Agrometeorological Station Monitoring and Technical Support Consultant

INTRODUCTION TO GGGI

The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) is a treaty-based international, inter-governmental organization dedicated to supporting and promoting strong, inclusive and sustainable economic growth in developing countries and emerging economies. To learn more please visit about GGGI web page. 

El Salvador's agricultural sector is at a critical juncture due to the mounting impacts of climate change. Rising temperatures, erratic rainfall patterns, and increasingly frequent floods and droughts threaten the food security and livelihoods of countless vulnerable farmers. Traditional rainfed agricultural practices are struggling to adapt to this volatile environment, leaving farmers exposed and unable to optimize their yields. 

These challenges are exacerbated by limited access to real-time climate and market information. Existing information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure and farmer awareness are insufficient, hindering informed decision-making. Farmers lack crucial data to select the most suitable crops, determine optimal planting cycles, and identify peak harvest windows to maximize yields and market value. 

These challenges are exacerbated by limited access to real-time climate and market information. Existing information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure and farmer awareness are insufficient, hindering informed decision-making. Farmers lack crucial data to select the most suitable crops, determine optimal planting cycles, and identify peak harvest windows to maximize yields and market value. 

The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), in collaboration with El Salvador's Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG) and Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MARN), is implementing the project "Strengthening Capacities of Women and Youth for the Implementation of Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) in El Salvador." This initiative aims to equip vulnerable farmers, particularly women and youth, with the tools and knowledge they need to thrive in a changing climate. GGGI will support the government in:

• Expanding access to ICT tools: The project will make Information and Communication Technology (ICT) tools, such as early warning systems (EWS), accessible to a wider range of underserved farmers nationwide. These systems will provide real-time climate and market information, allowing farmers to adjust their practices (e.g., fertilization, planting times) to better manage risks and capitalize on market opportunities.

• Nationwide early warning system: Building upon the success of MAG's Rural Adelante Program EWS application in the Eastern Region, the project will establish a comprehensive, nationwide early warning system for the agricultural sector. This system will leverage commonly used platforms like mobile applications, telephone messaging, and internet access to deliver timely alerts on potential threats like pests, diseases, extreme weather events, and market fluctuations.

• Enhanced monitoring infrastructure: To support the EWS, the project will upgrade existing meteorological stations and install new agrometeorological stations equipped with specialized sensors to collect crucial agricultural data at the national level. It is primarily at this point that the consultant for whom these TDRs are presented will carry out the work, supporting the Engineering and Maintenance Unit of the General Directorate of the Observatory of Threats and Natural Phenomena (DOA) of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MARN), in the different activities related to the renovation, installation, monitoring, maintenance and others, for the proper functioning of the national network of agrometeorological stations, during the project execution process.

 

The Global Green Growth Institute is seeking a qualified consultant with expertise in the following areas:

• Supervision of meteorological station restoration and installation: The consultant will oversee the refurbishment and installation of agrometeorological stations throughout El Salvador. This includes ensuring proper placement, assembly, and configuration of equipment to meet project requirements.

• Monitoring, maintenance, and verification of electrical and electronic equipment: The consultant will conduct regular inspections and maintenance of the electrical and electronic systems within the agrometeorological stations. This includes troubleshooting and repairing any malfunctions to ensure optimal performance.

• Preventive maintenance: The consultant will implement preventive maintenance procedures to minimize downtime and extend the lifespan of the equipment. This may involve cleaning, lubricating, and replacing components as needed.

• Data collection platform configuration monitoring and corrections: The consultant will oversee the configuration and operation of the data collection platforms that gather and transmit data from the agrometeorological stations. This includes ensuring accurate data transmission and making necessary adjustments to optimize data collection.

 

The consultant will provide comprehensive technical support to the Engineering and Maintenance Unit (UIM) of the General Directorate of the Observatory of Threats and Natural Phenomena (DOA) of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MARN) in El Salvador. This includes:

• Collaboration with MARN: Maintain a close working relationship with the Meteorology Department of the General Directorate of Threats and Natural Phenomena (DOA) within the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MARN).

