Senior Scientist – Data integration

Result of Service

IMEO's data integration strategy is designed and implemented

Work Location

Home based

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. A senior scientist is needed for IMEO’s work on data integration. The Senior Scientist will oversee the integration of a diversity of data streams on anthropogenic methane emissions to provide policy-relevant insights that support IMEO’s mission of catalyzing emissions reductions. The data come from a variety of sources including field measurements, satellite remote sensing, emission inventories, and company reporting. In strict coordination with the IMEO Scientific Oversight Committee (SOC) and its Chair, the Senior Scientist will (i) develop a strategy for gathering, prioritizing, and integrating global methane emissions data from various sources, quality levels, and granularity into policy relevant data products, (ii) plan and oversee the implementation of this strategy, (and (iii) help IMEO meet its mission of serving as the global hub for policy-relevant data on anthropogenic methane emissions. The Senior Scientist will: • Devise the strategy for the integration of methane emission data from field measurements, satellite remote sensing, emission inventories, and company reporting to be approved by the IMEO SOC. • Plan and oversee the implementation of the strategy once approved by IMEO SOC • Coordinate with IMEO’s management and other relevant teams to determine and develop the internal and public data integration outputs over time in alignment with IMEO’s data vision. • Participate in the analysis and writing of scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals and any other tasks as needed Final deliverables include: 1. Data integration planning and initial implementation- due end of the contract 2. Ongoing implementation and widening of integration scope-due end of the contract 3. Other relevant tasks as needed- due end of the contract

Qualifications/special skills

A PhD preferably in Engineering Systems, Earth Systems Science, Information Science, or related disciplines is required. A Master’s degree preferably in Engineering Systems, Earth Systems Science, Information Science, or related disciplines with an additional 2 years of experience is accepted instead of a PhD degree. Minimum of 10 years of experience synthesizing and integrating highly diverse data sets is required. Experience with greenhouse gas emission data is required. Experience with methane emission data is strongly preferred. Post-doctoral experience is strongly preferred.

Languages

Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN language is an advantage

Additional Information

Key Competencies • Strong quantitative analysis skills; proficiency in statistical analysis and understanding of atmospheric and/or emission data. • Knowledge about environmental issues, especially air emissions; familiarity with emission inventories is a plus. • Demonstrated scientific expertise, including but not limited to a record of scholarly publications and/or involvement in scientific panels. • Excellent written and oral communication skills. • Initiates and maintains extensive contacts within the scientific community. • Ability to synthesize, interpret, and communicate scientific data in an advocacy setting and for non-scientific populations. • Exceptional personal organization and attention to detail; ability to work independently and as part of a diverse, geographically dispersed team. • Experience in performing rigorous analysis with short deadlines in support of highly visible work. • The ability to communicate complex ideas in writing and orally to multiple stakeholders with different levels of expertise, including the public and industry.

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.