Contract Type: STF-PL
Contract Duration: Two years, with potential for extension(s)
Your Role
ECMWF is undertaking a transformative initiative to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) across its support divisions—Finance, HR, Procurement, Communications, Legal, IT, and Facilities. This effort seeks to boost efficiency, scalability, and service quality, while supporting broader digital and ERP integration plans. The transformation is driven by a phased strategic roadmap and supported by an AI Task Force.
This position is key to addressing a knowledge and capacity gap in implementing ECMWF’s AI Corporate Strategy (2026–2035). As part of the AI Task Force, you will contribute to its coordination, assessment, and governance activities. Working closely with external consultants—procured separately—you will assist in evaluating workflows, data systems, and operational requirements, translating outcomes into concrete strategies. Your role will facilitate stakeholder engagement and ensure the effective, secure, and responsible adoption of AI solutions across the organisation.
At ECMWF, you will join a passionate community, committed to advancing technology and research in the field of numerical weather prediction. Notably, ECMWF became the first operational weather forecasting centre globally to integrate an AI-powered model with the successful deployment of the Artificial Intelligence Forecasting System (AIFS) in February 2025.
As AI Coordinator, you will guide the organic integration of AI innovations to support ECMWF’s corporate objectives. You will serve as the primary point of coordination for AI initiatives, ensuring seamless alignment with ECMWF’s corporate strategy, security requirements, and risk management principles.
About ECMWF
The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) is a global leader in Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP), providing critical data for weather forecasting and environmental monitoring. As an intergovernmental organisation, ECMWF collaborates internationally with its Member and Co-operating States to provide valuable weather predictions, data services, and training, directly contributing to the safety and prosperity of society.
ECMWF operates as a 24/7 research and operational hub, utilising advanced supercomputing capabilities and drawing on the expertise of an international team to deliver medium- and long-range predictions. It is home to one of the world’s largest meteorological data archives.
Our Mission: Delivering global medium-range numerical weather predictions and Earth system monitoring in collaboration with our Member States.
Our Vision: To lead the world in Earth system monitoring and prediction by advancing physical, computational, and data science, while fostering collaboration with the European Meteorological Infrastructure to promote safety and prosperity.
ECMWF also maintains strong partnerships with the European Union, including managing major components of the Destination Earth Initiative and operating the Copernicus Climate Change and Monitoring Services and supporting the Copernicus Emergency Management Service. Alongside weather and climate prediction, other key areas of focus include high-performance computing and the development of tools for weather, air quality, fire, climate, and flood forecasting.
With a multi-site organisational structure, ECMWF’s headquarters are located in Reading, UK, with a data centre in Bologna, Italy, and a significant presence in Bonn, Germany, which supports EU-related initiatives. ECMWF embraces flexibility and uses a hybrid working model, allowing employees to work remotely for up to 10 days monthly, including 80 days annually outside the duty station country.
For further insight into ECMWF’s work, visit: www.ecmwf.int
Your Responsibilities
- Lead and support the implementation of ECMWF’s AI Corporate Strategy, ensuring alignment with organisational priorities, ERP systems, and the AI Task Force’s work plans.
- Act as the main point-of-contact for external consultants, preparing teams for workshops and interviews, ensuring the availability of high-quality inputs, and managing day-to-day coordination across project workstreams.
- Review and evaluate consultant analyses of corporate workflows, systems, and operational requirements, ensuring recommendations are practical, compliant, and aligned with internal processes (HR, Finance, Procurement, Communications, IT).
- Define and develop AI use cases by translating business needs into clear challenges, identifying data and integration requirements, and ensuring coherence across departments.
- Facilitate the design and execution of AI pilot projects, particularly in areas such as intelligent document processing, dashboards, advanced analytics, knowledge management, and process automation.
- Propose solutions that optimise existing tools (e.g., Microsoft Copilot, Power BI, ERP modules) and evaluate alternatives that demonstrate added value.
- Contribute to governance, compliance, and risk management activities, ensuring all AI-related initiatives adhere to GDPR, organisational security protocols, and ethical AI principles.
- Draft technical and functional specifications for processes involving AI systems or corporate services.
- Support organisational capacity-building by designing and delivering training, increasing staff awareness, and driving change management to integrate AI-based ways of working.
- Monitor AI project outcomes, along with associated benefits and risks, providing updates to senior leadership and governance bodies to ensure the long-term impact and sustainability of initiatives.
What We’re Looking For
- Demonstrated Experience:
– Experience developing and implementing AI strategies, ideally within public sector or international organisations.
– Expertise in applied AI and automation, including large language models (LLMs), intelligent document processing, dashboards/analytics, and workflow automation.
– Proven success in integrating AI solutions into existing organisational workflows and IT infrastructure.
- Strong Knowledge of AI and Organisational Change:
– Understanding of organisational change, stakeholder engagement, and governance related to the deployment of AI/ML tools.
– Familiarity with GDPR, cybersecurity protocols, and ethical AI principles.
- Technical and Strategic Skills:
– Ability to map corporate workflows and system dependencies.
– Practical knowledge in managing complex, multi-stakeholder projects.
– Experience leading pilots, proofs of concept, and iterative development cycles is desirable.
– Knowledge of High-Performance Computing environments or experience within a scientific or intergovernmental organisation would be beneficial.
- Educational Qualifications:
– Advanced degree in data science, digital transformation, computer science, or a related field. Equivalent work experience may be considered.
- Personal Attributes:
– Exceptional communication and stakeholder-management skills.
– Strong leadership and team-building abilities across diverse, cross-functional groups.
– Commitment to inclusivity, responsible innovation, and ethical digital transformation.
Candidates must demonstrate proficiency in English. Knowledge of French or German (the Centre’s other official languages) would be an advantage but is not required.
Additional Information
- Grade & Remuneration: ECMWF offers competitive remuneration aligned with the salary scales of the Co-ordinated Organisations, along with a generous benefits package. Full details are available on the ECMWF careers page.
- Location: Reading, UK, or Bonn, Germany. Successful candidates are expected to relocate to the duty station. Staff may telework up to 10 days per month, including up to 80 days annually outside of their duty country but within ECMWF Member/Co-operating States.
- Inclusion & Diversity: ECMWF fosters an inclusive workplace where diversity is celebrated, promoting equality regardless of race, gender, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or culture.
How to Apply
To apply, complete the online application form through the Apply button above.
Contact: [email protected]
For information about the handling of personal data, please visit: https://www.ecmwf.int/en/privacy
Application Eligibility:
Open to nationals of ECMWF Member and Co-operating States, EU Member States, and candidates in exceptional circumstances (such as Ukrainian nationals)