• Monitoring and Follow-up of Agrometeorological Station Renovation: Conduct continuous monitoring and follow-up of the renovation and installation of agrometeorological stations to be strengthened under the GGGI-executed project. This includes incorporating all monitoring and follow-up information into monthly reports, including photographs of the progress made before, during, and after the intervention of each station by the project.

• Technical Support to UIM: Provide hands-on technical assistance to the UIM in both office and field work, participating in scheduled activities for the inspection, repair, and preventive maintenance of electronic and electrical equipment, as well as photovoltaic systems at agrometeorological stations.

• Data Collection Platform Monitoring: Regularly monitor and rectify the configuration and operation of data collection platforms responsible for transmitting information to central hubs, ensuring the smooth functioning of the systems.

• Automatic Station Monitoring: Verify the proper operation of automatic weather monitoring stations remotely from the office (via telemetry).

• LAN/WAN Network Support: Provide support as needed for the maintenance and monitoring of LAN/WAN networks to guarantee stable radio links between remote stations and MARN offices.

• Support for Other Related Activities: Assist in other activities requested by the UIM/DOA/MARN Coordinator to ensure the proper functioning of the GGGI-supported meteorological network.

• Work Plan: Within 15 days of contract signing, the consultant shall submit a detailed work plan outlining the project activities and a corresponding execution schedule.

• Monthly Reporting: The consultant shall submit a monthly report by the 27th of each month, detailing the execution of activities during the previous month. The report should include supporting documentation such as meeting minutes, attendance sheets, and photographs.

• Periodical Reports: In addition to the monthly reports, the consultant shall submit consolidated periodical reports on the dates specified in the "DELIVERABLES AND PAYMENT SCHEDULE" section. These reports will summarize the activities carried out during the preceding three months and serve as the basis for corresponding payments from the Meteorology Manager-MARN and GGGI.

 

The payment method will be established as follows:  

No.	Product	Date of delivery	%
1	First payment: Work plan -Work plan on the execution of the activities to be carried out during the implementation of the consultancy. -Includes schedule of activities	15 calendar days after signing the contract	10
2	Second payment: Report for the period from the date of signing the contract to September 2024 Report reporting the following activities: - Meetings with the Meteorology Management and the UIM. - Monitoring and follow-up report on the renovation and installation of agrometeorological stations. - Inspection, repair and preventive maintenance reports of equipment located in the meteorological stations, as well as the data collection platforms and other technical support mentioned in the SCOPE OF WORK section. The report must contain supporting documentation that supports the execution of the activities that are reported, such as: photographic evidence, meeting minutes, attendance lists, station monitoring reports, among others.	September 30, 2024	15
3	Third payment: Report for the period from October 2024 to December 2024 Report reporting the following activities: - Meetings with the Meteorology Management and the UIM. - Monitoring and follow-up report on the renovation and installation of agrometeorological stations. - Inspection, repair and preventive maintenance reports of equipment located in the meteorological stations, as well as the data collection platforms and other technical support mentioned in the SCOPE OF WORK section. The report must contain supporting documentation that supports the execution of the activities that are reported, such as: photographic evidence, meeting minutes, attendance lists, station monitoring reports, among others.	December 13, 2024	15
4	Fourth payment: Report for the period from January 2025 to March 2025 Report reporting the following activities: - Meetings with the Meteorology Management and the UIM. - Monitoring and follow-up report on the renovation and installation of agrometeorological stations. - Inspection, repair and preventive maintenance reports of equipment located in the meteorological stations, as well as the data collection platforms and other technical support mentioned in the SCOPE OF WORK section. The report must contain supporting documentation that supports the execution of the activities that are reported, such as: photographic evidence, meeting minutes, attendance lists, station monitoring reports, among others.	March 31, 2025	15
5	Fifth payment: Report for the period from April 2025 to June 2025 Report reporting the following activities: - Meetings with the Meteorology Management and the UIM. - Monitoring and follow-up report on the renovation and installation of agrometeorological stations. - Inspection, repair and preventive maintenance reports of equipment located in the meteorological stations, as well as the data collection platforms and other technical support mentioned in the SCOPE OF WORK section. The report must contain supporting documentation that supports the execution of the activities that are reported, such as: photographic evidence, meeting minutes, attendance lists, station monitoring reports, among others.	June 30, 2025	15
6	Sixth payment: Report for the period from July 2025 to September 2025 Report reporting the following activities: - Meetings with the Meteorology Management and the UIM. - Monitoring and follow-up report on the renovation and installation of agrometeorological stations. - Inspection, repair and preventive maintenance reports of equipment located in the meteorological stations, as well as the data collection platforms and other technical support mentioned in the SCOPE OF WORK section. The report must contain supporting documentation that supports the execution of the activities that are reported, such as: photographic evidence, meeting minutes, attendance lists, station monitoring reports, among others.	September 30, 2025	15
7	Seventh payment: Report for the period from October 2025 to December 2025 Report reporting the following activities: - Meetings with the Meteorology Management and the UIM. - Monitoring and follow-up report on the renovation and installation of agrometeorological stations. - Inspection, repair and preventive maintenance reports of equipment located in the meteorological stations, as well as the data collection platforms and other technical support mentioned in the SCOPE OF WORK section. The report must contain supporting documentation that supports the execution of the activities that are reported, such as: photographic evidence, meeting minutes, attendance lists, station monitoring reports, among others.	December 15, 2025	15
TOTAL	100

