IMEO Methane Specialist, Turkmenistan and Central Asia

The consultant will implement UNEP’s contribution to the UN Joint Programme in Turkmenistan. In addition, the consultant will deliver technical engagement of government and NOC officials across the Central Asian region. The consultant will report to MARS Programme Manager.

Remote

6 months

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority, setting the global environmental agenda and advocating for environmental action across the UN system. UNEP’s International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO) is a data-driven initiative accelerating reductions in methane emissions, a major contributor to climate change. IMEO provides open, reliable and actionable data to support emissions reductions aligned with the Paris Agreement. IMEO integrates data from methane-detecting satellites, scientific measurement studies, industry reporting through the Oil and Gas Methane Partnership 2.0 (OGMP 2.0), and national inventories. As a core implementing partner of the Global Methane Pledge, IMEO helps translate this growing body of evidence into methane action. IMEO also manages the Methane Alert and Response System (MARS), which detects major methane emissions using satellites and notifies stakeholders who can act. The consultant will support IMEO’s work in Turkmenistan, including strategy development, government engagement on technical topics, partner coordination, and delivery of priority initiatives. DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: • Provide technical inputs, revisions, and feedback to the activities recommended under the UN Joint Programme for Methane Emissions in Turkmenistan • Develop and maintain contact lists for countries within Central Asia, including representation from relevant government bodies, national oil companies, and other groups as needed • Deliver a coordinated approach for partner engagement in Turkmenistan that accounts for the various technical activities and efforts of each partner organization • Provide regular, synthesized updated to IMEO management regarding status of engagement and progress in Turkmenistan and beyond • Notify government and company stakeholders of detected emissions events in Central Asia and provide follow-up to ensure action is taken • Collect and synthesize feedback from stakeholders on emissions events in Central Asia, notification process, and mitigation efforts • Coordinate, as appropriate, technical follow up from IMEO partners to address the emissions event • Engage relevant government and NOC contacts to encourage membership to the Oil and Gas Methane Partnership 2.0

Masters or Equivalent in environmental policy, managlaw, political science, environmental studies, sustainability, environmental or climate policy or a related field. • A minimum of six years of relevant professional experience working in government, industry or related fields in Turkmenistan. Experience in other Central Asian countries is also desirable • Experience working directly with government officials and national oil companies on methane emissions is desirable • Experience with satellite-based methane monitoring is desirable. • Strong coordination and organizational skills, with a proven ability to handle multiple concurrent workstreams and competing priorities.

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

RESULT OF SERVICES: • A concept and design for the coordination of technical activities under the UN Joint Programme for Methane Emissions Reduction in Turkmenistan • Robust contact lists developed for key stakeholders in the region, notably in Turkmenistan • High-quality, synthesized information available on current status of government engagement, key priorities, and technical barriers • Timely and accurate notification reports distributed to stakeholders PERFORMANCE INDICATORS: • The effectiveness and management of the work. • Speed and quality of delivery of tasks. • Quality of communications with UNEP staff and external stakeholders.