IMEO Science Lead – Agriculture

The Science Lead - Agriculture will develop and periodically update IMEO’s agricultural methane science strategy, identify priority scientific knowledge gaps and emerging research opportunities, provide scientific leadership across IMEO’s agricultural methane portfolio and represent IMEO in international scientific initiatives and expert groups. In addition, the Science Lead – Agriculture will lead the scientific design and provide scientific oversight for the implementation of IMEO Science Studies for agriculture sector, review project deliverables, datasets, technical reports and publications, coordinate cross-country synthesis of findings and evaluate externally submitted science proposals. The Science Lead – Agriculture will also contribute to reporting and donor engagement and will support partnerships and capacity developments with governments and international organizations.

Remote

12 months

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 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, waste and agriculture. As IMEO expands its activities into the agricultural sector, there is a growing need for scientific leadership to strengthen the global evidence base on agricultural methane emissions. Agricultural methane accounts for the largest share of anthropogenic methane emissions globally, yet significant uncertainties remain due to limited empirical observations, fragmented datasets, and inconsistent methodologies. IMEO aims to establish a globally trusted scientific infrastructure for agricultural methane by coordinating measurement science, developing global reference datasets, integrating multiple sources of evidence, and supporting countries in improving methane quantification. The Science Lead – Agriculture will provide strategic scientific leadership for this programme and coordinate IMEO's agricultural science portfolio. The Science Lead – Agriculture will provide strategic scientific and programme leadership for IMEO’s agricultural methane portfolio. The position is responsible for developing IMEO’s agricultural science strategy, leading the design and implementation of science projects, ensuring scientific excellence, coordinating international scientific partnerships, overseeing project delivery, and reporting scientific progress to donors. The Science Lead – Agriculture will serve as IMEO’s principal scientific focal point for agricultural methane and contributes to positioning IMEO as a global leader in measurement-based agricultural methane science. The consultant will report to Science Studies Programme Management Officer.

Required: Doctorate or equivalent in science, atmospheric sciences, agricultural sciences, environmental sciences, ecology or related disciplines. Professional experience in methane science, environmental science, Earth system science, atmospheric science or a related field. Experience in developing, managing and implementing international scientific projects in developing countries, particularly in Africa, Latin America and Asia, involving collaboration with governments, research institutions and international partners. Knowledge in one or more of the following: methane measurement techniques (e.g. chamber methods, micrometeorological methods, atmospheric measurements), agricultural methane emissions, greenhouse gas inventories, data integration and uncertainty analysis, process-based modelling, scientific data management and quality assurance.

English and French are working language of the United Nations. English is the working language of UNEP's IMEO and fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of additional languages is an asset.

Not available.