The jobholder oversees the operation of the Regional flood management center and ensures the provision of accurate and timely forecasting and early warning information products. He or she supports the Member Countries in managing the river flood forecasting along mainstream stations in the flood season, water level monitoring in the dry season and provides country-wide (LMB-wide only for Thailand) flash-flood guidance in flood season. Moreover, he or she supports MRC Member Countries in developing capacities for effective management of drought risks in the LMB. He or she therefore uses relevant monitoring systems and assures the timely dissemination of regional flood forecasts and warnings (alerts) to stakeholders, as well as information on drought.

Under the management direction of the Division Director and technical advice of the Chief Hydrologist and in close collaboration with the Operational hydro-meteorologist/forecaster, the incumbent performs the following duties:

• Receive and check quality of incoming hydro-met data transmitted from monitoring stations in Member Countries, verify model input data, simulate water levels and provide forecasting analyses based on model results;
• Provide regular forecasting services to Member Countries, e.g.:
  • Flood season: daily 1-5 days flood forecast
  • Dry season: weekly water level forecast
  • Provide flash flood guidance at village (CMA-LAO) and district levels (TL-VN)
  • Provide flash-flood analysis based on retrieved maps and create village- and district level-flash flood alerts
  • Drought monitoring and forecasting in the whole LMB
  • Calibrate and update forecasting models, in close cooperation with the Modellers;
  • Improve and ensure accuracy of flood forecasting system;
  • Improve Flood Early Warning System and ensure bias correction;
  • Disseminate forecasts and warnings to stakeholders through MRC website and agreed mechanisms with Member Countries;
  • Prepare report on forecasting and guidance activities as required;
  • Contribute to the development of relevant technical guidelines as led by other specialists / Divisions;
  • Provide technical support to the work of the MRC’s regional technical/expert group related to flood risk management, climate change, and/or emergency response (if applicable), and contribute to the work of other regional groups as required;
  • Ensure that relevant knowledge and products developed by the MRC are available at the national level to assist decision-making processes;
  • Contribute to and support the implementation of the MRC Procedures, especially in what regards river monitoring;
  • Perform other relevant tasks as required.

a) Supervision requirements: The position holder supports the Division Director to supervise the Assistant forecaster. 

b) Level of autonomy: Decision making follows defined procedures. The position does not administer a budget, yet has responsibility for ensuring the financial accountability of MRC.

c) Level of problem solving required: Problem solving skill is expected and the incumbent must display sensitivity, initiative and creativity

d) Level and type of communications required: Communications are wide, within and outside the organisation, and require considerable oral and written skills.

Certificate

University degree (Master or higher) in hydrology, hydraulic engineering  or other related field

Additional certificates

• TOEIC certificate with 600 points and over is required. An equivalent internationally recognized certificate or a university degree from an internationally recognized academic institution whose instruction is in English may also be considered.

Experience

• Minimum 10 years of experience in developing and implementing river forecasting and modelling in large rivers
• Minimum 7 years of experience in hydrological modelling and/or operational flood forecasting
• Operational management of flood forecasting systems is highly desirable

Knowledge

Level (1-3)
1 = Required 2 = Desirable 3 = Optional

Hydrological forecasting models

1

Computer programming languages

1

New technologies and emerging trends in flood forecasting

1

Operational management of flood forecasting systems

2

Skills

Level (1-3)
1 = Required 2 = Desirable 3 = Optional

Fast system operating

1

Time management

1

Problem solving (e.g. imperfect data)

1

Cross-cultural and interdisciplinary communication

1

Dissemination of information and warnings

1

IT

2

Attitudes

Level (1-3)
1 = Required 2 = Desirable 3 = Optional

Willingness to undertake regular field trips to identify and solve problems with stations

1

Work outside of normal office working hours in flood season, taking shift work in order to guarantee 24/7 forecasting availability

1

Attention to details

1

Autonomous working

2

 Mekong River Commission 

Office of the Secretariat in Vientiane (OSV)
P.O. Box 6101, 184 Fa Ngoum Road
Vientiane 01000, Lao PDR
Email: mrcs@mrcmekong.org

Cambodia National Mekong Committee

P.O.Box 623, 364 Monivong Blvd.,
Sangkat Phsar Doerm Thkouv, Khan Chamkar Mon, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Tel. (855-23) 216 514   Fax. (855-23) 218 506

E-mail:cnmcs@cnmc.gov.kh or      

           sinsamnang9@gmail.com or

           khom.sk@gmail.com

Lao National Mekong Committee

Khunbulom Road, Chantabouly District, Vientiane, Lao PDR.

Tel. (856-21) 260 983   Fax. (856-21) 260 984

E-mail:  bigpink2@gmail.com or

            ketsanalaos@gmail.com

Thai National Mekong Committee

Department of Water Resources

180/3 Rama 6 Road, SoiPhibulWatanaBuilding

Phayathai, Bangkok 10400 Thailand

Tel. (66-2) 271 6165, 271 6620

Fax. (66-2) 298 6605

E-mail: tnmc@dwr.mail.go.th

Viet Nam National Mekong Committee

23 Hang Tre, Ha Noi, Viet Nam

Tel. (84-4) 825 4785   Fax. (84-4) 825 6929

E-mail:  vnmc.personnel@gmail.com