Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is a specialized UN agency mandated to lead global efforts to eradicate hunger and achieve food security for all. Its core objective is to ensure sustained access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food that enables people to lead active and healthy lives. With 195 members—194 countries and the European Union—FAO operates in over 130 countries. In Sri Lanka, FAO has been engaged since 1979, with its country representation established in Colombo to support national development priorities in agriculture, food security, nutrition and resilience.

FAO contributes to the realization of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development through its Strategic Framework, which focuses on transforming agri-food systems to be more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable. This transformation is operationalized through the “Four Betters”: Better Production, Better Nutrition, a Better Environment and a Better Life, while ensuring that no one is left behind.

Since 2025, FAO Sri Lanka has initiated drought-related anticipatory action. While Sri Lanka currently undertakes drought monitoring based on observed conditions, there is a critical gap in operational drought prediction. Effective anticipatory action requires reliable, science-based drought forecasting with adequate lead time to trigger predefined actions that reduce agricultural and livelihood losses.

Under the Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP/SRL/4102), a Drought Forecasting Expert is to be recruited to support the Government of Sri Lanka—particularly the Department of Agriculture, Department of Meteorology and Disaster Management Centre—to develop and institutionalize an advanced drought prediction system through strengthened technical collaboration, data integration and capacity building. This proposed programme is expected to run through December 2027.

Key activities include:
• Activity 1: Provide technical support to strengthen drought prediction capabilities and develop context-specific drought indices for FAO programming and analysis.
• Activity 2: Support the operationalization and application of drought forecasts within FAO-supported agricultural decision-making systems and anticipatory action frameworks.
• Activity 3: Provide technical support for the development and implementation of anticipatory action triggers and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) under FAO-led initiatives.
• Activity 4: Support FAO in enhancing national capacities and promoting long-term institutional sustainability through technical assistance, knowledge management, and capacity-strengthening activities.

Reporting Lines

The Drought Forecasting Expert will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative for Sri Lanka and the Maldives and the direct supervision of the Assistant FAO Representative (Programmes). Working closely with the Anticipatory Action Coordinator. In addition, the Expert will work closely with FAO RAP Disaster Resilience and Inclusion team specifically the Early Warning Systems Expert and Regional Anticipatory Action Specialist.

Technical Focus

The objective of the assignment is to support FAO country office in developing, testing and validating triggering methodologies and impact-based forecasting for Anticipatory Action in Sri Lanka. The incumbent will further support the standardization of processes and assist the FAO project team in advancing mainstreaming and outreach efforts within government systems.

Tasks and responsibilities

The Drought Forecasting Expert will be responsible for the following specific tasks:
Main Task 1: Provide technical support to strengthen drought prediction capabilities and develop context-specific drought indices for FAO programming and analysis.

• Compile, organize, and quality-control historical and near-real-time climate, crop, and hydrological datasets from available technical sources to support FAO drought analysis and monitoring activities.
• Provide technical support for the development and operationalization of the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) at multiple time scales (SPI-1, SPI-3, and SPI-6) using national and district-level baseline data for FAO applications.
• Design and refine AI/ML-based Composite Drought Index (CDI) for agricultural drought monitoring and anticipatory action planning.
• Support in defining agriculture-relevant drought severity thresholds across major agro-ecological zones to strengthen drought risk analysis and early action systems.
• Provide technical support for the testing and validation of drought indices and triggers using historical drought events and associated crop loss datasets to inform FAO anticipatory action frameworks.

Main Task 2: Support the operationalization and application of drought forecasts within FAO-supported agricultural decision-making systems and anticipatory action frameworks.

• Support the integration of SPI and CDI outputs into FAO-supported seasonal agricultural planning and analysis for Maha and Yala cultivation cycles.
• Translating drought forecasts into crop-specific technical advisories, including guidance on planting timing, crop variety selection, and input management practices.
• Provide technical support for the preparation of district-level drought outlook products and analytical briefs to inform FAO anticipatory action and agricultural planning activities.
• Incorporate drought signals and forecast information into FAO-supported agrometeorological bulletins, early warning products, and technical advisories.

Main Task 3: Provide technical support for the development and implementation of anticipatory action triggers and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) under FAO-led initiatives.

• Support FAO in defining forecast-based trigger thresholds for agricultural anticipatory actions under drought risk management frameworks.
• Provide technical support to align drought trigger methodologies and analytical approaches with existing early warning and anticipatory action frameworks relevant to FAO operations.
• Support FAO in reviewing and refining Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that link forecast information with predefined early actions, including agricultural input support and technical advisories.
• Provide technical support for forecast interpretation, trigger analysis, and anticipatory action planning processes under FAO-led initiatives.
• Assist FAO-supported programmes with the pilot implementation, monitoring, and technical review of anticipatory actions in selected drought-prone districts.

Main Task 4 Support FAO in enhancing national capacities and promoting long-term institutional sustainability through technical assistance, knowledge management, and capacity-strengthening activities.

• Provide input and assist FAO-supported technical training programmes on drought indices, forecast interpretation, and management of forecast uncertainty.
• Develop user guidelines, technical manuals, and knowledge products related to drought monitoring and anticipatory action systems.
• Support the integration and operational use of drought monitoring and forecasting tools within the CROPIX platform and other FAO-supported systems.
• Document lessons learned, good practices, and technical experiences to support knowledge management and contribute to roadmap development for scaling up anticipatory action initiatives.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced degree in agrometeorology, meteorology, climate science, agronomy, or environmental studies;
• At least 5 years of relevant experience in public and/or private sectors in meteorology with sufficient background in climate/weather data, monitoring, and forecasts, and setting up of the climate information systems linking climate information providers and users in agricultural sector.
• Working knowledge (level C) of English and Sinhala/Tamil
• National of Sri Lanka

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Demonstrated experience and good knowledge of national disaster risk management in including drought risk management;
• Ability to interact tactfully and effectively with multiple institutional actors in diverse sectors and at diverse levels;
• Proven capacity to conduct fieldwork and ability to work in teams and establish working relationships with central and local government institutions and civil society organizations;
• Good command of computer skills (MS Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Internet);
• Understanding of FAO policies and programme is considered a strong asset.
• Good interpersonal skills with experience in networking with partners in Sri Lanka at all levels (Ministries, donors, private sector, NGOs, and local community-based organizations)
• Experience working with preparing reports and presenting information visually.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
• Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted
• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/
• For additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.