Methane Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda and advocates for environmental action across the UN system. Established to encourage sustainable development through sound environmental practices, UNEP works with various stakeholders to promote environmental sustainability and address pressing global environmental challenges. UNEP operates in over 150 countries and has a workforce of approximately 1,000 employees. Its mission is to inspire, inform, and enable nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations. UNEP's International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO) is a data-driven initiative aimed at accelerating reductions in methane emissions, which are a significant contributor to climate change. IMEO provides open, reliable, and actionable data to support emissions reductions aligned with the Paris Agreement and integrates data from various sources, including methane-detecting satellites and national inventories.

Job Overview:
The Methane Specialist will play a crucial role in implementing UNEP's contribution to the UN Joint Programme in Turkmenistan, focusing on technical engagement with government and national oil company (NOC) officials across the Central Asian region. The consultant will report directly to the MARS Programme Manager and will be responsible for supporting IMEO's work in Turkmenistan. This includes strategy development, government engagement on technical topics, partner coordination, and the delivery of priority initiatives. The position requires a proactive approach to managing relationships with stakeholders and ensuring effective communication regarding methane emissions and mitigation efforts. The consultant will also be tasked with synthesizing information and providing regular updates to IMEO management on the status of engagement and progress in the region.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Methane Specialist will have a comprehensive set of duties and responsibilities, including:

• Providing technical inputs, revisions, and feedback to the activities recommended under the UN Joint Programme for Methane Emissions in Turkmenistan.
• Developing and maintaining contact lists for countries within Central Asia, ensuring representation from relevant government bodies, national oil companies, and other stakeholders.
• Delivering a coordinated approach for partner engagement in Turkmenistan, accounting for the various technical activities and efforts of each partner organization.
• Providing regular, synthesized updates to IMEO management regarding the status of engagement and progress in Turkmenistan and beyond.
• Notifying government and company stakeholders of detected emissions events in Central Asia and ensuring follow-up actions are taken.
• Collecting and synthesizing feedback from stakeholders on emissions events, notification processes, and mitigation efforts.
• Coordinating technical follow-up from IMEO partners to address emissions events as appropriate.
• Engaging relevant government and NOC contacts to encourage membership in the Oil and Gas Methane Partnership 2.0.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a Master's degree or equivalent in environmental policy, management, law, political science, environmental studies, sustainability, environmental or climate policy, or a related field. Additionally, candidates must possess a minimum of six years of relevant professional experience working in government, industry, or related fields in Turkmenistan, with experience in other Central Asian countries being desirable. Candidates should have experience working directly with government officials and national oil companies on methane emissions, as well as experience with satellite-based methane monitoring. Strong coordination and organizational skills are essential, along with a proven ability to handle multiple concurrent workstreams and competing priorities.

Educational Background:
Candidates must have a Master's degree or equivalent in a relevant field such as environmental policy, management, law, political science, environmental studies, sustainability, or climate policy. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of environmental governance and policy-making, particularly in relation to methane emissions and climate change mitigation efforts.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of six years of relevant professional experience. This experience should ideally include working in government, industry, or related fields specifically in Turkmenistan, with additional experience in other Central Asian countries being advantageous. Candidates should have a proven track record of engaging with government officials and national oil companies on methane emissions, as well as familiarity with satellite-based methane monitoring techniques.

Languages:
Fluency in oral and written English is mandatory, as English is the working language of UNEP's IMEO. Knowledge of additional languages is considered an asset and may enhance communication with diverse stakeholders in the region.

Additional Notes:
The position is remote and is expected to last for a duration of six months. The consultant will be engaged on a contractual basis, and there are no fees associated with the recruitment process at any stage, including application, interview, or training. The United Nations does not request information regarding applicants' bank accounts.