Latest Jobs at Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL)

Context of the Africa Carbon Markets Initiative (ACMI)

The ACMI is a continent-wide effort launched at COP27 that aims to build the foundations for a thriving voluntary carbon market (VCM) ecosystem in Africa by 2030. To do so, a number of challenges must be overcome, including: fragmented projects and carbon generating assets, limited and fragmented developers on the ground, and a complex and uncertain regulatory landscape. Meanwhile, intermediation and demand are being held back by concerns about the integrity of some carbon credits and fair distribution of value. To build vibrant and robust voluntary carbon markets (VCMs) in Africa, ACMI includes 4 core objectives:

• Grow African carbon credits retirements ~19-fold from ~16 MtCO2e retired in 2020 to ~300 MtCO2e per annum by 2030 and up to 1.5-2.5 GtCO2e by 2050
• Create or support 30 million jobs by 2030 and more than 100 million jobs by 2050 through carbon projects development, execution, certification, and monitoring
• Raise the quality and integrity of African credits to mobilize up to US$6 billion by 2030 and more than US$100 billion per annum by 2050
• Ensure equitable and transparent distribution of carbon credit revenue, with a significant portion of revenue going to local communities

To achieve these objectives, ACMI has laid out a roadmap of 13 Action Programmes across the VCM value chain – spanning supply, intermediation and financing, and demand. Action Programme 1 looks specifically at Country carbon market activation plan.

A tactical starting point for any country seeking to build a carbon ecosystem is to draw up a plan for developing the market. In this context, the challenges are mainly related to complex or unfavourable regulatory landscape (e.g., related to land rights/ concessions, ownership of credits, Article 6, and split between nationally determined contributions vs. voluntary contributions). SEforALL is looking to overcome the existing barriers by supporting governments in developing country voluntary carbon market activation plans that stimulate the carbon credit ecosystem, build local capacity and clarify regulation (e.g., land tenure). Plans would set a country-level ambition, integrate VCMs into broader climate plans, align relevant governance structures, clarify regulation, develop demand incentives, and support the local market ecosystem. These will be linked to the work that SEforALL does in the area of energy transition, particularly the formulation and implementation of the Energy Transition and Investment Plans (ETIPs).

Purpose/Objective of the Role

The main objectives of the role include:

• Leading the collaboration with ACMI partners, member of governments, and other stakeholders, in drafting strategies and plans for the launch and activation of voluntary carbon markets, drafting frameworks and supporting in the identification of policies activating the plans.
• Ensure the integration of the carbon markets activation plans with the Energy Transition and Investment Plans (ETIPs), where appropriate. 
• 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. Overseeing the delivery of the ACMI Accelerator Program, in collaboration with ACMI partners, as well as coordinating multiple stakeholder engagement initiatives, including dedicated webinars, events and roadshows.
• Leading the SEforALL efforts in the scale up of programmes for carbon credits generation, including identifying and working with partners across standards bodies, financial institutions, and general organizations in developing frameworks and solutions to directly support project developers across the continent.

