Chief Forecaster: Marine

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To apply, click on the link at the end of the posts and all the best with your applications

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) is a Section 3(a) public entity under the Ministry of Forestry,
Fisheries, and the Environment (DFFE) and is governed by a Board. The organisation is an authoritative
voice for weather and climate related services in South Africa and is a member of the World
Meteorological Organisation (WMO) to fulfil a range of international obligations of the government.
South African Weather Service (SAWS) strives to be a Weather and Climate Centre of Excellence
providing innovative solutions to ensure a weather-smart region, sustainable development, and
economic growth.

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) is therefore seeking to appoint an efficient and enthusiastic
person to undertake the role of:

Chief Forecaster: Marine
Paterson Grade: D2
TCTC Salary range: R655 133 – R898 855
Centre: Marine Research Unit, Cape Town
(Ref. Ref. WS06/122025)

Job Summary:
The Chief Forecaster is primarily responsible for providing expert scientific leadership for marine
meteorological forecast products and services at SAWS. S/he will ensure the highest technical
standards, regulatory compliance, and operational excellence in marine forecasts and warnings. The
successful candidate will maintain and build SAWS’s reputation as a trusted provider of marine
weather services, especially in high-impact marine event situations, while leading innovation through
advanced forecasting techniques such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning.

Key Performance Areas:
The candidate will be required to:

Provide technical and scientific leadership for marine weather forecasting, ensuring the
integrity and accuracy of marine products and services.
Introduce, maintain, and continuously improve a quality-assurance framework for marine high
impact weather products.
Lead and conduct marine competency assessments, including marine forecaster training, in
line with WMO recommended standards.
Ensure marine forecasts, warnings, and services comply with national and international
regulatory manuals and guidelines (WMO, IMO, IHO).
Represent SAWS in national and international marine meteorology forums, advisory/expert
groups, and scientific panels.
Develop strategic collaborations with other meteorological and oceanographic institutions
(locally and globally).
Drive peer-reviewed research, case studies, and scientific publications in marine meteorology.
Oversee the dissemination of marine weather forecasts to key stakeholders: shipping,
fisheries, search and rescue, maritime authorities, ports, and others.
Champion the adoption of advanced forecasting technology (e.g., AI, Machine Learning) to
improve marine forecasting skill.
Lead SAWS’s role as a Regional Specialised Meteorological Centre (RSMC) for marine services
in its area of responsibility (METAREA VII).
Liaise with other RSMCs (e.g., La Réunion) and WMO marine working groups.
Contribute to WMO-level documentation on marine forecasting standards and practices.
Collaborate with other SAWS departments to monitor, improve and fully leverage observation
and forecasting systems.
Promote the awareness of marine SAWS products and services to relevant stakeholders.
Supervise and mentor marine senior forecasters/forecasters: guide career development,
forecasting performance, and professional growth.
Responsible for budget planning and monitoring for the marine forecasting services.
Oversee the marine forecasting services’ compliance with SAWS Total Quality Management
(TQM) system.

Required Minimum Education/Training:

B.sc (Hons) in Meteorology, Atmospheric Sciences, Oceanography and/or WMO BIP-M/
Postgraduate Certificate in Weather Forecasting.
Registered for or completed an M.sc in Meteorology, Atmospheric Sciences, or
Oceanography

Required Minimum Work Experience:

At least 5 years’ of experience as a Senior Forecaster.
At least 10 years’ overall technical experience in weather forecasting.

Technical and Behavioural Competencies Required

Proficiency in high-level programming languages (e.g., Python, MATLAB).
Experience with numerical weather prediction models (NWP), and desire to learn more
about coastal ocean modelling.
Strong project management experience.
Excellent analytical and creative thinking skills.
High emotional intelligence and leadership ability.
Innovative mindset, with proven record of leading new forecasting techniques/technologies.
Excellent communication skills (written and verbal) and formal scientific writing.
Mentorship and performance evaluation experience.

Please Note:
The position is a standard-office hours (08:00 – 17:00) but may require extended work hours during
periods of high impact weather events.
Register as user on our website using this link: https://www.weathersa.co.za/home/vacancies to apply
for the above position and upload your (Comprehensive CV with certified copies of qualifications).

Enquiries for the above-mentioned positions must be directed to: Ms Portia Takalani, at Tel. (012)
367 6208.

Preference will be given to People living with disabilities in line with SAWS EE targets. This is an EE
position and preference will be given to females, Africans, Indians and Coloureds (AIC).
Correspondence will be limited to short listed candidates only. Candidates who have not been
contacted within 3 months after the closing date of this advertisement, please accept that your
application was unsuccessful. The South African Weather Service is an equal opportunity employer.