Consultant (Analyst) in the Web Group

ENVIRONMENT:

The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) is an international organisation supported by 34 States*.

ECMWF's principal objectives are the development of numerical methods for medium range, monthly and seasonal weather forecasting; the preparation, on a regular basis, of these weather forecasts for distribution to the meteorological services of the Member States; scientific and technical research directed to the improvement of these forecasts; and the collection and storage of appropriate meteorological data. Satellite and in situ observations provide the information for up-to-date global analyses and reanalyses of the atmosphere, ocean and surface. For details see: www.ecmwf.int/research

ECMWF's main computing facility includes supercomputers, archiving and data handling systems. ECMWF is connected to the meteorological telecommunication system and to its Member States via efficient networks linking 44 countries. A detailed description is available at: www.ecmwf.int/services/computing/overview

MAIN DUTIES:

This post is in the Web Group in the Servers and Desktops Section of the Computer Division of ECMWF. The Web Group is a small team of five, responsible for technical aspects of ECMWF websites, both internal and external. The team provides 24x7 support for ECMWF's web-based operational forecast applications and products. The team's current main project is the ECMWF Web2013 project for the creation of ECMWF's new external website. This is planned to be complete by March 2014, and includes the provision of a new web content management system (Drupal) and search facility; new web design, structure and content; and new web applications for forecast charts and data.

The main duties of the post include:

• providing support for web services;
• regular participation in 24-hour on-call rotas for operational services;
• maintaining existing web services, including web interfaces, web applications, web authoring tools, web platforms, databases and hardware infrastructure;
• providing technical resources and guidance for the development of new web services, particularly related to backend web development and Linux system administration.

QUALIFICATIONS:

A university education to at least degree standard or equivalent is required, combined with at least five years of relevant professional experience. The successful candidate is expected to have experience in supporting, maintaining and developing highly available web services in Python and PHP in a Linux environment.

Experience in some of the following would be a distinct advantage:

• Perl or Java
• Drupal, Django or Tomcat
• MongoDB or SQL (PostgreSQL or MySQL)
• Service-oriented architecture
• Geographic information systems and web mapping
• SVN or GIT
• AJAX, JSON, XML
• Web content management systems (e.g. Drupal)
• Linux system administration

Web development experience within meteorology or other similar scientific disciplines would also be an advantage.

The successful candidate should be proactive, methodical, have good analytical skills and be able to demonstrate an ability to progress multiple tasks to completion and solve problems under pressure. The ability to work independently, taking initiative when required, and also to work with others as part of a larger team is essential.

A high level of professional skills is expected, but in acknowledging the diverse nature of the work, ECMWF will provide training where necessary.

The working languages of ECMWF are English, French and German. Candidates must be able to work effectively in English and a good knowledge of one of the other working languages would be desirable. Interviews will be conducted in English.

ECMWF has an Equal Opportunities Policy Statement and applications from all suitably qualified candidates are welcome.

REMUNERATION:

This consultancy position is remunerated at a level equivalent to a grade A2 staff position and the annual basic salary will be £52,299 net of tax.

Subject to individual circumstances and eligibility, other allowances may be added. Full details of salary scales and allowances are available on the ECMWF website at: www.ecmwf.int/newsevents/employment/en/conditions_consultants_en.html

STARTING DATE: As soon as possible.

LENGTH OF CONTRACT: Two years.

APPLICATIONS: Application forms can be downloaded from ECMWF's website: www.ecmwf.int/newsevents/employment/en/

CLOSING DATE: Completed applications for this post must reach the Personnel Section of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts not later than 2 April 2013.

* The ECMWF Member States are: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the United Kingdom.
The ECMWF Co-operating States are: Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Hungary, Israel, Latvia, Lithuania, Montenegro, Morocco, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia and Slovenia.