A robust, secure, and well-governed IMEO database ecosystem is established, enabling reliable integration of multiple methane data streams and supporting consistent, high-quality data flows across IMEO applications to deliver trusted, scalable methane intelligence for decision-making and action.

Remote

12 months

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system, and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. 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 purpose of the IMEO Senior Database Consultant role is to ensure that IMEO’s core databases are strategically designed, well-governed, and reliably operated to integrate diverse methane data streams into a trusted, secure, and scalable foundation. The role enables high-quality data to flow seamlessly between source systems and IMEO products, supports sector-specific analytical needs, and underpins IMEO’s ability to deliver credible, actionable methane intelligence for policy, accountability, and mitigation at global scale. Key areas of Focus: Defines direction, standards, decisions, and architecture of the database that are informed by business unit priorities. Defines full data cycle from ingestion to analytics. Responsible for charting a database roadmap that aligns with programme goals. Oversees data-related implementation carried out by internal developers/analysts or external vendors Maintains governance, documentation, and data quality "discipline" Ensures performance, interoperability, and sustainability of the system Job priorities include: Database strategy & roadmapping, inclusive of incorporating the findings and recommendations of the database audit Architecture Consulting & database schema guidelines, complete architecture decisioning. Data Governance which establishes and maintains data dictionary, metadata standards, access levels, role definitions access level Technical documentation oversight, all platform features require documentation, diagrams data flows and endpoints. Query optimisation, including coaching devs on best practices and intervene in critical performance issues. Security and Access Control Decisions including roles, permissions and quarterly access audit and reco memo. Coordinate closely with DevOps and AI engineering teams to design, automate, and manage reliable data flows across IMEO applications, ensuring that database structures, pipelines, and model outputs are correctly integrated, scalable, and do not compromise data quality, security, or platform performance. Lead once-a-week data strategy call with DB engineers, AI engineers, dev ops and developers. Liaise closely with the data analysts from each workstream, OGMP2.0, MARS, Science and Data Integration to understand, execute and update on key business prioirities as well as clear any bottlenecks. Quality Assurance and hygiene, creation of a lightweight data hygiene routine.

-Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent minimum) in computer science, statistics. data science, or a related field. At least 10 years of experience in the field of data analysis or software engineering, including leading or working with a team of analysts, engineering and setting technical direction and establishing data analysis best practices. Recent professional experience with large data sets, distributed computing and systems that deal with big data and advanced analytics carried out on the cloud Experience with emissions data, satellite data and sectoral understanding. Demonstrated experience working closely with business stakeholders, data analysts, development, dev ops and AI teams is a plus. Scientific programming systems experience preferred.

English and French are working languages of the United Nations. For this post, fluency of English is required.

Key Outputs: Succint database overview & historic brief explaining why the DB looks as it does along with the risks that exist, up to 5 pages. Should contain rationale for current design, key legacy decisions, known technical debt and constraints. Current-State Architecture Diagram, validated by engineering. Should include database, pipelines, APIs, applications, environments and dependencies. Submit in pdf/png. Entity Relationship Diagram (ERD) which clarifies key tables, structure and joins. A golden-path view that shows key tables and joins for the most important use cases so users can understand and query the data quickly without dealing with full complexity. High level data flows & Lineage that shows movement of the data, including source, ingestion, transformation, consumption for key datasets. Security and Access model that provides assurance on data protection. Roles, access tiers, with a clear understanding of who can see what and how it’s enforced. Data Hygiene & QA/QC Overview that provides assurance on trust in data outputs, should list existing quality checks, reconciliation logic, known gaps, ownership. 12 month DB roadmap with clear plan on Immediate stabilisation and delivery, on top fixes and improvements required in next 3 months. Should also provide strategic direction with priorities, sequencing, trade-offs for cleanliness, scale, and maintainability. Management and execution of the 12 month roadmap.

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.