Result of Service
• Report on the feasibility analysis at the identified locations to monitor gases controlled under the Montreal Protocol, including a description of the methodology used, assumptions made, results obtained, uncertainties and recommendations for future work. • Report on the sub-sampling of high-frequency data from AGAGE stations to mimic daily flask sampling from the same sites, including a clear description of the methodology used, assumptions made, results obtained and recommendations for future work. • A final report on all assigned tasks, highlighting the key outcomes and recommendations for future work.
Expected duration
7 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 Ozone Secretariat is the Secretariat for the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer and for the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. The Ozone Secretariat of UNEP seeks a Scientific Specialist to support the implementation of a European Union-funded pilot project entitled “Regional quantification of emissions of substances controlled under the Montreal Protocol”. The aim of the pilot project is to begin the process of closing the gaps in the global coverage of atmospheric monitoring of substances controlled under the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. This is important in order to identify, quantify, and attribute unexpected emissions. It is also important to quantify known emissions. Continued and expanded monitoring will help sustain the achieved phaseouts of ozone-depleting substances and quickly identify unexpected emissive activities to assure that the healing of the ozone layer is not jeopardized. The purpose of this consultancy is to assess the suitability of identified stations around the world for use in monitoring gases controlled under the Montreal Protocol and evaluate the effectiveness of lower-frequency flask measurements in quantifying regional emissions compared to higher-frequency in-situ measurements at specific stations around the globe. The specialist will be working under the overall coordination of the Executive Secretary and under the direct supervision of the Senior Environmental Affairs Officer. The specialist will also be working in close consultation with the Steering Committee overseeing the implementation of the pilot project. Specific tasks and responsibilities: (a) Contributing to the work of the Steering Committee of the EU-funded pilot project in identifying needed locations for use in the monitoring of gases controlled under the Montreal Protocol. (b) Using existing simulations, assess the feasibility of using identified locations for monitoring controlled gases under the Montreal Protocol. These locations will be fewer than ten and will be proposed by the Steering Committee. (c) Carry out sub-sampling of existing high-frequency data from Advanced Global Atmospheric Gases Experiment (AGAGE) stations to mimic obtaining various frequencies and time of flask sampling from the same sites; compare the modelled emissions fluxes, mapping and uncertainties based on the sub-sampled measurements with those based on the full high-frequency measurement data; document the work through clear and concise reporting including recommendations for next steps. (d) Prepare a final report based on the assigned tasks, including the key outcomes and pertinent recommendations for future work. (e) Consult effectively with the Steering Committee and other scientists involved in the project to assist in the development of a robust approach to implement the tasks assigned. Of particular interest to the Steering Committee is the use of the subsampled modelling results for cost/benefit analyses of flask sampling at various frequencies compared to high-frequency in-situ measurements in future locations of sampling stations.
Qualifications/special skills
• An advanced degree in atmospheric science or related field is required. • A minimum of 10 years of professional experience working in a field relevant to climate change, ozone depletion, and air pollution is required. • Extended knowledge in the area of ozone layer protection and climate change and relevant atmospheric physical and chemical processes with particular emphasis on quantification of emissions is required. • Demonstrated expertise in atmospheric modelling with proven ability to develop and implement inversion techniques to estimate concentrations and emissions of ozone-depleting and/or greenhouse gases from atmospheric observations is required. • Demonstrated ability to develop and validate modeling methodologies, analyze atmospheric data, apply emissions quantification techniques, and integrate multiple data sources for comprehensive analyses is required.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this consultancy, fluency in English is required.
Additional Information
Not available.
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.