Regional Climate and Anticipatory Modeling Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
Action Against Hunger is a global organization dedicated to ending hunger. Established with the mission to develop innovative solutions and advocate for lasting change, the organization reaches approximately 24 million people annually through effective hunger prevention and treatment programs. Action Against Hunger operates in over 50 countries, partnering with communities to tackle the root causes of hunger, which include climate change, conflict, inequality, and emergencies. The organization is part of the Action Against Hunger International network and manages operations in several countries including Kenya, South Sudan, Somalia, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Zambia, and Haiti.

Job Overview:
The Regional Climate and Anticipatory Modeling Specialist will play a crucial role in providing technical leadership in climate science, hydrometeorological modeling, environmental-risk analysis, and the development of anticipatory-action triggers across the Greater Horn of Africa. This position is designed for an experienced climate scientist or hydrometeorological modeling specialist who can effectively translate advanced technical analysis into practical humanitarian decision-making, particularly in fragile and climate-vulnerable contexts. The Specialist will be responsible for translating climate intelligence from various sources into operational trigger matrices, Early Action Protocols, contingency plans, and preparedness decisions across Somalia, Ethiopia, Djibouti, and South Sudan. This role requires a deep understanding of climate data and its implications for humanitarian action, as well as the ability to lead the calibration and validation of multi-hazard models and strengthen cross-border trigger systems.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The key responsibilities of the Regional Climate and Anticipatory Modeling Specialist include leading the development, calibration, and validation of multi-hazard climate and hydrometeorological models that support anticipatory action across Somalia, Ethiopia, Djibouti, and South Sudan. The Specialist will analyze and integrate various climate datasets, apply drought, flood, heat, and climate-projection models to produce decision-ready risk information, and assess shared river-basin risks and seasonal migration corridors. Additionally, the Specialist will review existing early-warning systems, produce accessible climate-risk bulletins, lead the development of multi-hazard trigger matrices, conduct cross-border trigger-validation exercises, and ensure methodologies align with national disaster-risk management systems. The role also involves developing technical guidance, leading climate-informed malnutrition modeling for South Sudan, and integrating climate adaptation and environmental sustainability into design" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">program design.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s or master’s degree in Climate Science, Meteorology, Hydrology, Physical Geography, Environmental Science, Atmospheric Sciences, or a closely related field. Advanced training in climate modeling, hydrometeorological risk, forecast-based humanitarian action, or climate adaptation is strongly preferred. Additional qualifications in Disaster Risk Reduction, GIS, Remote Sensing, Humanitarian Action, or environmental management are advantageous. Candidates should have a minimum of seven years of relevant experience in climate science, hydrometeorological modeling, early-warning system development, or environmental-risk analysis, with at least three years of experience applying climate or environmental expertise within the humanitarian or international development sector in fragile or climate-vulnerable contexts.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Bachelor’s or master’s degree in relevant fields such as Climate Science, Meteorology, Hydrology, Physical Geography, Environmental Science, Atmospheric Sciences, or closely related disciplines. Advanced training in climate modeling and related areas is highly desirable, and additional qualifications in Disaster Risk Reduction or GIS are considered beneficial.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of seven years of relevant experience in climate science, hydrometeorological modeling, early-warning system development, or environmental-risk analysis. Candidates should have at least three years of experience applying their expertise within the humanitarian or international development sector, particularly in fragile or climate-vulnerable contexts. Furthermore, candidates should have at least five years of experience in climate forecasting and demonstrated expertise with seasonal forecasting tools and models.

Languages:
Full professional fluency in written and spoken English is mandatory for this position. Additionally, a working knowledge of Somali, Amharic, or French is considered a strong advantage, as it may facilitate communication with local stakeholders and enhance the effectiveness of the role.

Additional Notes:
This position may require travel approximately 30%–40% of the working time across Somalia, Ethiopia, Djibouti, and South Sudan, including remote, cross-border, and high-security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security locations. Candidates should be available outside standard working hours during seasonal forecast windows, simulation exercises, After-Action Reviews, and Crisis Modifier monitoring periods. The role is full-time and may involve working in challenging environments, requiring a strong commitment to humanitarian principles and the ability to adapt to dynamic situations.