The Solution Architect – Impact- Based Forecasting leads the design and integration of technical solutions across digital, climate, and data service domains to build user-responsive, technical solutions, digital services, decision support tools, and web portals.

The role involves drawing from and contributing 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 user interface techniques for IBF DSS. This position requires a strong understanding of meteorological, hydrological, vulnerability and exposure patterns, and translating data into actionable insights for disaster preparedness and resilience planning.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

● Masters in engineering, IT, or systems architecture.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

● Design end-to-end solution architecture for complex IBF platforms, integrating multiple data sources, models, and user interfaces.

● Apply architecture patterns (e.g., layered, microservices, event-driven, serverless) and design principles (e.g., scalability, modularity, fault tolerance) to build robust systems.

● Collaborate with stakeholders to understand functional and non-functional requirements and translate them into system specifications and technical designs.

● Oversee the integration of various IT infrastructure components (e.g., servers, cloud platforms, databases, networking, storage systems) into cohesive architectures.

● Provide technical leadership and guidance to software development teams, ensuring alignment with architecture decisions, coding standards, and best practices.

● Evaluate and recommend appropriate technologies, frameworks, and tools based on project goals and constraints.

● Establish governance models and ensure architectural consistency across all project components.

● Promote system performance optimization, maintainability, security, and high availability.

● Participate in code reviews, system audits, and testing strategy development to ensure robust system design and delivery.

● Contribute to technical documentation, knowledge sharing, and capacity building for stakeholders and partners.

● Engage in IBF-specific technical discussions, including risk indicators, thresholds, early warning dissemination, and decision support workflows.

● Excellent communication skills, especially in multidisciplinary and multicultural team settings.

Experience:

● Minimum of 2 years of experience in data engineering, analytics, or IT systems.

● Minimum of 2 years of experience in system design and enterprise architecture.

● Experience in working with disaster management, meteorology, or climate services or a related applied field is an asset.

● Experience in multi-stakeholder projects and facilitating capacity-building programs.

● Prior working experience with RIMES is an also an asset.

Personal Qualities:

● Excellent interpersonal skills; team-oriented work style; pleasant personality.

● Strong desire to learn and undertake new challenges.

● Creative problem-solver; willing to work hard.

● Interest and experience in working in a multicultural environment.

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 provide digital solutions as per user requirements.

● Define system architecture across modules and platforms.

● Advise on tools, frameworks, and data standards.

● Guide implementation teams and ensure alignment with business needs.

● Assist RIMES and other IT teams as needed to generate IBF.

● 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.

● Prepare technical documentation on road maps.

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 domain knowledge 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 organisational needs.

● The above responsibilities are illustrative and not exhaustive. Undertake any other relevant tasks that may 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.

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

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: Up to ₹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 (Required)

Application Question(s):

Do you have any experience or interest in working with international or non-profit organizations? Please explain.
What are your salary expectations per month?

Education:

Master's (Preferred)

Experience:

Data Engineering: 2 years (Required)
Analytics, or IT systems: 2 years (Required)
System Design and Enterprise Architecture.: 2 years (Required)

Location:

Chepauk, Chennai, Tamil Nadu (Preferred)

Work Location: In person