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.
• Support the engagement with Senior Government decision makers on issues of strategy and policy around energy transition, carbon markets and climate finance, providing expert inputs to country teams (e.g., leading workshops, facilitating meetings with local and international experts)
• Develop frameworks, guides, and other communication documents which effectively detail the components and steps involved in establishing carbon market activation plans, and the links of those plans to energy transition in the country.
• Monitor progresses on engaged countries, ensuring internal and external targets are met; if issues arise, identify solutions and mitigation actions.
• Identify new priority countries to be engaged, and prepare relevant engagement collateral
• Continue engaging with countries that have expressed interest, through e.g., regional webinars, as a mode of interim support before full support is secured to launch a country activation plan
• Size funding need for each country and work in collaboration with fundraising manager to identify funding opportunities; support proposal development and reach out to donors on selective opportunities
• Engage with relevant external stakeholders such as other not-for-profit organizations, donors, media, suppliers, buyers, and agencies, in advocating for carbon markets in Africa
• Plan and deliver project developer engagement initiatives, including: running the dedicated project developers’ chat/ platform; organizing workshops centred around a key theme, with expert participation; organizing and delivering dedicated networking events and roadshows
• Coordinate Accelerator partners, including Accelerator, external consultancies, and experts, in delivering programs to different project developer categories
• Define and oversee Accelerator activities, including but not limited to: reviewing selection criteria and selection process, inviting experts, ensuring correct classes cadence and events timeline, allocating participants to the right kinds of expert support, planning for pitch day
• Develop and maintain a network of project developers, verification bodies (VVBs) and standard bodies (e.g., Gold Standard and Verra’s VCS) to invite as delivery partner in the accelerator program as well as thought partners to identify adapted methodologies to certify carbon credit projects
• 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
• Create a continent-wide coalition to support carbon credit project developers through advocacy to financers and regulators, awareness raising, knowledge sharing and technical support for project development, and facilitation of partnerships
• Identify and work with financial institutions to develop and scale financial solutions
• Represent SEforALL in external conversations, forums, and partnerships
• Provide ongoing support to resolve strategic questions as they emerge during Action Programme implementation
• Supporting 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

• Masters Degree in environmental science, economics, international development or any other related field
• At least five years of experience in project management, preferably in the field of climate change or environmental management
• Strong knowledge of the carbon market industry, including international carbon market frameworks, and market-based mechanisms for climate change mitigation
• Experience in emerging markets and developing countries, with demonstrated expertise working with energy development, political and social issues across Africa
• Experience in government advisory; experience with engagement at senior levels of government in Africa is a plus
• Experience in / knowledge of voluntary carbon markets, especially in Africa
• Experience in working with ambiguity and navigating complex environments
• Extensive (international) network and up-to-date knowledge about carbon markets, inclusive of strategies for further scaling, funding and social development
• 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 expert skills and commitment to search for and produce innovative and creative approaches to activities. Is flexible to evolving circumstances, as well as proactively helps others in doing so.
• Resilience and Emotional Intelligence: Has expert 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 very high level of performance. Actively promotes resilience and emotional intelligence in their team.
• Analytical and Strategic Thinking: Has an expert level of analytical and strategic thinking skills. Gathers and processes demanding information, develops innovative solutions and contributes by representing topics/approaches in internal and cross functional working groups as well as special committees/decision-making teams. Uses business analytics to develop and propose programme priorities/objectives.
• Collaboration and Partnership: Promotes effective collaboration with colleagues within and across teams, partners and stakeholders and advises leadership team/CEO on valuable operational, strategic, technical and financial partnerships with relevant stakeholders. Actively builds and maintains effective relationships at various levels inside and outside the organisation. 
• Lead and Empower: Understands clearly their people management role. Serves as a role model when managing and supervising others. Provides their team with clear direction. Effective, with support, at prioritising the empowerment, coaching, mentorship and performance management of others.
• Political and diplomatic understanding: Has an expert level of political and diplomatic understanding and serves as a role model. Actively supports staff/team when dealing with stakeholder/partners in political/diplomatic negotiations/discussions.
• Communicating information: Has expert skills in communicating information. Serves as a role model in communicating information and fosters communicating information in own organisational unit/team. Keeps staff informed of decisions and directives as appropriate. Provides constructive feedback to the team.
• Research and Analytics: Has expert skills in research and analytics. Leads analysis and identifies key issues, opportunities, risks and challenges. Applies results of research activities and business analytics to establish objectives for own unit. Makes rational judgments and proposes actions and decisions from the available information and analysis. 
• Project Management: Has expert skills in project management. Manages own projects and programmes. Is able to create plans for managing a range of SEforALL and/or integrated business projects and programmes at unit/team level. Has the ability to identify and organize objectives, tasks and resources. Monitors progress, risks and contingency plans along with budgets and timelines. Actively promotes use of project management as a tool to enhance efficiency.
• Client Orientation / Striving for Excellence: Has expert skills in client orientation and in achieving excellency in work delivery. Serves as a role model and develops within their team, a client orientated attitude. Ensures internal and external long-term relationships through developing suitable services. Advises leadership team in identifying long-term and mutually beneficial solutions for both clients and the organisation.  

