Carbon Markets Specialist (Monitoring, Reporting and Verification) at Sustainable Energy for All

Purpose/Objective of the role

• Responsible for overseeing and coordinating pilots around new carbon methodologies, support in MRV capacity building across sovereign and private players and support the build-up of demand for African carbon credits via continent-wide, awareness-raising initiatives. This while thoroughly ensuring the utmost integrity of carbon markets. 
• Leading the engagement with VVB/auditors with a view to make the MRV process more efficient and cost effective.

Duties and Accountabilities

The main duties and tasks of the role include:

• Work on a varied portfolio of activities, including: project management support, collaboration with partners, quantitative and qualitative analysis, presentation of analytical results, collaboration with SEforALL and ACMI colleagues.
• Engage with sovereign and private players in drafting strategic plans for the set up and scale MRV capacity building across jurisdictions.
• Maintain a network and level of engagement to keep current with development in the MRV space in Africa.
• Develop and provide dedicated validation and verification curriculum and trainings to build local capabilities, in partnership with universities, technical schools, standard setters and existing VVBs.
• Support stakeholders incubating emerging technologies that can facilitate faster and easier verification, monitoring, and reporting.
• Plan awareness raising campaigns on of the integrity and quality of differentiated Africa carbon credits, identifying events and partners best placed to support the work that SEforALL is undertaking vis-à-vis the MRV.
• Oversee pilots of new carbon credits methodologies by interacting with international stakeholders.
• Support the development of carbon projects through collaboration with international organisations for the need to invest, establishing guidelines on best practices, providing technical support to local project developers, and incubating early-stage projects.
• Promote carbon markets integrity via coordinating international standards bodies (VCS – Verra, Gold Standard for the Global Goals, Article 6 mechanism) and participating in advocacy campaigns.
• Represent SEforALL in external conversations, forums, and partnerships · Provide ongoing support to resolve strategic questions as they emerge during Action Programme implementation.
• Support Thematic Group meetings, including managing meeting cadence, confirming attendees, prepare briefings and content, managing inputs/advisory received from attendees and coordinating with the Thematic Group Chair.

Specific Competencies for the Role

• Master's Degree in environmental science, economics, international development or any other related field
• Have a minimum of six (6) years’ hands-on experience in carbon markets, sustainable energy, or other related fields
• At least five years of experience in the design and implementation of MRV systems and protocols, preferably in the field of climate change or environmental management.
• Strong knowledge of international MRV frameworks, including the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and market-based mechanisms for climate change mitigation.
• Experience in / knowledge of voluntary carbon markets, especially if in Africa.
• Experience in emerging markets and developing countries, with demonstrated expertise working with development, political and social issues across Africa.
• Understanding of various assessment methodologies is a plus, along with a thorough technical understanding of mitigation strategies.
• High level understanding of current status of MRV capacity on the continent and of barriers to scale.
• Experience in organizing awareness raising campaigns and mobilizing relevant actors.
• Strong quantitative and analytical writing skills; advanced proficiency in MS Excel and significant experience in producing concise, executive level reports and presentations, training modules and materials.
• Excellent interpersonal, social and networking skills, ability to engage with governments and the private sector. Prior experience working with governments and other broad partnerships highly desirable.
• Experience with knowledge management, learning and innovations in access to energy. Ability to raise awareness, coach and provide training to technical and non-technical project and partner staff.
• Entrepreneurial, result-oriented and driver for change. Ability to be flexible and adaptable.
• Strong communications and negotiation skills in speaking, writing, as well as presenting materials in variety of media.
• Expert command of the English language. Fluency in French and Portugese will be an added advantage.

General Competencies for the Role

• Innovation and Adaptability: Has proficient skills and commitment to search for and produce innovative and creative approaches to activities. Is flexible to evolving circumstances, as well as helps others in doing so.
• Resilience and Emotional Intelligence: Has proficient knowledge in the concepts of resilience and emotional intelligence. Is able to remain calm in challenging situations, to cope with setbacks, is responsive to the emotions of others and maintains a high level of performance.
• Analytical and Strategic Thinking: Has a proficient level of analytical and strategic thinking skills. Gathers and processes demanding information, develops innovative solutions and contributes by representing topics/approaches in internal working groups/teams.
• Collaboration and Partnership: Demonstrates proficient initiative and abilities to collaborate and partner with others in own are, and across teams. Identifies, develops, builds and actively promotes partnerships and collaboration, maintaining long-lasting partnerships. Displays team-oriented attitude contributing to creating a positive team spirit.
• Lead and Empower: Demonstrates initiative and role model behaviour in leading and empowering others. Takes responsibility for own work activities and personal actions and carries out the commitments agreed upon.
• Political and diplomatic understanding: Has a proficient level of political and diplomatic understanding.
• Communicating information: Has expert skills in communicating information and uses the skills effectively in own scope of work and in others’ work.
• Research and Analytics: Has proficient skills in research and analytics and uses the skills effectively in own scope of work.
• Project Management: Has proficient skills in project management. Plans and organises their own work using project management tools in support of achieving the team’s objectives.
• Client Orientation / Striving for Excellence: Has proficient skills in client orientation and achieving excellency in work delivery.

Closing date: 13 April 2023 at 23:59