The Ocean Observations Panel for Climate (OOPC) is a scientific expert advisory group to the Global Ocean (GOOS) and Global Climate (GCOS) Observing Systems and the World Climate Research Program (WCRP). OOPCis a charged with leading the delivery of ocean physics/climate observation requirements, aiding in the development of strategies for evaluation and evolution of the system, and supporting global ocean observing activities by interested parties through liaison and advocacy for the agreed observing plans. In addition to on-going planning and reporting activities, the panel coordinates observing system reviews and evaluations focussed on specific regions, phenomena or Essential Ocean Variables (EOVs).
The OOPC works in conjunction with complementary panels in GCOS (for the Land and Atmosphere) and GOOS (for Biogeochemistry and Biology), and hence the panel is an important information broker between the two programmes.

To manage priorities and connections the panel has a work plan that is periodically reviewed. Panel members, engaging with the broader community, champion key task areas.
The panel meets once per year, and work plan tasks are progressed inter-sessionally. Financial support for attending meetings can be provided. Members are initially appointed for a 3-year term, with the possibility of an extension for a further 3 years. The next meeting of OOPC is scheduled for mid-March, 2017, at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Massachusetts, USA (previous meeting details and report here).

This call seeks expression of interest from oceanographic experts interested in joining OOPC. If appointed to the panel a first task will be to attend OOPC-20,  and contribute to implementing and evolving its work plan.  

Selection will be based on:

• Expertise and interest in ocean climate observations: Internationally recognised in their field, sound experience in taking/working with ocean observations, with a broad systems perspective of the science of observations.
• Knowledge of applications of sustained observations, including the delivery of products and information.
• How the applicant complements existing expertise of the panel members.
• The need to strengthen panel diversity (expertise, institutional background, gender and geographical balance).

Further details of the panel activities can be found here.
Further details of parent programmes:

The Global Ocean Observing System: www.goosocean.org
The Global Climate Observing System: http://gcos.wmo.int
The World Climate Research Programme: www.wcrp-climate.org

If you are interested in becoming an OOPC panel member, please send your CV and a brief statement on your experience and expertise relevant to OOPC to khill@wmo.int before December 15th 2016.