ECMWF’s principal objectives are the development of numerical methods for medium-range and seasonal weather forecasting; the preparation, on a regular basis, of medium-range and long-range 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 of the atmosphere, ocean and surface. See also:

www.ecmwf.int/research

ECMWF’s main computing facility includes supercomputers and archiving and data handling systems. ECMWF is connected to the meteorological organisations of its Member States and Co-operating States via efficient networks linking currently 40 countries.

A detailed description is available at:

www.ecmwf.int/services/computing/overview

Main duties:

This post is in the Computer Operations Section of the Computer Division. The successful candidate will supervise a small team working a 12-hour shift system covering 24 hours a day, 365 days per year.

The successful candidate will have the role of Duty Manager and as such will be responsible for the monitoring of the performance of ECMWF’s computing systems and the running of operational tasks. Outside normal working hours the Duty Manager takes responsibility for the Centre, including issues not related to the computing service.

The responsibilities will include responding to hardware, software and application alerts, first-level problem diagnosis, problem logging and appropriate escalation, ensuring clear and consistent communication with all parties from alert, through analysis, to resolution. The Duty Manager has to ensure that internal communication and handovers are consistent and to the required standard.

The incumbent’s responsibilities, along with the other team members, will also include continuous improvement of procedures, monitoring and operational efficiencies through the identification of monitoring and tasks suitable for automation and assistance with the implementation thereof whenever possible.

Qualifications:

The post calls for a good standard of secondary education.

Candidates must have at least five years’ operating experience in a large-scale computing environment and be able to demonstrate a good working knowledge of a UNIX-based operating system. Experience of shift work and of leading a team of operators, as well as some experience of system and network monitoring tools would all be seen as significant advantages.

Knowledge of IBM’s LoadLeveller and AIX would be desirable.

Candidates would be expected to show that they possess:

An understanding of the operational use of supercomputers, servers, storage, operating systems, networks and monitoring tools.
Previous experience of support duties in an operational environment.
The ability to lead and work effectively as part of a small team.
Excellent communication skills (written and verbal).
The ability to analyse and report problems, using system information and logs.
The ability to work effectively under pressure.
An understanding of the importance of accurate and well structured documentation.
A commitment to personal and team development, with a willingness to learn new skills.
A sense of responsibility as they will be the senior person at ECMWF outside office hours.

Staff are normally recruited from among the nationals of the following Member and Co-operating States: Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Montenegro, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom.

The working languages of ECMWF are English, French and German; fluency in English is essential.

Remuneration:

B5: £3,136.84 to £4,169.64 basic salary per month net of tax, plus a monthly shift allowance of 37.33% of respective basic salary.

In principle, a staff member will be engaged at the lowest step of the lower grade of the post for which he or she is selected.

A deduction is made from the basic salary for the Pension Scheme and for Partial Invalidity (currently 8.8% for the Pension Scheme and 0.2% for Partial Invalidity). A further 1.46% of basic salary and related allowances is currently deducted for the ECMWF Supplementary Health Insurance Scheme.

Where applicable: household allowance of 6% of basic salary; children’s allowance of £214.41 per child per month; expatriation allowance of 14% or 18% of basic salary for expatriates; education allowance for children of expatriates is added.

Starting date: 1 September 2010.

Length of contract: Maximum of four years for initial contract, with the possibility of renewal.

Applications: Application forms in word format can be downloaded from here (162kb) and completed on-line. If you download, you may (if near to the closing date) e-mail the completed form only back to ECMWF at jobs@ecmwf.int. Please note, however, that you must still send your full application form together with all the attachments to ECMWF by post. Under no circumstances should you e-mail your attachments.

Closing date: Completed applications for this post must reach the Personnel Section of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts not later than 8 April 2010.

[Version française] [Deutsche Fassung]

* 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, Hungary, Israel, Latvia, Lithuania, former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro, Morocco, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia and Slovenia.

Date of Issue: 11 February 2010
Posted: 11 February 2010

24.03.2010