UNPAID VOLUNTEER - Principal Research Officer - Emissions Management
Digital Technology Institute for Development · Remote
Role Title: Principal Research Officer – Emissions Management
Role Type: Unpaid Volunteer
Number of Positions: 1
Division: Research Division II – Energy & Environment
Location: Home-based / Remote
Reporting To: Deputy Director of Research – Energy & Environment / Research Division II Leadership
THIS IS AN UNPAID VOLUNTEER ROLE.
About DTID
The Digital Technology Institute for Development (DTID) is an international non-profit institute advancing the responsible use of artificial intelligence, blockchain and emerging digital technologies to support sustainable development and policy implementation.
DTID brings together professionals, researchers, technology specialists and other stakeholders to generate research, develop practical solutions, strengthen partnerships and support informed decision-making at the intersection of technology, climate change and sustainable development.
The Role
DTID is seeking an experienced and highly motivated Principal Research Officer – Emissions Management to provide specialist research expertise and technical leadership in greenhouse gas emissions measurement, monitoring, reporting, verification and management.
Working within Research Division II – Energy & Environment, the successful candidate will lead and contribute to research initiatives examining emissions management strategies, carbon accounting methodologies, emissions reduction technologies, regulatory frameworks and the application of emerging digital technologies to climate action.
The role will involve conducting independent research, analysing emissions-related data, evaluating international standards and regulatory developments, and developing evidence-based recommendations to support policymakers, governments, international organisations and other stakeholders.
The Principal Research Officer will also contribute to DTID's research on how artificial intelligence, blockchain, data analytics and other emerging technologies can improve emissions monitoring, reporting, verification, transparency and accountability.
This is a senior research position requiring strong technical expertise, independent research capability, excellent analytical skills and the ability to translate complex scientific and technical information into practical policy recommendations.
Key Responsibilities
The Principal Research Officer – Emissions Management will:
Lead and coordinate research on greenhouse gas emissions measurement, monitoring, reporting, verification and management.
Research and evaluate international emissions-management frameworks, methodologies, standards and regulatory developments.
Analyse emissions data, carbon accounting methodologies, emissions reduction strategies and sector-specific decarbonisation approaches.
Investigate the application of artificial intelligence, blockchain, IoT and other emerging technologies to emissions monitoring, reporting and management.
Develop research proposals, concept notes, policy briefs, technical reports and publications relating to emissions management and climate action.
Evaluate the effectiveness of existing emissions-management policies, technologies and regulatory frameworks and identify opportunities for improvement.
Provide technical guidance and research support to Research Officers and colleagues working on emissions-related initiatives.
Collaborate with other DTID research and technology teams on projects relating to carbon markets, climate finance, energy transition and environmental sustainability.
Engage with policymakers, researchers, international organisations and other relevant stakeholders to support research collaboration and knowledge-sharing.
Present research findings and recommendations through webinars, conferences, technical meetings and other relevant engagements.
Contribute to the continuous improvement of DTID's research methodologies, technical knowledge and research quality standards.
Undertake other reasonable research responsibilities relevant to the role as assigned by Research Division II leadership.
Requirements
Skills and Abilities
Candidates should demonstrate:
Excellent written and spoken English.
Strong analytical, quantitative and scientific research skills.
Advanced knowledge of greenhouse gas emissions measurement and management.
Ability to conduct independent research and produce high-quality technical and policy-oriented outputs.
Strong understanding of carbon accounting and emissions assessment methodologies.
Excellent organisational and time-management skills.
Strong attention to detail, accuracy and research integrity.
Ability to analyse complex datasets and interpret technical findings.
Ability to develop evidence-based recommendations and practical solutions to emissions-management challenges.
Strong professional communication, presentation and stakeholder-engagement skills.
Ability to communicate complex scientific and technical concepts to policymakers and non-specialist audiences.
Ability to work independently and take ownership of assigned research projects.
Ability to provide technical guidance and support to junior researchers.
Ability to collaborate effectively within a remote and internationally distributed team.
A proactive, innovative and solutions-focused approach to work.
General and Specialist Knowledge
Candidates should have strong knowledge or experience in several of the following areas:
Greenhouse gas emissions measurement, monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV).
Carbon accounting and greenhouse gas inventory development.
Corporate and national greenhouse gas emissions reporting.
Scope 1, Scope 2 and Scope 3 emissions assessment.
Emissions reduction strategies and decarbonisation pathways.
Climate change mitigation and emissions-management policies.
Carbon markets, emissions trading systems and carbon pricing mechanisms.
Energy-related emissions and industrial decarbonisation.
Emissions data collection, modelling, analysis and interpretation.
International climate agreements and emissions-related regulatory frameworks.
