IMEO Product Owner – Science Projects

Result of Service

The Product Owner is responsible for maximizing the value of IMEO’s data products by defining and prioritizing product requirements, managing the product backlog, and collaborating with science and digital products stakeholders to ensure the delivery of high-quality high-value solutions that meet user needs.

Work Location

Remote

Expected duration

12 months

Duties and Responsibilities

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 Product Owner will define, prioritize, and lead the development of methane data products for diverse stakeholders, developed by a team of scientists and analysts. The key deliverable is ensuring that IMEO scientific data products move efficiently from scientific outputs to published digital products. Provided with a defined product vision, the Product Owner is responsible for developing a product strategy, prioritizing and delivering high-quality high-value outputs in a structured, reliable way and act as the central coordination point across teams to achieve the agreed delivery milestones. This includes establishing coordination mechanisms between the science teams and the digital products team allowing IMEO to share methane insights with external stakeholders, including national authorities, regional organizations, civil society, and experts. The consultant will report to the Programme Management Officer.

Qualifications/special skills

Bachelor’s degree in Data Science, Analytics, Business Administration, Information Systems, STEM, or a related field Five or more years of relevant experience Product ownership, project management, or similar coordination roles within an Agile/Scrum environment Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple parallel workstreams. • Experience working across technical and non-technical teams. Ability to translate between different domains (e.g. science, data, and digital development) Pragmatic mindset — able to bring structure without slowing teams down Strong communication, negotiation and stakeholder engagement skills. High attention to detail, especially around data quality and handoffs Work with data products, data platforms, or analytics teams. Familiarity with agile or hybrid delivery environments. Experience with backlog management tools such as Jira

Languages

Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Other languages are an asset.

Additional Information

TASKS & RESPONSIBILITIES: 1. Science–Digital interface: • Establish interfaces between the science and digital products teams • Map existing data products and map and plan future data products • Establish coordination mechanism between digital products team to gather baseline user requirements and expectations • Define a delivery plan and milestones • Translate the product vision between the science and digital products teams • Manage and maintain the operational backlog for digital implementation • Establish handovers from analytical outputs (e.g. datasets, tables) to digital products (e.g. web-based tools, data portal) • Communicate high-priority features between science and digital products teams • Establish team ceremonies (sprint planning, backlog refinement, sprint review, sprint retrospectives, steering meetings, user needs assessment) • Ensure accuracy and quality during the data-to-digital conversion process • Improve processes and introduce lightweight structures where needed (without over-engineering) • Identify bottlenecks, risks, and dependencies and proactively address them • Integrate lessons learned 2. Management support: • Summarize product status information to contribute to donor reporting and work plan development. The consultant will in close consultation with the UN Environment Programme Paris Office. The outputs need to be accepted by the UNEP to be considered satisfactory. PERFORMANCE INDICATORS: • Effectiveness in defining and prioritizing the product backlog • Timely delivery of product features aligned with business priorities • Stakeholder satisfaction with product outcomes and collaboration • Quality and clarity of product requirements and acceptance criteria • Ability to facilitate decision-making and resolve competing priorities

No Fee

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.