South Pole is an energetic, global company offering comprehensive sustainability solutions and services. With offices spanning all continents across the globe, we strive to create a sustainable society and economy that positively impacts our climate, ecosystems and developing communities. With our solutions, we inspire and enable our customers to create value from sustainability-related activities.

Job Summary

As part of the project development team within the Climate Projects business line, the Senior Specialist, will primarily focus on Nature-based emission reduction projects along with ST projects being developed in the South Asia region.

This role will majorly focus on the technical scope of Nature-based Solution (NbS) projects. You will support the coordination and work collaboratively with internal teams and external stakeholders such as project participants, external auditor, government agencies as well as NGO to ensure the efficient and effective delivery of carbon emission reductions/ removals.

In addition, you will assist in the auditing process for the validation and verification of the climate projects (majorly NBS) and participate in business rounds, technical sessions, site visits, and other relevant events. This also includes closely working with the Project Owners (PO) to identify threats to a project’s landscape, develop and design a long-term intervention plan and documents, and configure all the necessary preparation and work to get the project to a state of “registration and issuance of credits”.

The Project Senior Specialist will also focus on supporting initial assessment of new opportunities in the region (under VCM & Compliance market)– mainly associated with forestry such as afforestation/reforestation. In this exciting role, you will work closely with other teams within the Climate Projects’ business line, allowing you a global perspective on climate finance and sustainability. You will also be dealing directly with project owners and sustainability-related actors to help collaborate and develop emission reduction projects for South Pole’s global portfolio.

Main tasks and responsibilities

• Develop and ensure that projects’ development is in line with the company guidelines and technical requirements of relevant voluntary standards and methodologies in the NBS sector if needed for Article 6 as well.

• Assist the management of emission reduction projects, which includes drafting feasibility studies and project design documents, validation, monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) support under different carbon standards, among other local and international carbon schemes.

• Conduct GIS analysis as per the project development cycle requirements.

• Participate in the validation and verification processes.

• Assist the team members during the site visits and travel to project locations when necessary.

• Provide assistance on technical support for project sourcing activities.

• Collaborate with other teams within the South Pole globally, in regard to project development, especially the project development, finance and project implementation teams.

• Where needed, develop relationships and networking with conservation organizations that might possibly play a role in the implementation of the projects.

Essential skills and experience

• University Degree in environmental sciences, forestry or climate change and carbon mitigation-related fields, a Master’s degree is a plus

• Minimum 3-4 years of work experience in the field of climate change, preferably with experience in project management and development of CDM, VCS and Gold Standard projects

• Knowledge of carbon products and markets would be a strong plus, preferably including one or more of the following:

• project-based carbon standards, technologies and project development processes, e.g. GS or VCS

• Familiarity with carbon standards like, CDM, VERRA, GS4GG, CCER, etc.

• Ability to work on assignments that are diverse in nature, applying company policies, processes and procedures to resolve a variety of issues/problems.

• Ability to create written documents (proposals and deliverables) in English

• Have excellent communication skills, especially verbal and written skills in English

• Ability to manage targets and priorities and develop own goals

• Valid Indian passport to travel to different countries for project site visit.

Desired skills and experience

• Hands-on experience on carbon project development from initial project assessment to issuance

• Working experiences on Forestry based Carbon projects and community-based sustainable technologies projects will be a plus

• A good network with various market participants e.g. project owners, DOEs and government agencies will be a plus.

• Flexible and efficient.

What we offer:

At South Pole, we care about our employees as much as we care about the planet. South Pole is not just an employer, we are a Team. South Pole does not just offer people a job, we offer you a career. By joining our team, you will find strong purpose and deep meaning in everything you do. You will have the chance to make a real difference for our clients and for the planet, working alongside a passionate team of like-minded colleagues, while building your knowledge/skills and developing your career in a fun, dynamic, international and fast-growing organisation.

We’re a planet of 7.5 billion unique and different people. We all have a contribution to make; South Pole is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, national origin, marital status or disability. Our recruitment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit and business need.