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Context of the Africa Carbon Markets Initiative (ACMI)

The Africa Carbon Markets Initiative (ACMI) is a continent-wide effort launched at COP27 that aims to build the foundations for a thriving voluntary carbon market (VCM) ecosystem in Africa by 2030. To do so, a number of challenges must be overcome, including: fragmented projects and carbon generating assets, limited and fragmented developers on the ground, and a complex and uncertain regulatory landscape. Meanwhile, intermediation and demand are being held back by concerns about the integrity of some carbon credits and fair distribution of value. To build vibrant and robust voluntary carbon markets (VCMs) in Africa, ACMI includes 4 core objectives:

• Grow African carbon credits retirements ~19-fold from ~16 MtCO2e retired in 2020 to ~300 MtCO2e per annum by 2030 and up to 1.5-2.5 GtCO2e by 2050.
• Create or support 30 million jobs by 2030 and more than 100 million jobs by 2050 through carbon projects development, execution, certification, and monitoring.
• Raise the quality and integrity of African credits to mobilize up to US$6 billion by 2030 and more than US$100 billion per annum by 2050.
• Ensure equitable and transparent distribution of carbon credit revenue, with a significant portion of revenue going to local communities.

To achieve these objectives, ACMI has laid out a roadmap of 13 Action Programmes across the VCM value chain – spanning supply, intermediation and financing, and demand. Action Programmes 4 looks specifically at monitoring, reporting, and verification and validation (MRV) activities; Action Programme 9 deals with advocating on building demand for African carbon credits; Action Programme 10 focuses on piloting new project types and methodologies relevant to decarbonization opportunities; and Action Programme 13 centers on ensuring the integrity of carbon markets in Africa. All fall within the responsibilities of the Project Coordinator – MRV, integrity, equity and advocacy.

To overcome the shortcomings linked to limited availability of validation and certification outlets on the continent (mainly linked to insufficient local verification/validation capacity, high cost and long lead times, as well as presence of methodologies not always relevant for Africa), SEforALL, in collaboration with its ACMI partners, is working to build additional capacity and facilitation of monitoring, reporting, validation and verification activities across jurisdictions.

To further strengthen demand for high-quality and integrity African carbon credit, SEforALL is leading advocacy campaigns as well as looking at options to open up access to compliance markets (e.g., such as those in the EU, China, California).

To better capture specific decarbonization opportunities on the continent, SEforALL is seeking to develop new types of projects across multiple sectors (e.g., renewable energy, waste management, engineered carbon dioxide removals, transport, agriculture and soil sequestration, livestock, blue carbon), along with methodologies that are better adapted to the local context.

Lastly, to strengthen the reputation and integrity of certain African credit types, SEforALL, in collaboration with its ACMI parterns, is championship for the complete integrity of African carbon markets, including alignment to global climate action, supply and demand integrity and equity for local players and communities.

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.

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Context of the Africa Carbon Markets Initiative (ACMI)

The ACMI is a continent-wide effort launched at COP27 that aims to build the foundations for a thriving voluntary carbon market (VCM) ecosystem in Africa by 2030. To do so, a number of challenges must be overcome, including: fragmented projects and carbon generating assets, limited and fragmented developers on the ground, and a complex and uncertain regulatory landscape. Meanwhile, intermediation and demand are being held back by concerns about the integrity of some carbon credits and fair distribution of value. To build vibrant and robust voluntary carbon markets (VCMs) in Africa, ACMI includes 4 core objectives:

