Our dedicated experts are our most important resource in the work to provide climate services expertise to partners across Africa. Together, they contribute to strengthening people’s access to climate information and supporting communities in adapting to the changing climate.
Meet NORCAP's climate experts
Daniel Mwakanema, Malawi
Daniel is a climate technology expert, on assignment with Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services (DCCMS) in Malawi in collaboration with the Norwegian Meteorological Institute.
"Our collective efforts are shaping a climate-aware and resilient future for Malawi", Daniel says. Malawi, a developing country with an economy heavily reliant on agriculture, faces annual extreme weather events that damage infrastructure and livelihoods.
Over the past year, Daniel has been dedicated to enhancing climate service delivery through technology in Malawi. The goal is to build digital products that not only improve climate services but also enhance technical expertise within DCCMS. This will lead to greater resilience against extreme weather impacts.
Daniel shares some of his exciting work:
- Revamping the department's online presence: "Partnering with the World Meteorological Organization, we have improved how Malawians access daily forecasts, weather warnings, seasonal forecasts and climate data.
- Local mobile weather app: "This app brings weather information and extreme weather warnings closer to the people, empowering communities with accurate and accessible location-based weather information", Daniel says.
- Local weather forecasts API: "We are building a data platform that allows everyone to access weather forecasts produced by the department. By doing so, we are not only creating room for more innovation at the department, but also democratising access to weather forecasts."
- Improving collection of weather observations: "We're digitising the collection process, ensuring that our forecasts are based on the latest, most reliable information from weather stations across the country."
- Technical capacity building: "Investing in training and development, we aim to empower the department with the skills and knowledge they need to manage and use advanced climate technologies."
Daniel Mwakanema, Malawi
Daniel is a climate technology expert, on assignment with Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services (DCCMS) in Malawi in collaboration with the Norwegian Meteorological Institute.
"Our collective efforts are shaping a climate-aware and resilient future for Malawi", Daniel says. Malawi, a developing country with an economy heavily reliant on agriculture, faces annual extreme weather events that damage infrastructure and livelihoods.
Over the past year, Daniel has been dedicated to enhancing climate service delivery through technology in Malawi. The goal is to build digital products that not only improve climate services but also enhance technical expertise within DCCMS. This will lead to greater resilience against extreme weather impacts.
Daniel shares some of his exciting work:
- Revamping the department's online presence: "Partnering with the World Meteorological Organization, we have improved how Malawians access daily forecasts, weather warnings, seasonal forecasts and climate data.
- Local mobile weather app: "This app brings weather information and extreme weather warnings closer to the people, empowering communities with accurate and accessible location-based weather information", Daniel says.
- Local weather forecasts API: "We are building a data platform that allows everyone to access weather forecasts produced by the department. By doing so, we are not only creating room for more innovation at the department, but also democratising access to weather forecasts."
- Improving collection of weather observations: "We're digitising the collection process, ensuring that our forecasts are based on the latest, most reliable information from weather stations across the country."
- Technical capacity building: "Investing in training and development, we aim to empower the department with the skills and knowledge they need to manage and use advanced climate technologies."
Marta Baraibar, Kenya
“The latest state of climate report is a red alert to the world. We cannot wait any longer to take unprecedented climate action. We must raise climate ambition, both mitigation and adaptation pledges, and we need to strengthen real time monitoring systems to ensure we are on a good track. This is something we keep in mind every day in our work”, says Marta Baraibar, Innovation and Climate Services Expert at World Meteorological Organization.
Marta joined NORCAP in 2018. After completing her assignment with ICPAC , where she contributed to the launch of East Africa Hazards Watch, she continues her dedication, now with WMO. Marta is heavily involved in early warning for all and digital transformation for countries in Africa.
Speaking about some of her greatest accomplishments, Marta says “On the one hand it is developing climate tech solutions that improve climate services in Africa. On the other hand, it is the strengthening of skills of technical staff from National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) all over Africa.”
For the past couple of years, Marta and the team at WMO have worked with all 54 met offices all over Africa in their digital transformation, from data collection to climate service delivery.
A large part of their work consists of training and mentoring.
“Besides organising continental trainings, we have so far provided 550 hours of mentoring support to technical staff from 21 met offices. Our trainings focus on how to customise their systems and how to improve their processes to provide better climate information services, more tailored to user needs focusing on potential risks and to adopt agile approaches”, she says.
Marta is excited to share with us that ten countries in Africa are about to launch new websites with improved Watch Systems and have been trained over 6 months on new tools to strengthen their early warning systems.
