IMEO Data Engineer

The IMEO Data Engineer consultant will integrate satellite data into the main data system and develop tools to facilitate the analysis and management of geospatial data.

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 IMEO Data Engineer will support IMEO in implementing the Methane Alert and Response System (MARS), which connects near-real-time satellite methane detections with notifications to stakeholders. The consultant will focus on integrating new satellite data sources, including NNSFC, CarbonMapper, and GOSAT-GW into MARS. This includes making necessary adjustments to the database schema to ensure smooth data ingestion, processing, and storage. The consultant will also develop tools for automated notification report generation based on validated satellite detections. In addition, he will assist with the re-training and deployment of AI models to improve methane emissions detection, ensuring the models are integrated with the MARS system and optimized for current data workflows. While the primary focus will be on data integration and AI model improvements, the consultant will also provide backend support for the PlumeViewer and IMEO Data Portal applications. This includes ensuring accurate data is displayed on both applications and keeping timely updates to the IMEO Data Portal updated. The consultant will report to MARS Programme Manager.

Masters or Equivalent in computer science, data engineering, remote sensing or related field. Or a related field (optional) • Minimum of 3 years of proven experience in the development of data processing, analysis, and visualization tools, preferably focused on high-resolution satellite remote sensing data • Knowledge and experience with PostgreSQL, Azure cloud, Python, and CI/CD tools such as Jenkins. • Demonstrated scientific expertise in Remote Sensing

Fluency in oral and written English. English is the working language of UNEP's IMEO. Knowledge of additional languages is an asset.

• MARS analysis tools: at the beginning of the contract, the consultant will be provided with a list of tasks to be implemented, including developing specific data analysis functions, creating tables and connections for the integration and interconnection of new satellite and space sensor data, and optimizing the data stream between the different tools that IMEO-MARS uses. • Export internal data: the consultant shall provide the different IMEO members not experts in satellite data or without access to the internal MARS databases with the information they need in the required formats, e.g., time series of emissions in a particular region, plume figures, location of identified emission sources, etc. Specific tasks and responsibilities: O Improve internal MARS tools for geospatial data management and analysis. O Create new functions to exploit and store satellite data efficiently O Support the ingestion of new satellite and spatial sensor data O Assist different IMEO groups that need internal MARS data O Enhance CI/CD and automate deployments for the core MARS technical stack, and improve the accuracy of annual point source estimations. O Coordinate technical data dissemination, by creating reproducible workflows for methane retrievals and maintaining MARS public data pipelines for plumes, sources and top 50 emitters.

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.