 

Qualifications

• Salvadoran nationality or work permit in El Salvador.

• Technical degree in Electronics, Electrical Engineering, or Telecommunications.

• Fluency in Spanish.

• Basic English proficiency.

 

Professional Experience

• Minimum of 4 years of relevant work experience in electronics or electrical fields.

• At least 2 years of experience in the installation and commissioning of electronic equipment in agrometeorological stations.

• Knowledge of the national meteorological network.

• At least 2 years of experience in the installation of UHF/VHF telemetry networks via radio at 900 MHz and 5 GHz frequencies.

 

Skills

• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

• Experience with software for radio communication networks at 900 MHz and 5 GHz frequencies.

• Basic knowledge of the internet and LAN/WAN networks.

• Knowledge of Telemetry and Radiocommunication.

• Strong analytical and report writing skills.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Strong interpersonal and teamwork skills.

• Ability to work with multidisciplinary teams.

• Ability to work independently and take initiative.

• Ability to deliver results with accountability.

• Responsible in the use of resources, supervising, evaluating, and effectively monitoring assigned tasks.

• Time management and organization skills.

• Light vehicle driver's license.

 

To apply for this consultancy position, please submit the following documents:

• Cover letter: A well-written cover letter that clearly demonstrates how your qualifications and experience align with the job requirements. Highlight your most relevant skills and experiences and explain how yo-can contribute to the success of the project.

• Curriculum vitae (CV): An updated CV that provides a detailed overview of your educational background, work experience, and professional achievements. Ensure your CV is clear, concise, and easy to read.

 

SELECTION PROCESS

• Only candidates who meet the minimum qualifications will be considered for the position. Pre-selected candidates will be contacted for further evaluation. Please note that GGGI does not reimburse any expenses associated with interviews unless they are pre-authorized.

Date to close is 18:00, 25 July 2024, Korean Standard Time (KST). Applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered Application. Cover Letter, and CV must be sent in English. A consortium, or a firm may not be engaged for the individual consultant assignment.

 

Child protection – GGGI is committed to child protection, irrespective of whether any specific area of work involves direct contact with children. GGGI’s Child Protection Policy is written in accordance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child.