Digital technologies for emissions monitoring, reporting and verification.
Environmental data management and climate-related reporting.
Knowledge or experience relating to the following standards and frameworks would be particularly advantageous:
GHG Protocol – Greenhouse Gas Accounting and Reporting Standards.
ISO 14064 – Greenhouse Gas Quantification, Reporting and Verification.
ISO 14067 – Carbon Footprint of Products.
ISO 14065 – Requirements for Bodies Validating and Verifying Environmental Information.
IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories.
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement.
Knowledge of the application of artificial intelligence, blockchain, Internet of Things (IoT), data analytics and other emerging digital technologies to emissions management and climate action would also be advantageous.
Candidates should demonstrate proficiency in Microsoft Office and relevant research, data-analysis or emissions-management tools.
Education and Training
Candidates should preferably possess:
- A Master's degree or equivalent postgraduate qualification in Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Climate Change, Energy, Sustainability, Environmental Management, Chemical Engineering, Carbon Management or another relevant discipline.
A PhD in a relevant field would be advantageous.
Relevant professional qualifications, certifications or specialist training in the following areas would also be beneficial:
Greenhouse gas accounting and emissions reporting.
Carbon management and emissions verification.
Environmental auditing and management.
Climate change mitigation.
Energy and environmental policy.
Environmental data analysis and modelling.
Equivalent professional experience, specialist training or demonstrated technical expertise may also be considered where appropriate.
Professional proficiency in English is required.
Knowledge of an additional international language would be advantageous.
Experience
Candidates should ideally demonstrate:
Significant professional or research experience in greenhouse gas emissions management, carbon accounting, climate change mitigation, environmental management or a closely related field.
Experience conducting research on emissions measurement, monitoring, reporting, verification or reduction.
Experience applying recognised greenhouse gas accounting methodologies and emissions-reporting standards.
Experience analysing emissions data and developing technical assessments or recommendations.
Experience researching or evaluating climate-related policies, regulations and international frameworks.
Experience leading or coordinating technical research projects.
Experience producing research reports, technical publications, policy briefs or other substantive research outputs.
Experience providing technical guidance, mentoring or research supervision.
Experience building constructive relationships with institutional stakeholders.
Experience working independently and collaborating with multidisciplinary research teams.
Experience applying digital technologies to emissions monitoring, carbon accounting, environmental data management or climate-related reporting would be advantageous.
Experience within an international organisation, research institution, university, environmental consultancy, nonprofit organisation, technology organisation, energy-sector organisation or climate-focused institution would also be advantageous.
Benefits
What Difference Will You Make?
Effective emissions management is essential to understanding greenhouse gas emissions, evaluating climate change mitigation measures and supporting informed environmental and energy policy decisions.
As a Principal Research Officer – Emissions Management, you will contribute specialist research expertise to DTID's work on emissions measurement, monitoring, reporting, verification and reduction.
Your research will help identify how emerging digital technologies can improve the accuracy, transparency, efficiency and reliability of emissions-management systems.
Your contribution will strengthen DTID's research capabilities, technical expertise and policy relevance in emissions management, climate change mitigation and sustainable development, supporting the development of evidence-based recommendations for governments, international organisations and other relevant stakeholders.
Benefits
What Will You Gain from Volunteering with DTID?
Although this position is unpaid, volunteering with DTID provides opportunities to:
Apply and strengthen specialist expertise in greenhouse gas emissions management and climate change mitigation.
Lead and contribute to international research initiatives on emissions management and environmental sustainability.
Contribute to technical reports, policy briefs, research publications and other research outputs.
Gain experience examining the application of emerging digital technologies to emissions monitoring, reporting and verification.
Strengthen research leadership, technical analysis and policy advisory skills.
Collaborate with researchers, technology specialists and professionals from different countries and disciplines.
Gain exposure to international climate policy, energy transition, carbon markets and sustainable development.
Participate in relevant research projects, conferences, webinars and technical engagements where appropriate.
Build international professional networks and long-term professional relationships.
Develop experience working within a fully remote and globally distributed organisation.
Contribute directly to DTID's research agenda, climate-related initiatives and institutional development.
Selection Process
DTID is committed to identifying talented individuals with both demonstrated expertise and strong potential.
As a volunteer-led organisation, DTID recognises that candidates may have acquired their skills through different professional, academic or practical pathways. Applications may therefore be considered on the basis of demonstrated capability, relevant experience, transferable skills and potential.
The selection process will normally include:
Application screening
Written or technical assessment
Interview and/or technical discussion for shortlisted candidates
Final selection and onboarding
Candidates who successfully complete the written or technical assessment will be invited to progress to the next stage of the recruitment process.
Important Notice
This is an unpaid volunteer position.