Result of Service

The consultant will deliver a state-of-the-art multi-year validation and verification programme for methane emissions quantification, supported by technical guidance, stakeholder collaboration, and scientific studies to address IMEO’s MRV needs and advance global methane measurement efforts.

Work Location

Remote

Expected duration

12 months

Duties and Responsibilities

The UN Environment Programme’s International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO) is a data-driven, action-focused 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. The main goal of IMEO’s science studies has been reducing the uncertainty in magnitude and location of methane emissions. While initially focusing on emissions from the oil and gas sector, ongoing projects are quickly expanding efforts across other sectors such as coal and waste. IMEO will be pursuing scientific studies to assist in the development of a validation programme for methane quantification at all scales, from ground-based measurements to satellites. IMEO is now actively looking to hire a scientist with an understanding of measurement validation. The applicant will be expected to support (and eventually lead) the design of a multi-year programme to evaluate and validate the performance of methane measurement localization and quantification technologies. This work will be supplemented with other duties as time allows which may include (but not limited to) acting as Point of Contact for other methane science studies, contributing scientific writing to reports, reviewing scientific proposals for funding and assisting in developing the methane science direction at IMEO.

Qualifications/special skills

PhD in applicable field to atmospheric science (ideally with a component of measurement validation) 3 years of post-doctoral experience or at least 6 years of applicable experience in atmospheric methane or a related scientific field to atmospheric measurement validation Understanding of different methane measurement platforms (ground, aerial, and satellite based) and instrumentation. Experience with collecting and/or analyzing empirical data to better understand GHG emissions and/or air pollution is desired. Experience and understanding of regulatory frameworks around methane or air quality is ideal, but not required. Experience with large scientific projects, especially those with remote deployment requirements is preferable.

Languages

Fluency in English is required for this position

Additional Information

Core Tasks: • The consultant will support the development of a multi-year programme of validation and verification for quantification of methane emissions. • The consultant will develop technical guidance documentation that outlines the strengths and weaknesses of quantification approaches that can be applied to specific emission sources from anthropogenic sectors considered by IMEO. Methane Science Studies: • Work with the IMEO science team and partners to identify requirements for the measurement, reporting and validation (MRV) needs of external stakeholders (such as companies and government policy advisors), internal IMEO colleagues (such as Oil and Gas Methane Partnership and Methane Alert and Response System) and the scientific community in general. • Engage stakeholders to present opportunity and agree to collaborate with IMEO on development of an MRV programme for IMEO. • Support the collection of data and facilitate scientific studies that enable achievement of core tasks. • Ensure that the developed programme of work is state of the art and provides value to the methane measurement community. Other engagement: • Present work at international conferences, internal meetings and to other stakeholders. 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 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.