• Grow African carbon credits retirements ~19-fold from ~16 MtCO2e retired in 2020 to ~300 MtCO2e per annum by 2030 and up to 1.5-2.5 GtCO2e by 2050
• Create or support 30 million jobs by 2030 and more than 100 million jobs by 2050 through carbon projects development, execution, certification, and monitoring
• Raise the quality and integrity of African credits to mobilize up to US$6 billion by 2030 and more than US$100 billion per annum by 2050
• Ensure equitable and transparent distribution of carbon credit revenue, with a significant portion of revenue going to local communities

To achieve these objectives, ACMI has laid out a roadmap of 13 Action Programmes across the VCM value chain – spanning supply, intermediation and financing, and demand. Action Programme 1 looks specifically at Country carbon market activation plan.

A tactical starting point for any country seeking to build a carbon ecosystem is to draw up a plan for developing the market. In this context, the challenges are mainly related to complex or unfavourable regulatory landscape (e.g., related to land rights/ concessions, ownership of credits, Article 6, and split between nationally determined contributions vs. voluntary contributions). SEforALL is looking to overcome the existing barriers by supporting governments in developing country voluntary carbon market activation plans that stimulate the carbon credit ecosystem, build local capacity and clarify regulation (e.g., land tenure). Plans would set a country-level ambition, integrate VCMs into broader climate plans, align relevant governance structures, clarify regulation, develop demand incentives, and support the local market ecosystem. These will be linked to the work that SEforALL does in the area of energy transition, particularly the formulation and implementation of the Energy Transition and Investment Plans (ETIPs).

Purpose/Objective of the Role

The main objectives of the role include:

• Responsible for collaborating closely with member of governments, and other stakeholders, in drafting strategies and plans for the launch and activation of voluntary carbon markets, drafting frameworks and supporting in the identification of policies activating the plans.
• Integration of the carbon markets activation plans with the Energy Transition and Investment Plans (ETIPs), where appropriate.

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.
• Support the engagement with Senior Government decision makers on issues of strategy and policy around energy transition, carbon markets and climate finance, providing expert inputs to country teams (e.g., leading workshops, facilitating meetings with local and international experts)
• Develop frameworks, guides, and other communication documents which effectively detail the components and steps involved in establishing carbon market activation plans, and the links of those plans to energy transition in the country.
• Monitor progresses on engaged countries, ensuring internal and external targets are met; if issues arise, identify solutions and mitigation actions
• Identify new priority countries to be engaged, and prepare relevant engagement collateral
• Continue engaging with countries that have expressed interest, through e.g., regional webinars, as a mode of interim support before full support is secured to launch a country activation plan
• Size funding need for each country and work in collaboration with fundraising manager to identify funding opportunities; support proposal development and reach out to donors on selective opportunities
• Engage with relevant external stakeholders such as other not-for-profit organizations, donors, media, suppliers, buyers, and agencies, in advocating for carbon markets in Africa
• Represent SEforALL in external conversations, forums, and partnerships
• Provide ongoing support to resolve strategic questions as they emerge during Action Programme implementation
• Supporting 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
• At least five years of experience in project management, preferably in the field of climate change or environmental management
• Strong knowledge of the carbon market industry, including international carbon market frameworks, and market-based mechanisms for climate change mitigation
• Experience in emerging markets and developing countries, with demonstrated expertise working with energy development, political and social issues across Africa
• Experience in government advisory; experience with engagement at senior levels of government in Africa is a plus
• Experience in / knowledge of voluntary carbon markets, especially in Africa
• Experience in working with ambiguity and navigating complex environments
• Extensive (international) network and up-to-date knowledge about carbon markets, inclusive of strategies for further scaling, funding and social development
• 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.

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Context and Objectives of the Assignment

SEforALL, as a partner of UN-Energy and in support of the CEO / SRSG in her role as Co-Chair of UN-Energy, leads and implements programmes and activities to facilitate engagement with the private sector and other partners to drive the achievement of SDG7 and energy transitions as critical inputs to global development and climate change.

