Result of Service

Support IMEO’s data integration activities by researching and aggregating data from scientific literature to create a high quality database of methane related data products, which will take part in the foundation of IMEO’s data platform.

Work Location

Remote

Expected duration

6 months

Duties and Responsibilities

UN Environment Programme hosts the International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO). IMEO is a data-driven, action-focused UNEP initiative that takes an innovative approach to address the methane emissions problem by collecting, integrating, and reconciling data from different sources, including scientific measurement studies, satellites, rigorous industry reporting through the Oil and Gas Methane Partnership 2.0 (OGMP 2.0), and national inventories. IMEO will create a global public dataset of empirically verified methane emissions, with an initial focus on fossil fuel sources and will interconnect data with actions on research, reporting, and regulation. This will catalyse deep reductions in human-made methane emissions and serve the rapidly growing ecosystem of governments, companies, investors, researchers, NGOs and other entities engaging in this crucial climate challenge. IMEO seeks a Early career research data specialist that will work on the intake of various scientific studies to the IMEO data platform. The work will include reading and interpreting recently published (and potentially older) scientific literature of various methane science disciplines (e.g., remote sensing, source and site-level measurement campaigns, inventories), summarizing study parameters, techniques, and major results into a pre-formatted database. The specialist will also provide feedback on the structure of the database, suggesting changes to make interpretation more straightforward. The work will not only be focused on the oil and gas sector but also on the other methane emitting sectors. The IMEO data entry specialist will support the creation of the Methane Science Study database to improve our understanding of anthropogenic emission sources and to contribute to closing the knowledge gap on and where methane is being emitted across the planet and tracking progress over time.

Qualifications/special skills

BA or BS in atmospheric sciences, engineering, geology or a related field. Relevant work/research experience on science related to atmospheric greenhouse gases (GHG). Familiarity with scientific literature in the field of atmospheric sciences or related. Familiarity with emissions inventories, and knowledge of measurement-based methane emissions data is preferred. Experience with data compilation and/or databases preferred One or more years of relevant study or work experience

Languages

Be fluent in written and spoken English. Other languages are an asset.

Additional Information

The consultant will support IMEO in the development of the data products that will be part of the IMEO data platform by reading and interpreting relevant Methane Science Studies and inputting relevant information into the IMEO data platform. Data compilation and data platform: • Utilize defined data structures and processes to ingest diverse emission data streams (e.g., remote sensing data, science studies, industry self-reported data, inventories). • Suggest changes to existing data structures to improve interpretability Methane Science Studies: • Work with the science team to identify additional non-IMEO science studies that contain relevant information Performance indicators will be the following: • The effectiveness and management of the work • Speediness and quality of emails and communications with UNEP staff. The consultant will work in close consultation with the UN Environment Programme Paris Office. The outputs need to be accepted by the UNEP to be considered satisfactory.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.