Regional Manager Southern Africa

Terms of Reference – Regional Manager Southern Africa

Background:

The Gold Standard Foundation (GSF) is a non-profit organisation that operates a certification scheme for premium carbon credits. The Gold Standard scheme certifies the highest quality carbon offset projects in the voluntary and compliance carbon markets. GSF projects employ renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies that are rigorously measured, monitored and verified. All Gold Standard projects demonstrate real and permanent GHG reductions and encourage local sustainable development.

With demand for Gold Standard projects exceeding supply, there is a need to stimulate rapid growth of the Gold Standard pipeline to harvest the opportunity of delivering the highest quality carbon credits to a rapidly growing carbon market willing to make the extra step associated with The Gold Standard.

Previous capacity building activities have shown that project developers require tailored assistance and local support to bring a project from conception to credit issuance. The Regional Manager Southern Africa will directly address this need while building local knowledge and empowering project developers to deliver premium projects to the market. This position offers a rare and powerful opportunity to make a direct impact on climate change mitigation while stimulating local economies.

Job Description:

The Regional Manager Southern Africa will be part of the regional manager network, which is part of the broader certification team responsible for reviewing and assessing Gold Standard projects. Furthermore, the Regional Manager Southern Africa will be responsible for Gold Standard capacity building and marketing activities within his/her region. The Regional Manager Southern Africa reports to the Director of Regions.

The Regional Manager Southern Africa will also conduct activities in the context of a new Gold Standard programme recently funded by the German Ministry of Environment, aimed at lowering the entry barriers and scaling-up carbon activities in under-represented regions, such as sub-Saharan Africa. For this purpose, he/she will take part in the further development of the Gold Standard rules and procedures, and the review and development of new Gold Standard methodologies for the voluntary market. This will include the participation to the activities performed by the thematic Working Groups on technical issues.

Duty Station:

In a member state of the South Africa Development Community (SADC), and preferably South Africa.

Key Responsibilities:

Detailed technical reviews of projects that are submitted to the Gold Standard for certification (pre-feasibility assessments, internal validations/ verifications, registration reviews, and issuance reviews), not only from within the region but also from other regions (covers approx. 50% of duties).
Participation in internal working groups focused on various technical topics that bring together both the Regions team and the Technical team.
Support of project activities: actor identification, screening of project activities, handholding project participants in the application of the Gold Standard Rules and Procedures during the project cycle.
Acting as local “eyes and ears” for the Gold Standard in validation, verification and audit processes; providing local information and support to Designated Operational Entities (DOEs).
Identification, design and implementation of capacity building programmes/ workshops for project developers, different industry sectors, NGOs, Designated National Authorities (DNAs), DOEs, aid agencies, multilateral organizations, government institutions, etc as per the needs of the region and in line with the agreed strategy with the Director of Regions.
Education of stakeholders for efficient and effective stakeholder participation; participation in stakeholder consultations; provision of on-the-ground feedback for the certification process.
Assistance in the continuous improvement of the Gold Standard rules and procedures.
Supporting the Technical Director in preparing and/ or reviewing new Gold Standard VER methodologies that are of relevance to the region.
Supporting the Director of Regions and Technical Director in preparing reports for major donors that are relevant to the region.

Requirements:

University degree in the field of engineering, sciences or related discipline, or equivalent professional experience.
Prior experience with the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), other carbon markets, and sustainable development (e.g. DOE, carbon consultancy).
Strong analytical skills and attention to detail.
The Regional Manager must be a national/ citizen of a country within the region. Having a work permit for the relevant country coupled with strong local knowledge of the region is also acceptable.
Interest in climate change and a passion for environmental issues.
Excellent English language skills and at least one additional language relevant in the region of employment. Working knowledge of French is desirable.
Willingness to travel within the region - the position is associated with significant travel.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
Highly self-motivated and able to work independently, but also as part of an international team.

What we can offer you:

An exciting job in a rapidly growing carbon market; competitive salary; multi-cultural work environment; real growth prospects; international work in a fun, motivated and diverse team.

To apply:

Please send your electronic application; including a motivation letter, CV, the earliest start date, and salary expectation to:

Nahla Sabet
Director of Regions
nahla(at)cdmgoldstandard.org

Starting date for the position is as soon as possible. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted