Result of Service

Satellite data analysis, satellite tasking, and methane plume attribution to specific sources.

Work Location

Remote

Expected duration

12 months

Duties and Responsibilities

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. A remote sensing analyst is needed to support IMEO in its implementation of the Methane Alert and Response System (MARS), the first system connecting near-real-time satellite detections of methane emissions with notifications to stakeholders on the ground. The analyst would support the MARS team in the satellite data analysis, satellite tasking, and methane plume attribution process. The consultant’s main task will be to analyze and validate the emission alerts that MARS receives on a daily basis, collect the necessary information to notify the relevant stakeholders of the detected emissions and follow up on the different cases of super emissions that MARS finds. To do this, the consultant will need to have high attention to detail, a good ability to understand satellite images of different formats and in different scenarios, and good skills to properly label methane plumes and identify different types of false positives present in the methane retrievals. In addition, the consultant will support the process of integrating new satellite data into the system as they become available and implement possible improvements to the methane retrieval that MARS currently obtains from different satellites. The consultant will also be responsible for exploring new areas using satellite imagery to find new yet unidentified emission sources and to routinely task hyperspectral images in areas of interest to IMEO and MARS.

Qualifications/special skills

A bachelor’s degree is required, preferably in geomatics, remote sensing, natural sciences, or a related field. Minimum of two years of proven experience in the analysis of high spatial resolution satellite data. Experience in satellite image labeling will be highly valued. Knowledge of geospatial data. Knowledge of the main sources of methane emissions. Knowledge of the oil and gas sector and coal mines will be an asset.

Languages

Fluency in English is required for this position. Working knowledge of any other languages will be an asset.

Additional Information

Objectives • Validating potential plumes detected by AI and preparing the relevant information for notification of plumes. • Support data ingestion from different satellites used to detect high-resolution methane plumes and implement improvements whenever there is an opportunity. • Explore new areas of potential emissions. • Support quality control of the plumes detected by MARS. Output Expectations • MARS alerts: keep the MARS daily alert list updated and address all alerts that come up each week • Data tasking: request images from on-demand data missions (e.g., PRISMA and EnMAP) regularly, and extract all images of interest to MARS from the missions’ archives. • New area exploration: explore at least one new area of potential emissions (e.g., new TROPOMI hot spots, unexplored oil and gas fields, or coal mining areas) every two months. Performance Indicators • The MARS alert list is updated regularly • In the quality control process of validated images, there should be no images with emissions validated as images without plumes, and enhancements flagged as plumes should not be false positives. • False positives flagged as real emissions will be a key performance indicator, as well as the accuracy of plume labeling (properly characterizing methane plumes). • Data ingestion from targeted missions needs to be intensive.

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.