Lead or Senior Program Officer, Jurisdictional REDD+ Development

Verra Mobility • Remote (DC, US), DC

43d • Remote

About The Position

Verra is a global leader helping to tackle the world’s most intractable environmental and social challenges. As a mission-driven non-profit organization, Verra is committed to helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve livelihoods and protect natural resources across the private and public sectors. We support climate action and sustainable development with standards, tools, and programs that credibly, transparently, and robustly assess environmental and social impacts and enable funding for sustaining and scaling up projects that verifiably deliver these benefits. The Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) Program provides methodologies that support carbon projects, including REDD+. The VCS Jurisdictional and Nested REDD+ (JNR) Framework is the world’s first accounting and verification framework for jurisdictional REDD+ programs and nested projects, and has been approved by the Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market (ICVCM). Having recently registered the first JNR program, with more programs currently being developed and reviewed, Verra is looking for a specialist to support the continued growth of JNR, providing oversight to the JNR framework and engaging countries and other stakeholders in capacity building efforts.

Requirements

• In-depth understanding of jurisdictional and project REDD+, including the evolution of REDD+, the current state of the sector, and the relevant stakeholders engaged in implementation of REDD programs.
• Technical knowledge of, and experience working with, environmental and social standards, ideally including knowledge of VCS, the JNR Framework, and Verra’s REDD+ methodologies especially VM0048.
• Familiarity with climate change mitigation; GHG accounting; forest reference level development; MRV design; forest carbon methodologies, standards, and crediting programs; and REDD+ processes/initiatives (e.g., UNFCCC, Forest Carbon Partnership Facility)
• Degree in environmental science, environmental studies, forestry, or other applicable study area; advanced degree is advantageous.
• At least five years of professional experience in the climate field, ideally working in climate change mitigation and/or carbon markets.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, with experience collaborating with, communicating technical information to, and receiving input from a wide range of stakeholders.
• English as a standard business language for written and verbal communication.

Nice To Haves

• Preference will be given to candidates who have developed and/or used REDD+ methodologies.

Responsibilities

• Identifying ways to improve VCS Program REDD+ and JNR requirements and methodologies, including engaging external stakeholders and internal technical teams
• Implementing updates and improvements in collaboration with VCS Program Development staff and with input from Verra’s Project Management Department (PMD) and expert consultants
• Supporting the maintenance and updates to Verra’s consolidated REDD methodology, VM0048, and ensuring alignment between VM0048 and the JNR Framework
• Collaborating with Verra’s Communications and Engagement Team to support Verra’s forest carbon outreach and communications strategy, including developing and implementing capacity building sessions, conducting outreach to governments, and engaging investors
• Guiding stakeholders on Verra’s methodologies and technical requirements for JNR programs
• Supporting PMD on technical issues related to REDD+ and JNR as necessary

Benefits

• Medical, vision and dental care
• Verra contributions to each employee’s retirement plan/pension scheme with employee and employer contributions subject to statutory regulations
• Paid leave, comprising 22-30 days vacation, annual sick leave, holidays, and sabbatical after five years of service

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior