Result of Service

The consultant will contribute to IMEO’s data integration activities by aggregating data from multiple sources to create high quality actionable methane related data products that will be the foundation of IMEO’s data platform.

Work Location

Remote

Expected duration

12 months

Duties and Responsibilities

The UN Environment Programme’s International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO) is a data-focused, action-oriented initiative that drives deep reductions in methane emissions – the second biggest contributor to global climate change and a key opportunity to reduce warming in the near-term. IMEO’s mission is to provide the open, reliable, and actionable methane data needed to cut emissions at the speed and scale necessary to achieve the Paris Agreement goals. To do this, IMEO is harnessing a methane data revolution under way thanks to rapidly advancing technology and momentum for methane action. IMEO collects, integrates, and reconciles data from methane-detecting satellites, scientific measurement studies, rigorous industry reporting through the Oil and Gas Methane Partnership 2.0 (OGMP 2.0), and national emissions inventories. These initiatives are game-changers for climate action – and as a core implementing partner of the Global Methane Pledge, IMEO is shaping the future of methane mitigation. IMEO seeks a scientist that will work on the integration of empirical methane emissions data from diverse spatial and temporal scales to produce high quality actionable data products that will be the core of IMEO’s data platform, centered to individuals with the power to reduce emissions. The work will include creating structures and processes to integrate existing and future emissions data from multiple sources (e.g., remote sensing, source and site-level measurement campaigns, inventories), performing intercomparison and validation projects to assess the quality of the data. The work will not only be focused on the oil and gas sector but also on the other methane emitting sectors. The IMEO data integration scientist will support all work related to IMEO’s Science practice, that will be integrated 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. The work will involve collaboration with the relevant stakeholders, including national authorities, regional organizations, civil society, and experts. The Consultant will strengthen IMEO’s data integration activities by aggregating data from multiple sources to create high quality actionable methane related data products that will be the foundation of IMEO’s data platform. The data come from a variety of sources including field measurements, satellite remote sensing, emission inventories, and company reporting. Further areas of scientific advisory include the Methane Science Studies as well as OGMP2.0.

Qualifications/special skills

Recent of pending PhD in Engineering Systems, Earth Systems Science, Information Science, or related disciplines. Minimum of 3 years of experience synthesizing and integrating highly diverse data sets Experience with methane emission data is required Familiarity with emissions inventories is preferred

Languages

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

Additional Information

Key responsibilities: Data integration and data platform: • Define data structures and processes to ingest diverse emission data streams (e.g., remote sensing data, science studies, industry self-reported data, inventories). • Advance data integration method development by establishing a data taxonomy. • Develop data integration case studies. • Monitor the progress of ongoing methane science studies to identify opportunities and avenues to for data integration. • Perform intercomparison and validation projects to assess the quality of available emissions data. Other engagement: • Provide support to IMEO’s other methane project efforts when needed. • Ensure scientific rigor of IMEO generated materials, initiatives, and collaborations with diverse stakeholders, including industry, academics, and the public sector. • Participate and represent IMEO at external meetings, interacting with the scientific community in general. • Present scientific and policy-relevant results from this work to internal committees and at major conferences.

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.