Senior Climate/Carbon Specialist

Senior Climate/Carbon Specialist - Remote anywhere in APAC

The Senior Climate/Carbon Specialist plays a crucial role in scaling up conservation and restoration efforts through the design, development, and implementation of projects involving climate-based (carbon), biodiversity, or ecosystem services nature credits. This role also contributes to the Science Based Targets (SBTi) Scope 3 Initiative, evaluating projects for their potential to deliver Scope 3 emission reductions to meet client demand.

Key Responsibilities:

• Ensure the project portfolio delivers robust and technically sound outcomes in response to market demand.
• Maintain high-quality processes and practices for project rapid assessment, feasibility study, certification/validation, monitoring and reporting, and verification (MRV).
• Support origination efforts and portfolio management of the NBS business line.
• Research and develop new certification standards, frameworks, and methodologies to keep the company relevant and innovative.

Reporting to the Director of NBS, the role involves:

1. Climate:

   • Develop field data collection guidance, quantification tools, and approaches for carbon emission reduction/removal credit estimates.
   • Lead project validation and verification tasks to meet the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS).

2. New Standards:

   • Lead research and development of new climate, carbon, or other nature-based credit mechanisms, frameworks, methodologies, and innovative approaches.

3. Scope 3:

   • Support the creation of sustainability roadmaps and strategies for Scope 3 emission targets.

Position Responsibilities:

1. Technical Lead on Carbon Emission Quantifications:

   • Engage with cross-functional teams, clients/partners, and field consultants to provide expert guidance on carbon-related best practices.
   • Stay informed about updates in project validation and verification standards.
   • Develop and implement refined project rapid screening tools for various methodologies.
   • Work with technical teams to develop automated or semi-automated systems for project rapid assessment, feasibility study, project description (PD), and monitoring report (MR).
   • Lead carbon emission reduction/removal quantification efforts for projects at various stages.
   • Contribute to the development and revision of feasibility studies, PD, and MR documents for VCS, SD VISta, or CCB programs.
   • Develop and implement methodologies for project MRV at both project and portfolio levels.

2. R&D for New NBS Project Types:

   • Stay updated on new climate/carbon or other nature-based credit mechanisms.
   • Inform potential new business opportunities through R&D results.
   • Ensure the NBS portfolio meets evolving market and stakeholder demands.

3. Scope 3 Emission Reduction/Removal:

   • Support new business development in creating mechanisms to reduce Scope 3 carbon emissions.
   • Provide technical support for portfolio management.
   • Ensure programs meet client needs for corporate benchmarking.

Requirements:

• Master's degree in ecology, forestry, environmental science, natural resource management, sustainability development, or a related field.
• 5-10 years of professional experience in carbon projects or related fields.
• Knowledge and hands-on experience with international carbon accounting standards and guidelines.
• Proven experience in developing and implementing Verra and/or Plan Vivo compliant projects.
• Strong quantitative, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Advanced project management skills.
• Experience in managing and overseeing carbon projects.
• Excellent English communication skills, both written and verbal.

Personal Attributes and Competencies:

• Strong quantitative and critical thinking skills.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision and innovate creative strategies.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills.
• Leadership in task management and accountability