National Inventory and Remote Sensing Scientist

Contract

This is a IICA-3 contract. This kind of contract is known as International Individual Contractor Agreements. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's an external contract. It usually requires 7 years of experience, depending on education. More about IICA-3 contracts.

Background information- ECR

Based in Geneva, the Europe and Central Asia Regional Office (ECR) supports UNOPS offices throughout the region through: management, financial and programmatic oversight of global and country-specific portfolios, clusters and operations centres, including hosting services; fund and management advisory services; project implementation; procuring goods and services; and managing human resources.

ECR ensures that projects are executed to the highest standards, providing a shared knowledge base and ensuring that best practices and lessons learned are disseminated between business units and projects across the entire region.

Background Information - Job-specific

UN Environment Programme (Energy and Climate Branch) implements the International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO), 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.

A National Inventory and Remote Sensing Scientist is needed to provide support to the policy-relevant research under IMEO, with a focus on characterizing methane emissions from global oil and gas infrastructure using remote sensing data from existing and future satellite missions.

Functional Responsibilities

The Consultant will (i) coordinate remote sensing related projects for methane emission quantification, (ii) help IMEO stay at the cutting-edge of remote sensing tools and applications, (iii) synergize data from remote sensing and other methane measurement platforms.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead research and analysis of reconciling country-level and gridded methane emissions inventory data with atmospheric measurements including those from satellite remote sensing.

• Lead research and analysis of satellite remote sensing data to quantify methane emissions from anthropogenic sources with a focus on oil/gas infrastructure.

• Coordinate and collaborate with scientists and policy experts within IMEO and from academia, industry and research organizations internationally involving remote sensing applications for methane emissions characterization.
• Coordinate and collaborate with national greenhouse gas inventory compilers and academic emission inventory experts.
• Support integration of remote sensing with other methane emission data sources, including measurement studies, rigorous industry reporting and national inventories.
• Lead and participate in the analysis and writing of papers in peer-reviewed journals.
• Support remote sensing capacity building initiatives for diverse stakeholders.
• Support development of monitoring, reporting and verification frameworks for oil and gas methane emissions.
• Remain at the cutting-edge of climate science and up-to-date with scientific literature; build and maintain relevant scientific networks.
• Interact with scientists and the scientific community at large.
• Independently support other "rapid response" and/or project development efforts on an as-needed basis.

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.

Competencies

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.(for levels IICA-2, IICA-3, LICA Specialist- 10, LICA Specialist-11, NOC, NOD, P3, P4 and above) Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles. Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role). Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries. Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements. Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving. Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education

• A PhD in Atmospheric Science, Earth Systems Science, Remote Sensing or related disciplines (e.g., atmospheric chemistry) is required.

• Post-doctoral experience is strongly preferred.

  Work Experience

• A minimum of 7 years of experience with greenhouse gas remote sensing techniques and data analysis is required.

• Methane remote sensing for oil/gas related emission characterization is desired.

• Proficiency in statistical analysis and understanding of atmospheric modeling and/or inverse modeling a plus.

• Demonstrated scientific expertise, including but not limited to a record of scholarly publications and/or involvement in scientific panels a distinct advantage.

Languages

• For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Additional languages are an asset.

Functional competencies

• Strong quantitative analysis skills.
• Knowledge about environmental issues associated with the oil and gas industry, especially air emissions.
• Knowledge about methodologies and processes for developing emission inventories.
• 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.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: Individual Contractor Agreement (ICA) Contract level: International ICA level 3 / ICS-11 Contract duration: Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link: https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx

Additional Considerations

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (around 4 hours) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

Background Information - UNOPS

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.