including institutional roles and responsibilities, mechanisms for stakeholder engagement, and linkages with relevant national policies, plans, and risk management frameworks.

• Draft the NFCS technical document in line with WMO guidance, including the national vision, objectives, scope, guiding principles, institutional arrangements, coordination mechanism, operational components, and priority sector engagement modalities.

• Prepare a costed action plan for implementation of the NFCS, including priority activities, indicative timelines, institutional responsibilities, and potential sources of support and financing, including linkages with relevant national programmes and projects.

• Support the organization and facilitation of stakeholder consultations and validation processes, including virtual and in-person consultations as needed, to ensure that the draft NFCS reflects national priorities and stakeholder inputs.

• Revise and finalize the NFCS and associated costed action plan based on stakeholder feedback, ensuring that the final documents are suitable for validation and submission to national authorities and WMO.

• Engage in the launch of the NFCS.

Deliverables at the end of the contract

The consultant will provide the following deliverables:

• Deliverable 1: Inception Report and Work Plan - A report outlining the methodology, work plan, consultation approach, and analytical framework for the assignment. It should include an initial mapping of relevant institutions, stakeholders, and user groups involved in CS in the Maldives, including their mandates, roles, and relevance to the NFCS as well as overlaps.

• Deliverable 2: Assessment Report - A technical assessment of existing CS, coordination mechanisms, institutional capacities, sectoral needs, and gaps in climate service delivery and use in Maldives. This should include a summary of stakeholder consultation findings and identified priorities for the NFCS.

• Deliverable 3: Draft NFCS Governance Framework and Action Plan - A draft description of the proposed NFCS governance and coordination structure, including institutional roles, communication flows, and decision-making arrangements. This deliverable should also include the NFCS vision, objectives, scope, and guiding principles of the NFCS, as well as a costed action plan for implementation.

• Deliverable 4: Draft Consolidated NFCS Document - A full draft of the NFCS for Maldives, structured in accordance with WMO guidance and ready for stakeholder review and validation.

• Deliverable 5: Final NFCS and Validation Report - A final revised NFCS document and costed action plan, together with a short report summarizing the validation process, key comments received, and how these were addressed. Includes engagement and presentation at the launch of the NFCS.

Required Skills and Experience

Education: Advanced university degree in applied meteorology, environmental sciences, social sciences, international relations, strategic planning or related disciplines.

Experience: At least 8 years of experience in the development and management of climate services (CS) with a focus in the Asian region.

Other Requirements: High level of knowledge and understanding of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) preferably in SIDS; Knowledge of GFCS and climate services, Knowledge of WMO NFCS guidelines is a plus; Strong coordination and stakeholder engagement skills.

Languages: Native or excellent command of English (written and spoken). (Note: The official languages of WMO are Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish.)

Salary and Allowances: Payband C

Duration: 45 days over a period of 15 months

Focal Point: Nakiete Msemo :nmsemo@wmo.int

Applications:

Applications should be made online through the WMO e-recruitment system.

Do not send your application via multiple routes. WMO no longer accepts applications via post or email. Only applicants for whom WMO has a further interest will be contacted. Shortlisted candidates may be required to sit a written test and/or an interview.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

WMO does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.

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