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Call for Applications: Observations Coordination Group Vice Chair WMO/WIGOS

Deadline: 26 September 2025

The Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) is seeking applications for Vice Chair WMO/WIGOS for its Observations Coordination Group (OCG). 

GOOS is the major ocean observing programmatic element of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) Medium-term Strategy 2022–2029 and the WMO-IOC Collaborative Strategy. GOOS is the global locus for ocean observing coordination. The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO is lead sponsor of GOOS and collaborates closely with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) as well as United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and International Science Council (ISC) as co-sponsors. 

GOOS supports ocean observing frameworks and coordinating infrastructure, it works with 84 contributing nations, observing networks, institutions, and a community of scientists, technicians and practitioners to strengthen the global ocean observing system through standards, best practices, FAIR data implementation, and co-design towards a fit-for-purpose ocean observing information delivery system. GOOS advocates across the United Nations on the critical need for ocean observations to safely navigate the future. GOOS also connects with policy around climate, weather and hazard warnings, biodiversity, coastal resilience and a sustainable blue economy, to ensure that the global ocean observing system meets stakeholder needs for ocean information. 

The WMO Integrated Global Observing System (WIGOS) is a WMO priority as the overarching framework for all observing systems delivering for weather, climate, and water applications. WIGOS provides a framework for all the WMO-sponsored and co-sponsored observing systems, within which GOOS is a key component.

Background: Observations Coordination Group

The OCG works to guide and strengthen the implementation of GOOS and relevant aspects of WMO observing systems through coordinating across the global ocean observing networks (see the OCG Terms of Reference, membership, governance, and operating principles here). The work of the OCG is expanding and becoming more complex as societal demand for ocean information is increasing and the number of global ocean observing networks and connections with the private sector are also increasing. 

The OCG vision is to support the delivery of a fit-for-purpose, integrated, and coherent Global Ocean Observing System of networks. There are now 13 mature ocean observing networks and 4 emerging observing networks, and the OCG also manages the Work Plan of the IOC-WMO Joint Operational Centre – OceanOPS – which provides services to GOOS, WMO, and to the global ocean observing networks. The OCG develops actions under 8 current foci:

  • Defining and responding to observing system needs
  • Observing Advances
  • Standards and Best Practices
  • Data Management
  • OceanOPS
  • Metrics 
  • Environmental Stewardship
  • Capacity Development

The work of the OCG is at the heart of strengthening, streamlining, and evolving the ocean observing system to be responsive to the needs of Member States and other users. Insight into the current work of the OCG can be gained from the most recent annual meeting OCG-16.

Role of the OCG Vice Chair WMO/WIGOS

The OCG Vice Chair WMO/WIGOS acts as a bridge between the oceanographic and meteorological communities, and undertakes the activities as detailed in Annex 1. This is an important role for the OCG, GOOS, and WMO, and ensuring operational delivery of data into the Global Telecommunications System (GTS) and in the future WMO Information System (WIS2.0) is a primary function. A number of the GOOS global networks have their roots in delivering both oceanic and marine meteorological data, including the Voluntary Observing Ships (VOS, the oldest network), drifting buoys, and Automated Shipboard Aerological Programme (ASAP). Oceanographic networks including profiling floats (Argo), Animal Borne Sensors (AniBOS), moored buoys (DBCP and OceanSITES), sea level gauges (GLOSS), and the new emerging networks the Fishing Vessel Observing Network (FVON) and Uncrewed Vehicles (SUN Fleet), also have important roles in gathering data vital to weather and hazard forecasting, and almost all networks deliver data vital for climate knowledge and adaptation. WMO is a complex organisation, and works with observations across ocean, atmosphere, cryosphere and terrestrial realms, a key element of the role is understanding WMO policy and ensuring that processes are aligned and not replicated.

The OCG Vice Chair WMO/WIGOS is an active role and requires someone who has experience in ocean observing and meteorology. It is anticipated that the role will take 10% of a normal working week. The Vice Chair is a member of the OCG Executive and works with the OCG Co-Chairs and the OCG Vice Chairs for Data Management and Standards and Best Practices, OceanOPS and the IOC and WMO secretariats to evolve the work. 

The ideal candidates will have management experience in ocean observing, knowledge of the work of WMO/WIGOS, GOOS, OCG, and the global ocean observing networks. The set of attributes and skills that GOOS is seeking and the commitments are laid out in the Annexes. The OCG Vice Chair WMO/WIGOS is appointed for a term of up to 5 years. It is anticipated that the role will be appointed in early October 2025. 

Application process

Applicants are kindly requested to send their CV and cover letter, indicating how they meet the required experience and skills, as outlined in Annex 1. In addition, applicants are requested to include confirmation that they have, or anticipate receiving, permission from their employer (as relevant) to undertake this role.

Please send applications via email to Ms Weronika Kmiec (w.kmiec@unesco.org), deadline 26 September 2025. Any questions about the role can be addressed to Dr Emma Heslop (e.heslop@unesco.org).

The selection will be made in late September 2025, and candidates will be invited to interview for appointment in early October 2025.

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