SEforALL played a key role in convening the UN High-Level Dialogue on Energy (HLDE), during the leaders week of the UN General Assembly in September 2021. It was the first high-level summit on energy mandated by the General Assembly since 1981. SEforALL’s CEO / SRSG serves as the HLDE Co-Chair and as High-Level Champion. A key outcome of the HLDE was new ambitious commitments and actions that will help address energy poverty while working towards decarbonization, captured in voluntary and trackable Energy Compacts.  So far, over 200 Energy Compacts from a range of stakeholders were submitted.

SEforALL has spearheaded the Energy Compact process, and will now make moves toward outreach to secure more Compacts and establishing a process for tracking the commitments and actions to 2030. In addition, SEforALL is moving forward with partners from companies, governments, and other stakeholders to join the Compact process in the lead up to and beyond November’s COP28 Climate Conference to commit to advancing policies, procurement practices, tools, and data towards the world’s global energy goals.

The objective of this Results Offer is to accelerate UN-Energy-led efforts to support UN member states to achieve the 2030 goals and drive new commitments from countries and companies to the actions necessary to achieve SDG7 and energy transitions.

Duties and Accountabilities 

The Intern’s responsibilities will include, but will not be limited to: 

• Provide technical support for the Energy Compact annual monitoring and reporting work, including maintaining and updating survey forms, Energy Compact aggregation tracker and more; 
• Reviews, verifies, and reconciles data and reports to ensure accuracy and conformity; 
• Contribute towards the Energy Compact Annual report 2023 via data analysis, key insights, cross-linking with ongoing energy price crisis etc.
• Support outreach to the Energy Compact Network for monitoring progress ;
• Assist with the planning and day-to-day coordination of UN-Energy activities;
• Thematic research on SDG7 including tracking new research and emerging trends; 
• Identify and execute opportunities to improve operational efficiency; 
• Perform other duties as assigned. 

Specific Competencies for the Role

• Bachelor’s degree and/or currently enrolled in a Master’s degree in a field such as data science, economics, engineering, finance, energy, statistics or other relevant fields
• Proficiency in managing, analyzing and visualizing data
• Skilled in using intermediary-level MS Excel functions including Pivot and Lookup
• Fundamental understanding of energy sector and publicly available energy datasets
• Analytical skills and ability to produce high-quality documentation in English.
• Ability to work with others to create, synthesize and/ or share relevant knowledge and to stimulate its use.
• Outstanding oral and written communication skills as well as time management skills, including the ability to plan and prioritize work duties and work competently under pressure and tight deadlines.
• Experience communicating with various stakeholders such as government, businesses, civil society groups and international organizations on matters related to sustainable energy;
• Knowledge of Power BI and Survey Monkey
• Knowledge of cloud server environment (e.g. Microsoft Azure) and data processing languages (SQL, Python, R etc.).

Salary information: SEforALL interns are provided with a stipend constituted as a daily fee. The amount of the intern’s fee is fixed, and it depends on the duty station. This is meant to provide additional financial support to interns, who remain fully responsible for bearing all their costs related to travel, insurance, accommodation, and living expenses connected to their internship.

go to method of application »

Context of the Africa Carbon Markets Initiative (ACMI)

The ACMI is a continent-wide effort launched at COP27 that aims to build the foundations for a thriving voluntary carbon market (VCM) ecosystem in Africa by 2030. To do so, a number of challenges must be overcome, including: fragmented projects and carbon generating assets, limited and fragmented developers on the ground, and a complex and uncertain regulatory landscape. Meanwhile, intermediation and demand are being held back by concerns about the integrity of some carbon credits and fair distribution of value. To build vibrant and robust voluntary carbon markets (VCMs) in Africa, ACMI includes 4 core objectives:

