IMEO Product Owner - Science Projects

Organizational Context

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority. Its International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO) is a data-driven initiative focused on reducing methane emissions to achieve Paris Agreement goals. IMEO collects and integrates methane data from various sources, acting as a core partner of the Global Methane Pledge.

Job Purpose

The Product Owner will maximize the value of IMEO's data products by defining and prioritizing requirements, managing the product backlog, and collaborating with science and digital product stakeholders. This role is crucial for ensuring the efficient transition of scientific data into high-quality, actionable digital products for diverse stakeholders, including national authorities and civil society. The Product Owner will develop product strategies, coordinate across teams to meet delivery milestones, and facilitate the sharing of methane insights, contributing directly to climate action and the Global Methane Pledge.

Responsibilities

Define, prioritize, and lead the development of methane data products for diverse stakeholders, working with scientists and analysts. Ensure scientific data products move efficiently from scientific outputs to published digital products. Develop product strategy and deliver high-quality outputs in a structured manner. Act as a central coordination point across teams to achieve delivery milestones. Establish coordination mechanisms between science and digital product teams to share methane insights. Manage and maintain the operational backlog for digital implementation. Establish handovers from analytical outputs to digital products. Facilitate team ceremonies and ensure accuracy and quality during data-to-digital conversion. Identify and address bottlenecks, risks, and dependencies.

Work Experience

Five or more years of relevant experience in product ownership, project management, or similar coordination roles within an Agile/Scrum environment. Experience working across technical and non-technical teams, and with data products, platforms, or analytics teams is required. Familiarity with agile or hybrid delivery environments and backlog management tools like Jira is also needed.

Skills

Product ownership, project management, Agile/Scrum methodologies, backlog management (e.g., Jira), stakeholder engagement, communication, negotiation, organizational skills, ability to manage multiple workstreams, translating between technical and non-technical domains, data quality attention to detail.

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