Operations
SOFF enables the provision of a global public good: essential weather and climate data.
SOFF support to countries is provided in three phases
It is implemented through a close collaboration between countries, Implementing Entities and peer advisors.
During the Readiness phase, Small Island Developing States (SIDS), Least Developed Countries (LDCs), and other Overseas Development Aid (ODA)-eligible countries can access technical assistance provided by SOFF peer advisors to undertake a Global Basic Observing Network (GBON) National Gap Analysis, develop a GBON National Contribution Plan and conduct Country Hydromet Diagnostics.
During the Investment phase, SIDS and LDCs can receive grants and advisory support to establish their GBON stations and strengthen the human and institutional capacity needed to implement the GBON National Contribution Plan.
During the Compliance phase, the National Meteorological and Hydrological Services in SIDS and LDCs receive results-based finance and on-demand peer advisory to support the operation and maintenance of internationally sharing data stations.
CLEAR PROGRAMMING
CRITERIA FOR EFFECTIVE
DELIVERY
By helping to improve the observation, collection and exchange of weather and climate data, SOFF aims to:
CLOSE THE MOST SIGNIFICANT DATA GAPS
Emphasis on those geographic areas that currently have the poorest observational coverage, where strengthening the observing network would yield the largest results regarding the quality of the numerical weather prediction products
TARGET “EASY FIXES”
Countries where through relatively small interventions, stations and related infrastructure could be fixed to start quickly delivering the data into the global system per Global Basic Observing Network (GBON) regulations
MAXIMIZE DELIVERY CAPACITY
Countries where Implementing Entities and peer advisors can operate and deliver SOFF support efficiently and effectively
CREATE LEVERAGE
Opportunities for complementarity of SOFF with larger operations under implementation or preparation by the Implementing Entities and other funds, including by the Advisory Board Members
SUB-REGIONAL GAINS
Opportunities to create economies of scale and optimize the design of the observing networks through multi-country and sub-regional implementation
ENSURE COUNTRY BALANCE
Balanced support among especially Small Island Developing States and Least Developed Countries and across regions, including Fragile and Conflict-affected States.
SOFF OPERATIONAL PARTNERS
Together, these partners are working on SOFF implementation in a coordinated manner.
Countries
peer advisors
implementing entities
WMO Technical
Authority
private sector
Access to SOFF support
SOFF provides support to countries in three phases, the Readiness Phase, Investment Phase and Compliance Phase. These are implemented through a close collaboration between beneficiary countries, Implementing Entities and peer advisors.
- Readiness
- Investment
- Compliance
Global Basic Observing Network (GBON) gap analysed and reviewed
GBON national contribution developed and verified
Country Hydromet Diagnostics conducted
Small Island Developing States (SIDS), Least Developed Countries (LDCs), and other Overseas Development Aid (ODA)-eligible countries can access technical assistance provided by SOFF peer advisors to undertake a Global Basic Observing Network (GBON) National Gap Analysis, develop a GBON National Contribution Plan and conduct the Country Hydromet Diagnostic.
Download SOFF Operational Manual
SOFF Readiness Phase – Steps
ViewGBON infrastructure in place.
GBON human institutional capacity development.
Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Least Developed Countries (LDCs) can receive grants and advisory support to establish their Global Basic Observing Network (GBON) stations and strengthen the human and institutional capacity needed to implement the GBON National Contribution Plan and achieve GBON Compliance.
Download SOFF Operational Manual
SOFF Investment Phase – Steps
ViewGBON data internationally shared and results-based finance provided.
Annual GBON compliance and impact report published
On-demand GBON operational and maintenance advisory provided
Weather and climate analysis products freely available through WMO Global Producing Centres
National Meteorological and Hydrological Services in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Least Developed Countries (LDCs) receive results-based finance and on-demand peer advisory to support the operation and maintenance of internationally sharing data stations.
Download SOFF Operational Manual
SOFF Compliance Phase – Steps
ViewCRITICAL GAPS IN CLIMATE AND WEATHER DATA MUST BE ADDRESSED
The current gaps in global surface-based data significantly impact the quality of weather and climate services locally, regionally, and globally.
Data Gap
Even though all weather prediction starts with global models, the information needed for weather and climate services is often highly local. Weather and climate prediction requires observations of the state of the atmosphere, ocean, and land; these are obtained from a wide range of instrumentation deployed on land, in and above the ocean, in the air and space. Ongoing monitoring by WMO of the observational data exchange reveals that the current data coverage falls far short of the minimum requirements, especially in Small Island Developing States and Least Developed Countries.
SOFF Approach
In 2021, 193 Members of the World Meteorological Organization agreed to a set of global standards, the landmark agreement Global Basic Observing Network (GBON). GBON sets out an obligation and clear requirements to acquire and internationally exchange the most essential surface-based observational data at a minimum resolution and time frame level.
GBON offers a new approach in which the surface-based network is designed, defined, and monitored at the global level.
SOFF was created to support the implementation of the GBON commitments and close those data gaps.
SOFF OPERATIONAL DOCUMENTS
SOFF Terms of Reference
SOFF Operational Manual
SOFF Operational Guidance Handbook
Complaints
Any person negatively affected or impacted by any investment funded by SOFF may file a complaint. Each SOFF Implementing Entity is responsible for addressing the complaint according to its complaint management mechanism. Information on these mechanisms and how to submit a complaint relating to SOFF investments can be found on the respective SOFF Implementing Entity’s website.
In the case of complaints outside the Implementing Entity scope of involvement in SOFF, the SOFF Secretariat informs the Steering Committee and proposes a course of action for the Steering Committee’s decision.
Contact us More Information in the Operational Manual
