ABOUT CONSERVATION INTERNATIONAL
For over 30 years, Conservation International (CI) has been protecting nature for the benefit of everyone on Earth. However, we are not a run-of-the-mill environmental organization; our focus is on people and nature. We know that human beings are totally dependent on nature, and that when we work to save nature we are really working to save ourselves. CI has a staff of over 1,000 employees working in more than 30 countries to build a healthier, more prosperous and more productive planet. Our goal is to protect the most fundamental things that nature provides to all of us: our food, fresh water, our livelihoods, and a stable climate. CI works at every level, from remote villages to the offices of presidents and CEOs, to find these solutions.
ABOUT THE POSITION
Conservation International’s Carbon Fund works with a wide range of partners to support REDD+ and Blue carbon projects and initiatives that help combat climate change by reducing deforestation and conserving critical ecosystem services. These REDD+ and blue carbon initiatives go beyond protecting forests by integrating sustainable production and focusing on improving human well-being.
The Carbon Fund team of CI’s Conservation Finance Division is seeking a Regional Carbon Technical Director to assist in developing a pipeline of new investable avoided deforestation, restoration and blue carbon site- and jurisdictional-scale initiatives. The Specialist will be responsible for conducting feasibility assessments of project and jurisdictional opportunities for REDD+, conducting field visits for identified opportunities, and then moving these to full-scale development including elaboration of Project Description Documents as well as leading the validation and verification processes for those being certified to voluntary market standards like the VCS and CCB. Although the Regional Carbon Technical Director will be largely responsible for leading the development of CI’s REDD+ portfolio in Africa, the position will also be heavily involved in developing CI’s broader portfolio of projects in the Americas and Asia Pacific region, working in conjunction with other Carbon Fund colleagues and CI country programs and partners
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Conduct field and desk-based feasibility assessments to identify and prioritize new carbon opportunities. The feasibility assessment might include aspects such as assessing the agents and drivers of deforestation, conducting potential emissions reduction and removal analysis, estimating project and program intervention costs, identifying implementation partners and key stakeholders, assessing potential risk and challenges;
In conjunction with relevant project staff, conduct the full technical development of viable carbon opportunities. This includes but is not limited to developing carbon emissions baseline and project scenarios, leading the design of field-based forest carbon stock assessments and subsequent data analysis, developing appropriate MRV protocols, contributing to the identification and design of field implementation activities, writing project certification documents including PDDs, project climate, community and biodiversity monitoring plans and MIRs, designing and managing work plans and budgets for technical activities related to carbon project development, and leading projects through audit and validation/verification processes
Develop and maintain CI’s relationships with partners and support capacity building as needed;
Preparation of funding proposals and any other documentation required to support the development and alignment of these initiatives to access finance, as well as other duties as assigned by supervisor.
Work together with the Conservation South Africa Field and Conservation Finance teams to implement the above activities within the South African Rangelands Landscapes.
Design deal structures and lead certification processes that include biodiversity, water and community co-benefits (where applicable) in the savannah, grassland and succulent karoo habitats, and ensure alignment of these processes with CSA’s Ecosystem Based Adaptation priority areas and activities”
REQUIRED (critical to successful job performance. Applicants not meeting required skills may not be hired)
Masters degree in environmental science or management, climate science or related fields;
At least 10 years work experience with REDD+ project development and implementation;
At least 10 years work experience with the application and use of carbon accounting approaches and methodologies in Africa;
Demonstrated experience with getting REDD+ projects through the full VCS and CCBS validation and verification process, including the development of Project Description Document (PDDs), Monitoring & Implementation Reports (MIRs) and Validation and Verification Body (VVB) audits;
Demonstrated knowledge on forest and biodiversity conservation, carbon accounting, national and international REDD+ policy frameworks, including Forest Emissions Reference Level and livelihood development approaches;
Experience with training field teams on developing and implementing forest, carbon and biodiversity monitoring plans;
Experience working across different African countries;
Excellent analytical skills;
Proven team player able to work effectively across cultures and within and across organizations;
Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English;
Highly organized and strong attention to detail;
Demonstrated problem solving skills and ability to build on existing knowledge to develop new approaches;
Track record of scientific publications.
PREFERRED
Knowledge in spatial analysis, GIS and remote sensing;
Familiarity with land management project design (e.g. using Open Standards), project management and financial modelling;
Experience communicating about REDD+ and other forest carbon finance mechanisms to technical and non-technical audiences;
Experience working with or within the private sector, including corporates and/or institutional investors, on climate or forest-related issues;
Working experience with indigenous peoples and traditional communities
APPLICATION PROCESS AND DISCLAIMER:
Persons who meet the above-mentioned requirements are encouraged to apply.
Please forward your Curriculum Vitae and cover letter to: [email protected]
Applications close on 19 February 2020 and no applications received after this date will be considered.
Shortlisted candidates will be contacted directly and should be available for interviews.
CSA will communicate with shortlisted candidates only.
If you do not receive feedback from us within 14 days of the closing date, please consider your application unsuccessful.
Applicants will need to have the legal right to work in South Africa without employer sponsorship.
Conservation South Africa retains the right not to fill this position.
CSA is an affirmative action employer, wherever possible, selection will favour previously disadvantaged individuals, provided they are in possession of the required skills, knowledge and experience.