AI Specialist - Impact Based Forecasting

Position Title: AI Specialist - Impact Based Forecasting Due to the operational nature of this role, preference will be given toapplicants who are currently based in Chennai, India and possess valid work authorization. RIMES is committed to diversity and equal opportunity in employment.

Open Period: 11 July 2025 – 10 August 2025

Background: The Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System for Africa and Asia (RIMES) is an international and intergovernmental institution, owned and governed by its Member States, for the generation, application, and communication of multi-hazard early warning information. RIMES was formed in the aftermath of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, as a collective response by countries in Africa and Asia to establish a regional early warning system within a multi-hazard framework, to strengthen preparedness and response to trans-boundary hazards.

RIMES was formally established on 30 April 2009 and registered with the United Nations on 1 July 2009. It operates from its regional early warning center located at the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) campus in Pathumthani, Thailand.

Position Description: The AI Specialist – Impact-Based Forecasting design and implement AI-based solutions to support predictive analytics and intelligent decision support across sectors (e.g., climate services, disaster management /The AI Specialist will play a central role in building robust data pipelines, integrating multi-source datasets, and enabling real-time data-driven decision-making by stakeholders.

The role involves drawing from and contribute to multi-disciplinary datasets and working closely with a multi-disciplinary team within RIMES for generating IBF DSS, developing contingency plans, automating monitoring systems, contributing to Post-Disaster Needs Assessments (PDNA), and applying AI/ML techniques for risk reduction. This position requires a strong understanding of meteorological, hydrological, vulnerability and exposure patterns and translates data into actionable insights for disaster preparedness and resilience planning.

The position reports to the Meteorology and Disaster Risk Modeling Specialist and India Regional Program Adviser, overseeing the AI Specialist – Impact-Based Forecasting’s work or as assigned by RIMES’ institutional structure and in close coordination with the Systems Research and Development Specialist and Project Manager.

Duty station: RIMES Project Office Chennai, India (or other locations as per project requirements).

Type of Contract: Full-time Project-Based contract

Skills and Qualifications:

Education:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, or a related field.

Experience:

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in data engineering, analytics, or IT systems for disaster management, meteorology, or climate services.
• Experience in multi-stakeholder projects and facilitating capacity-building programs.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

• Machine Learning Fundamentals: Deep understanding of various ML algorithms, including supervised, unsupervised, and reinforcement learning. This includes regression, classification, clustering, time series analysis, anomaly detection, etc.
• Deep Learning: Proficiency with deep learning architectures (e.g., CNNs, RNNs, LSTMs, Transformers) and frameworks (TensorFlow, PyTorch, Keras). Ability to design, train, and optimize complex neural networks.
• Strong programming skills in Python, with extensive libraries (NumPy, Pandas, SciPy, Scikit-learn, Matplotlib, Seaborn, GeoPandas).
• Familiarity with AI tools: such as PyTorch, TensorFlow, Keras, MLflow, etc.
• Data Visualization: Ability to create clear, compelling visualizations to communicate complex data and model outputs.
• Familiarity with early warning systems, disaster risk frameworks, and sector-specific IBF requirements is a strong plus.
• Proficiency in technical documentation and user training.

Personal Qualities:

• Excellent interpersonal skills; team-orientated work style; pleasant personality.
• Strong desire to learn and undertake new challenges.
• Creative problem-solver; willing to work hard.
• Analytical thinker with problem-solving skills.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to work under pressure.
• Self-motivated, adaptable, and capable of working in multicultural and multidisciplinary environments.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to coordinate with stakeholders.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

Impact Based Forecasting

• Collaborate with other members of the IT team, meteorologists, hydrologists, GIS specialists, and disaster risk management experts within RIMES to ensure the development of IBF DSS.
• Develop AI models (e.g., NLP, computer vision, reinforcement learning)
• Integrate models into applications and dashboards.
• Ensure model explainability and ethical compliance.
• Assist the RIMES Team in applying AI/ML models to forecast hazards and project likely impacts based on exposure and vulnerability indices.
• Work with forecasters and domain experts to automate the generation of impact-based products.
• Ensure data security, backup, and compliance with data governance and interoperability standards.
• Train national counterparts on the use and management of the AL, including analytics dashboards.
• Collaborate with GIS experts, hydromet agencies, and emergency response teams for integrated service delivery.
• Technical documentation on data architecture, models, and systems.

Capacity Building and Stakeholder Engagement

• Facilitate training programs for team members and stakeholders, focusing on RIMES policies, regulations, and the use of forecasting tools.
• Develop and implement a self-training plan to enhance personal expertise, obtaining a trainer certificate as required.
• Prepare and implement training programs to enhance team capacity and submit training outcome reports.

Reporting

• Prepare technical reports, progress updates, and outreach materials for stakeholders.
• Maintain comprehensive project documentation, including strategies, milestones, and outcomes.
• Capacity-building workshop materials and training reports.

Other Responsibilities

• Utilize AI skills to assist in system implementation plans and decision support system (DSS) development.
• Utilize skills to assist in system implementation plans and decision support system (DSS) development.
• Assist in 24/7 operational readiness for client early warning systems such as SOCs, with backup support from RIMES Headquarters.
• Undertake additional tasks as assigned by the immediate supervisor or HR manager based on recommendations from RIMES technical team members and organizational needs.
• The above responsibilities are illustrative and not exhaustive. Undertake any other relevant tasks that could be needed from time to time.

Contract Duration

The contract will initially be for one year and may be extended based on the satisfactory completion of a 180-day probationary period and subsequent annual performance reviews.

How to Apply:

Interested candidates should send your application letter, resume, salary expectation and 2 references to rimeshra@rimes.int by midnight of 10 August 2025, Bangkok time.

Please state “AI Specialist—Impact-Based Forecasting: Your Name “the Subject line of the email. Only short-listed applicants will be contacted.

Ms. Dusadee Padungkul

Head-Department of Operational Support

Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System

AIT Campus, 58 Moo 9 Paholyothin Rd., Klong 1,

Klong Luang, Pathumthani 12120 Thailand.

RIMES promotes diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Well-qualified applicants particularly women are encouraged to apply.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: ₹50,000.00 - ₹100,000.00 per month

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Chepauk, Chennai, Tamil Nadu: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Preferred)

Application Question(s):

• Kindly specify your salary expectation per month.
• Do you have any experience or interest in working with international or non-profit organizations? Please explain.

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

Experience:

• working with international organization: 1 year (Preferred)
• Data engineering: 3 years (Required)
• Data analytics: 3 years (Required)
• Disaster management: 3 years (Preferred)

Language:

• English (Required)

Location:

• Chepauk, Chennai, Tamil Nadu (Required)