Climate Data Analyst

Position details

• Vacancy number: 2601818
• Opportunity type: Non-staff opportunities
• Grade / contract type: PSA (Personal Services Agreement)
• Organizational unit: FASRL - FAO Representation in Sri Lanka
• Duration: 80 days WAE
• Application deadline: 08/Sep/2026, 12%5C:59%5C:00 AM

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device

FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in its staff and international consultants in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions.

• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture
• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply
• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's values
• FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination　　
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
• FAO staff are subject to the authority of the Director-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the Organization.

Organizational Setting and Context

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is a specialized UN agency mandated to lead global efforts to eradicate hunger and achieve food security for all. Its core objective is to ensure sustained access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food that enables people to lead active and healthy lives. With 195 members—194 countries and the European Union—FAO operates in over 130 countries. In Sri Lanka, FAO has been engaged since 1979, with its country representation established in Colombo to support national development priorities in agriculture, food security, nutrition and resilience.
FAO contributes to the realization of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development through its Strategic Framework, which focuses on transforming agri-food systems to be more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable. This transformation is operationalized through the “Four Betters”: Better Production, Better Nutrition, a Better Environment and a Better Life, while ensuring that no one is left behind.
Since 2025, FAO Sri Lanka has initiated drought-related anticipatory action. While Sri Lanka currently undertakes drought monitoring based on observed conditions, there is a critical gap in operational drought prediction. Effective anticipatory action requires reliable, science-based drought forecasting with adequate lead time to trigger predefined actions that reduce agricultural and livelihood losses.
Under the Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP/SRL/4102), a Drought Forecasting Expert has been recruited to support the Government of Sri Lanka—particularly the Department of Agriculture, Department of Meteorology and Disaster Management Centre—to develop and institutionalize an advanced drought prediction system through strengthened technical collaboration, data integration and capacity building.

Key activities include:

•    Activity 1: Strengthen drought prediction capabilities and develop context-specific drought indices.
•    Activity 2: Operationalize the use of drought forecasts within agricultural decision systems.
•    Activity 3: Facilitate the development and implementation of anticipatory action triggers and SOPs.
•    Activity 4: Enhance national capacity and ensure long-term institutional sustainability.

Reporting Lines

The Climate Data Analyst will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative for Sri Lanka and the Maldives and the direct supervision of the Assistant FAO Representative (Programmes). Working closely with the Drought Forecasting Expert and Anticipatory Action Coordinator. In addition, the incumbent will work closely with FAO RAP Disaster Resilience and Inclusion team specifically the Early Warning Systems Expert and Regional Anticipatory Action Specialist.

Technical Focus

The objective of the assignment is to support FAO in developing, testing, and validating trigger methodologies and impact-based forecasting approaches for Anticipatory Action in Sri Lanka. The role will further support the standardization of related processes and contribute to the development of materials, tools, and knowledge products that facilitate the mainstreaming, coordination, and dissemination of anticipatory action approaches.

Tasks and responsibilities

The Climate Data Analyst will,

•    Support FAO in reviewing, compiling, cleaning, and harmonizing relevant rainfall, climate, vegetation, soil moisture, oceanic, forecast, and historical drought datasets to ensure data quality, consistency, and readiness for analysis.
•    Provide technical support to FAO in conducting exploratory data analysis, including correlation analysis, lag correlation analysis, seasonality assessment, cross-correlation analysis, and predictor importance analysis, to identify suitable variables for drought prediction.
•    Support FAO in developing, training, optimizing, and validating ARIMAX models using SPI-3 and selected predictors to generate one-month, two-month, and three-month drought forecasts.
•    Assist FAO in developing and comparing AI/ML models, including Random Forest and Artificial Neural Network models, to predict SPI-3, drought severity, drought intensity, and the probability of drought occurrence.
•    Facilitate FAO’s efforts to integrate model outputs into the web portal, support the automation of monthly model updates, and prepare comprehensive documentation, including methodology notes, validation reports, source code documentation, user manuals, technical manuals, and operational guidelines.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

   
•    University degree in Statistics, Data Science, Mathematics, Climate Science, Meteorology, Environmental Science, or a related field, with sufficient background in climate/weather data analysis and drought modelling.
•    At least 4 years of relevant professional experience in the public or private sector, preferably in statistical analysis, climate data analysis, drought modelling, predictive modelling, or data science.
•    Working knowledge of English and Sinhala and/or Tamil.
•    National of Sri Lanka or resident of the country with a valid work permit.

FAO Core Competencies

•    Results Focus
•    Teamwork
•    Communication
•    Building Effective Relationships
•    Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

•    Familiarity with programming and statistical software/tools, such as R, Python, SAS, SQL, and relevant AI/ML tools.
•    Demonstrated technical skills in statistical analysis, data visualization, data modelling, data mining, predictive modelling, spatial visualization, artificial intelligence/machine learning, and statistical advisory support.
•    Good command of computer skills (MS Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Internet);
•    Understanding of FAO policies and programme is considered a strong asset.
•    Experience working with preparing reports and presenting information visually.
 

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.

 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing).
• Incomplete applications will not be considered. If you need help or have queries, please contact: Careers@fao.org
• Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted.
• Only language proficiency certificates from UN accredited external providers and/or FAO language official examinations (LPE, ILE, LRT) will be accepted as proof of the level of knowledge of languages indicated in the online applications.
• For other issues, visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances. 

HOW TO APPLY

• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application
• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
•  We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.

If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance: https://fao.service-now.com/csp

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