Observation Supervisor

Job Summary

The Observation Supervisor provides technical and operational oversight for the design, maintenance, and monitoring of the national weather observation stations network. This role involves supervising observation officers and volunteer workers, conducting quality control on climate data before transmission to headquarters, and implementing quality management systems conforming to international standards.

Qualification

Candidates must hold a degree from an accredited institution in one of the following fields:

• Degree in Meteorology
• Degree in Atmospheric Science
• Bachelor’s Degree in Statistics
• Degree in Geography
• Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Sciences
• Bachelor of Science in Mathematics
• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering
• Bachelor’s Degree in Biochemistry
• Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Meteorology
• Bachelor’s Degree in Hydrometeorology
• Bachelor’s Degree in Agrometeorology
• Bachelor’s Degree in Physics
• Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture
• Bachelor’s degree in Climatology

N.B. Candidates with a Bachelor's degree in other disciplines must possess a professional/technical certificate in the field of meteorology from a recognized WMO (World Meteorological Organization) Center/Institution.

Experience

• Minimum of 2 years of relevant working experience in meteorological observations.

Core Duties and Responsibilities

Station Network Design & Maintenance:

• Conduct, review, and design the weather observation stations network.
• Maintain close coordination with the Unit in charge of Meteorological Instruments.
• Carry out regular inspections and constantly monitor the performance of the station network.
• Determine specific meteorological variables to be observed.
• Capacity to maintain station instruments in good environmental working conditions.

Supervision & Quality Control:

• Carry out routine supervision of observation officers' conduct and work quality according to established rules and procedures.
• Supervise the performance of observation officers, assistants, and volunteer workers, ensuring a good working relationship.
• Maintain regular supervision of volunteer observer stations within the assigned management zone.
• Provide clear instruction and guidance on how weather data is corrected, processed, managed, and transmitted.
• Establish standards to be followed and ensure data is strictly quality-controlled before transmission to headquarters.
• Ensure both electronic and hard copies have duplicate records safely kept at the stations for future reference.

Climatology, Compliance & Administration:

• Document, monitor, and assess local and regional climate characteristics.
• Prepare and publish climate summaries across different time scales (Seasonal, Annual, and inter-annual).
• Implement a Quality Management System conforming to ISO standards 19001.
• Report on the quality and performance of overall data acquisition, distribution, and transmission systems, identifying needs for upgrades.
• Provide for participation in the WMO Commission for Instrument and Method of Observation.
• Execute division budgets, conduct staff personal appraisals, and provide staff technical training, coaching, and mentorship.
• Represent Mete Rwanda's interests and image within the area of control regarding weather and climate monitoring.

Skills & Competencies

Required Competencies & Technical Skills:

• Knowledge to maintain professional data observation, recording, transmission, and management.
• Ability to carry out weather observations and backstop network observers.
• Resource management, risk management, and digital literacy skills.
• Result-oriented with strong problem-solving capacities.
• Fluency in Kinyarwanda, English, and/or French (Knowledge of all three is an added advantage).

Behavioural & Psychometric Domains:

Candidates will be stringently evaluated against the following psychometric areas during testing:

• Problem solving
• Decision making
• Analytical skills
• Time management
• Clear and Effective Communication

Examination Structure & Timeline

The institutional selection procedure dictates that shortlisted candidates must successfully complete a multi-tiered evaluation process:

• Psychometric Test (Administered in English)
• Written Examination
• Oral Interview

Skills Required:

• Agricultural / Studies
• Economics / Statistics
• Environmental / Natural / Resource
• Mechanics / Mechanical / Engineering