“Our goal is to ensure that everyone in Africa is reached with climate information and early warnings by 2027,” Marta says.
Lucas Destrijcker, South Sudan
Lucas works as a data analysis expert for climate and security and is currently on assignment in South Sudan with United Nations Mission In South Sudan (UNMISS). He is responsible for ensuring that the links between climate hazards and peace and security in South Sudan are better understood and addressed.
"To develop effective responses, it is critical to analyse how climatic and environmental impacts affect the humanitarian situation and conflict dynamics in South Sudan", he says.
Lucas sits with the civil affairs division in UNMISS where they work on inter-communal conflicts and bottom-up approaches to peacebuilding.
"In South Sudan, climate impacts are exacerbating conflict at the local level. This is especially visible in cattle-related conflicts where different pastoral groups, but als hearders and farmers compete, sometimes violently, over cattle, land and water", he says.
One achievement in Lucas' work is integrating climate security during community dialogue forums organised by UNMISS.
"These initiatives have helped communities to better manage conflicts linked to cattle migration, as well as to identify and address climate-related risks", Lucas explains.
Lucas acknowledges the responsibility that comes with UN peacekeeping missions and says "UN peace operations are faced with countless challenges, but there are still many opportunities to make them more impactful and mainstreaming climate, peace and security is definitely one of them."
Faith Chivava, Sudan
Climate Services Development Expert Faith Chivava, started her assignment with Sudan Meteorological Authority (SMA) in 2021. The goal of her assignment was to strengthen SMA´s capacity to respond to weather and climate information needs for various sectors, and support the implementation of the #EarlyWarningsForAll initiative.
Sudan is at a terrible intersection of war and climate change. More than 8.1 million people have been displaced since the war broke out in Sudan almost a year ago – turning Sudan into the world’s largest displacement crisis. Every year, a large part of the population is affected by the rainy season and flash flooding – which means many have to flee, often multiple times.
Faith has been at the forefront of ensuring co-production of climate services, supporting Sudan Meteorological Authority in guiding important discussions and fostering collaboration between various stakeholders.
“Being at the frontline of climate action resonates with the reality of facing even greater challenges, for example the unique circumstances we currently find ourselves in since the war broke out. Having to navigate through a fragile and conflict-driven setting to deliver climate services in Sudan, unprecedented resilience and determination are very much needed,” Faith says.
Since August 2023, Faith has been based at the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD)where she has continued to support Sudan Meteorological Authority to rescue and sustain climate services. SMA has successfully resumed its operations, rescued data and continue to provide weather information to the sectors and communities.
As an ending note, Faith says “Though the path ahead may be chaotic and uncertain, I am confident that with the same spirit of determination, we will continue to overcome obstacles and provide timely climate and weather information to Sudanese communities.”
Mikaïla Issa, Niger
In 2021, Mika embarked on his first assignment with NORCAP in a split role between Niger Meteorological Service (Niger MET) and UN´s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), as a Climate Communication Expert.
With a background in strategic communication, emergency reporting, and policy outreach, Mika has been a valuable resource for Niger MET and FAO.
“I played a pivotal role in formulating impactful climate change communication strategies, shaping a powerful narrative on climate change, ensuring its dissemination, and creating compelling materials to fuel our climate actions,” he says.
When asked about the objective of his role, Mika says “this calling, more than a mere role drives me to contribute actively to a resilient society, prepared to adapt and thrive amidst inevitable climate changes. I found my calling with the NORCAP mission. It enables me to inspire and cast a spotlight on those touched by crisis specially the most vulnerable to climate change adverse in Africa”.
During his assignment, Mika has initiated and implemented communication strategies that have led to significant change in how information on climate and the impacts of climate change is transmitted. As one of his great achievements, he mentions an awareness campaign he has led.
“I am immensely proud of the successful publication and distribution of climate thematic bulletins, each thoughtfully curated and tailor-made to our audience's needs,” he says.
The work he refers to has involved the distribution of hard copies to national authorities and partners, as well spearheading the production of climate change tv shows, video magasines aired on local tv and radio networks.
“This innovative approach has amplified our reach, allowing us to touch more lives and ignite discussions around climate change”, he adds.
“Another significant stride was my exploration into rural communities' heartland, focusing on women's access to climate services. The most gratifying part was witnessing climate services making an impact and bridging potential gaps through effective communication”.
There is no doubt that Mika is passionate about his work as he ends the conversation saying, “The sight of a more resilient and informed rural community stands as a testament to our efforts, fuelling my resolve to continue making impactful changes”.
