Online Volunteer for MARG Green Buildings Project Repository

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) was established to provide leadership and encourage partnership in caring for the environment. UNEP has been a leading advocate for environmental issues for over five decades, working with 193 Member States and various stakeholders to improve the quality of life globally without compromising future generations. The organization focuses on monitoring the health of the planet, ensuring that scientific evidence informs decision-making, and promoting environmental rule of law. UNEP's mission is supported by voluntary contributions, which account for 95% of its funding, enabling it to address pressing environmental challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. UNEP collaborates with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to promote sustainable development initiatives, particularly in the realm of green buildings.

Job Overview:
The Online Volunteer position is designed to support the initial mapping and data curation for the MARG Green Buildings Project Repository. This role involves working closely with the UNEP and IFC teams to develop a structured and accessible platform that organizes information on green-building projects. The volunteer will be responsible for creating an initial dataset that will serve as the foundation for the repository, ensuring that the data is accurate, complete, and consistent. The role requires a commitment to quality assurance and attention to detail, as the effectiveness of the repository relies heavily on the integrity of the underlying project data. The volunteer will engage in desk research, data collection, and verification processes to build a reliable database that can be expanded in the future by project partners and owners.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Online Volunteer will undertake several key responsibilities, including:

• Reviewing and understanding the MARG project-data structure and classification framework.
• Developing or refining a project mapping and data collection template using Google Sheets.
• Identifying relevant green-building projects from various public, institutional, and partner sources.
• Conducting desk research to gather information on identified projects.
• Recording project information in the MARG dataset, ensuring all agreed fields are populated accurately.
• Cross-checking information across multiple sources to verify key project details before inclusion.
• Identifying and flagging duplicate, incomplete, or inconsistent project entries for review.
• Applying data-quality and classification criteria consistently across the dataset.
• Identifying gaps in project information and conducting additional research as necessary. 1
• Maintaining source references for all project information to facilitate future verification and updates. 1
• Preparing the cleaned and structured dataset for integration into the MARG Google Sites repository and its underlying data layer. The ultimate deliverable will be a quality-checked initial MARG project dataset, ready for use in the repository.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates for the Online Volunteer position should possess a strong attention to detail and a commitment to data quality. Familiarity with Google Sheets and data management practices is essential. The ideal candidate should have experience in research, data collection, and verification processes. Additionally, the ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team is crucial. Strong organizational skills and the capacity to manage multiple tasks effectively will be important for success in this role. A background in environmental studies, data science, or a related field is preferred but not mandatory.

Educational Background:
While specific educational qualifications are not explicitly stated, a background in environmental science, data management, or a related field would be beneficial. Candidates should demonstrate a strong understanding of data collection and analysis methodologies, as well as an interest in sustainable development and green building practices.

Experience:
The position is suitable for individuals with varying levels of experience, including students, recent graduates, or professionals looking to gain experience in data management and environmental initiatives. Previous experience in research, data curation, or project management would be advantageous but is not strictly required.

Languages:
Proficiency in English is mandatory, as all documentation and communication will be conducted in this language. Knowledge of additional languages may be considered an asset, particularly if it pertains to the regions or stakeholders involved in the green-building projects.

Additional Notes:
This is a remote volunteer position, allowing for flexible working hours. The duration of the assignment is not specified, but it is expected to be project-based, focusing on the initial data-building phase for the MARG Green Buildings Project Repository. The role is ideal for individuals seeking to contribute to meaningful environmental initiatives while gaining valuable experience in data management and research.