• Grow African carbon credits retirements ~19-fold from ~16 MtCO2e retired in 2020 to ~300 MtCO2e per annum by 2030 and up to 1.5-2.5 GtCO2e by 2050
• Create or support 30 million jobs by 2030 and more than 100 million jobs by 2050 through carbon projects development, execution, certification, and monitoring
• Raise the quality and integrity of African credits to mobilize up to US$6 billion by 2030 and more than US$100 billion per annum by 2050
• Ensure equitable and transparent distribution of carbon credit revenue, with a significant portion of revenue going to local communities

To achieve these objectives, ACMI has laid out a roadmap of 13 Action Programmes across the VCM value chain – spanning supply, intermediation and financing, and demand. Action Programmes 2 and 3 looks specifically at supporting project developers and smallholder farmers generating micro carbon credits to scale.

A key constraint to carbon markets in Africa is related to the limited number of project developers operating on the continent and on the low existing capacity (gaps in carbon market expertise, implementation capabilities, local expertise and core business capabilities). Economic viability for many projects is low due to insufficient carbon credit revenues or high opportunity costs, and fragmented ownership of / access to credit generating assets is a major obstacle. Moreover, project developers have difficulties in accessing and benefitting from carbon markets, as high upfront certification costs to create carbon credits and project monitoring costs require scale and access to financing/ buyers

SEforALL, in collaboration with ACMI partners, is looking to overcome the existing barriers by concretely supporting project developers to scale via a number of initiatives, including the set-up of a dedicated Accelerator program, devising mobilizing initiatives (e.g., via webinars and networking events), reinforcing targeted on-the-ground technical assistance and establishing a technical facilitation programme focused on reducing barriers to entry for carbon credit certification. This is above and beyond efforts to scale up financing and catalyze project scale-up by way of effective de-risking instruments.

Purpose/Objective of the role

• Responsible for leading the delivery of the ACMI Accelerator Program, in collaboration with ACMI partners, as well as coordinating multiple stakeholder engagement initiatives, including dedicated webinars, events and roadshows.
• Responsible for leading the SEforALL efforts in the scale up of programmes for carbon credits generation, including identifying and working with partners across standards bodies, financial institutions, and general organizations in developing frameworks and solutions to directly support project developers across the continent.

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.
• Plan and deliver project developer engagement initiatives, including: running the dedicated project developers’ chat/ platform; organizing workshops centred around a key theme, with expert participation; organizing and delivering dedicated networking events and roadshows 
• Coordinate Accelerator partners, including Accelerator, external consultancies, and experts, in delivering programs to different project developer categories
• Define and oversee Accelerator activities, including but not limited to: reviewing selection criteria and selection process, inviting experts, ensuring correct classes cadence and events timeline, allocating participants to the right kinds of expert support, planning for pitch day
• Develop and maintain a network of project developers, verification bodies (VVBs) and standard bodies (e.g., Gold Standard and Verra’s VCS) to invite as delivery partner in the accelerator program as well as thought partners to identify adapted methodologies to certify carbon credit projects
• Create a continent-wide coalition to support carbon credit project developers through advocacy to financers and regulators, awareness raising, knowledge sharing and technical support for project development, and facilitation of partnerships
• Identify and work with financial institutions to develop and scale financial solutions
• Represent SEforALL in external conversations, forums, and partnerships
• 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
• At least five years of experience in project management, preferably in the field of climate change or environmental management.
• Strong knowledge of the carbon market industry, including international carbon market frameworks, and market-based mechanisms for climate change mitigation.
• Experience in / knowledge of voluntary carbon markets, especially if in Africa.
• Experience in project development topics (e.g., diesel displacement, solar energy, agriculture, REDD+, forest restoration, clean cooking) and knowledge of project development (including all steps of the carbon credit value chain) · Knowledge of international carbon standards – e.g., Verified Carbon Standard (VCS), Gold Standard, Climate Action Reserve (CAR), American Carbon Registry (ACR), Plan Vivo – and the most common carbon methodologies.
• Ability to coordinate multiple stakeholders in the context of project developers and accelerators.
• 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.