IMEO Technical Product Owner Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda and promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system. UNEP serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment and is involved in various initiatives aimed at addressing pressing environmental issues. The organization has a significant global presence, operating in multiple countries and employing a diverse workforce dedicated to environmental sustainability and climate action.

Job Overview:
The IMEO Technical Product Owner consultant will be responsible for leading the end-to-end product lifecycle of the Eye on Methane platform. This role is crucial in ensuring that the platform aligns strategically with the objectives of the International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO). The consultant will oversee the product roadmap, translate business needs into technical requirements, and coordinate agile delivery processes. The position requires a strong focus on stakeholder engagement, data quality processes, and workflow improvements. The consultant will report to the IMEO Data Platform Lead and will play a key role in enhancing the operational efficiency of the platform while ensuring that it meets the high standards required for effective methane emissions mitigation.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Coordinate end-to-end product ownership of the Eye on Methane platform suite, ensuring strategic alignment with IMEO objectives through a prioritized, regularly updated product roadmap.
• Translate business and program needs into clear technical requirements, producing well-defined specifications, fully populated Jira tickets, and acceptance criteria to guide delivery teams.
• Manage agile delivery processes in collaboration with the IMEO digital project manager, including sprint planning, backlog grooming, and cross-team alignment between technical, data, and program stakeholders.
• Monitor delivery progress, risks, and dependencies, providing regular reporting and early identification of issues to support informed decision-making.
• Review and validate engineering and data outputs, ensuring quality, performance, scalability, and alignment with agreed product and user requirements.
• Participate in and document technical and data architecture decisions, including platform updates, pipelines, metadata, and QA/QC processes across the Eye on Methane and OGMP web reporting applications.
• Strengthen operational efficiency and consistency through improved workflows, operational templates, and clear documentation supporting sustainable platform operations.
• Act as a day-to-day coordination point for stakeholders, facilitating effective communication, knowledge transfer, and shared understanding across IMEO teams and partners, ensuring proactive communication.

Required Qualifications:

• A Master's degree or equivalent in Data Science, advanced analytics, or a related field.
• A minimum of 5 years of experience as a product owner or in data analysis/data products.
• Fluency and practical experience in scrum methodology.
• Proven experience in stakeholder coordination and working closely with data and development teams.
• Experience in emissions-related data is considered a plus.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Master's degree or an equivalent qualification in Data Science, advanced analytics, or a related field. This educational background is essential to ensure that the candidate has the necessary analytical skills and knowledge to effectively manage the technical aspects of the Eye on Methane platform.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience, specifically as a product owner or in roles focused on data analysis and data products. This level of experience is crucial for understanding the complexities of product management and the technical requirements associated with the role. Familiarity with emissions-related data is advantageous but not mandatory.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this role, as it is one of the working languages of the United Nations. Proficiency in French is also beneficial, as it is another working language within the organization. Candidates should be able to communicate effectively in both languages to engage with diverse stakeholders and teams.

Additional Notes:
The position is remote and is expected to last for a duration of 12 months. It is important to note that the United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview meetings, processing, or training. Additionally, the organization does not request information regarding applicants' bank accounts.