17-Oct-2024

Madagascar

Full-Time

GLOBAL CONSERVATION

Job Description

Position: Nature-based Solutions Technical Advisor
Reports to: Country Director, WCS Madagascar
Position Managed: The National REDD+ and Government Liaison Advisor.
Location: Antananarivo, Madagascar,
Country Program/Sector: Madagascar
Scope: Country
Position Type: Full-time
Coordinates with: The Regional Nature-based Solutions, Advisor; and Senior WCS Madagascar staff including the MaMaBay Landscape Director, Social Safeguards Advisor, and Conservation Director.

Job purpose

The Nature-based Solutions Advisor will bring carbon project expertise to the Madagascar program, complementing the existing teams dedicated to project implementation. They will lead the validation of a new baseline for Makira REDD+, and the verification of the pre-jurisdictional program period under Verra’s VCS and CCB Standards. They will maintain a clear focus on this goal, finding efficiencies to expedite the completion of the documentation and technical processes to a high standard. The Nature-based Solutions Advisor will also support the development and validation of partner VCS/CCBS REDD+ projects elsewhere in Madagascar.

While undergoing the processes required for the initial validation and verification, the Advisor will put foundational systems and processes in place to ensure that future verifications are streamlined and efficient. Following the verification of credits, they will support the sale of credits by engaging with marketing partners and potential buyers.

The Nature-based Solutions Advisor will collaborate with and be supported by a range of internal and external stakeholders, including the global and regional WCS REDD+ team; landscape-based field teams and managers; technical support teams (e.g. GIS/remote sensing team); senior WCS Madagascar management team; local to national government authorities; Validation and Verification Bodies (VVBs) and the Verra Secretariat; project investors and credit buyers.

The Nature-based Solutions Advisor will be part of an established and expanding team of REDD+ specialists in WCS, as well as part of a dynamic and committed WCS Madagascar team. This position comes at an exciting time for the WCS Makira REDD+ project, and for REDD+ in Madagascar in general, with the opportunity to bring significant benefits to local communities and to support the conservation of some of the world’s most important and threatened biodiversity.

The Nature-based Solutions Advisor will bring carbon project expertise to the Madagascar program, complementing the existing teams dedicated to project implementation. They will lead the validation of a new baseline for Makira REDD+, and the verification of the pre-jurisdictional program period under Verra’s VCS and CCB Standards. They will maintain a clear focus on this goal, finding efficiencies to expedite the completion of the documentation and technical processes to a high standard. The Nature-based Solutions Advisor will also support the development and validation of partner VCS/CCBS REDD+ projects elsewhere in Madagascar. Funding for both these processes has already been secured, allowing focus on core responsibilities.

Major Responsibilities

Project Development and Monitoring

• Lead the collation of and development of all data and information required to successfully achieve project validation and verification according to the requirements of the VCS and CCB Standards. Ensuring data collection and analysis represent the most up-to-date scientific findings and best-practice approaches.

• Lead the development of an updated Project Description and Monitoring Report, as well as additional elements including non-permanence risk reporting.

• Act as the lead on project validation and verification audits, including engaging with VVBs and responding to VVB findings.

• Support WCS Madagascar Social Safeguards Advisor to ensure community benefits are delivered and safeguards adhered to as stipulated in project documents and according to safeguard requirements.

• Work with landscape teams to ensure alignment of project activities and interventions with CCBS safeguard requirements and VCS requirements.

• Develop standard procedures for data collection and reporting to facilitate project monitoring and reporting across all project interventions.

• Ensure supported REDD+ projects successfully nest within the national REDD+ jurisdictional system according to national requirements.

Policy Engagement

• In collaboration with the REDD+ and Government Liaison Advisor, engage in national REDD+ processes and establish WCS as a part of REDD+ policy and technical excellence.

• In collaboration with the REDD+ and Government Liaison Advisor, provide policy and technical advisory support to MEDD/BNCC REDD+ as requested.

• In collaboration with the REDD+ and Government Liaison Advisor, support the development of the national REDD+ jurisdictional system to maximize the potential value of REDD+ projects.

Project Marketing and Funding

• Support the development of project marketing and promotional materials for use by WCS and external REDD+ marketing firms.

• Act as principal liaison for REDD+ project information requests from WCS’ external REDD+ marketing firm, as well as existing and potential credit buyers.

• Lead or contribute to client-specific reporting (as appropriate)

• Seek out and develop grant funding proposals supporting project outcomes.

Capacity Building

• Collaborate with and train, where necessary, landscape field teams to collect necessary project data/information and monitor key project indicators.

• Establish competencies of landscape teams to lead the ongoing monitoring of REDD+ project achievements.

Qualification Requirements

Minimum Requirements and Job Skills:

• Master’s degree in forestry, environmental science, geography, conservation or a related field.

• Prior experience and familiarity with the design and implementation of large, landscape-level forest conservation and rural development projects.

• 4+ years’ experience in the assessment, development and implementation of forestry and land-use projects, preferably for the carbon markets under the VCS and CCBS.

• Strong analytical and technical writing skills; extreme attention to detail.

• Professional experience in project management and project reporting.

• Demonstrated professional-level fluency in English is required, and in French is highlighted as desired.

• Ability to travel to project sites, as required, for extended periods.

Preferred

• Prior experience with developing, validating and verifying AFOLU projects under the VCS and CCBS.

• Experience in proposal development and grant reporting.

• Demonstrated GIS and Remote Sensing competencies.

To successfully satisfy the requirements of this position, you should:

• Have good personal organizational and priority-setting skills, with the ability to work effectively under time pressure and manage multiple priorities.

• Be capable of working independently as well as being an effective team player, with initiative and creativity.

• Have a demonstrated ability to coordinate multiple stakeholders in a culturally diverse setting and build project alliances.

• Value information sharing and continuous improvement in a cooperative atmosphere of constructive evaluation and learning.

Compensation: Salary and benefits

Internationally competitive salary with a comprehensive expatriate package including Cigna medical insurance for employees and dependents, cost of living allowance, housing allowance, relocation reimbursement, child education reimbursement, retirement benefits, and annual home leave.

How to apply
Interested candidates, who meet the above qualifications, skills, and experience, should apply through the application tab by January 31st, 2025.

Please send a detailed application/cover letter and a detailed CV. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interviews.

WCS is an equal opportunity employer, and the organization complies with all employment and labour laws and regulations that prohibit discrimination in hiring and ensures that candidates from all backgrounds are fairly and consistently considered during the recruitment process. We are dedicated to hiring and engaging a diverse workforce. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment and look for future team members who share that same value. The organization provides equal employment opportunities for all qualified candidates. The organization does not discriminate for employment based on gender, race/ethnicity, religion, colour, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, caste, genetic information or any other covered status or characteristic protected by laws and regulations/and similar categories.
It is everyone’s responsibility to ensure that we do not tolerate discrimination or harassment based upon a person’s membership in one of these protected categories in areas such as recruitment, selection, job assignment, supervision, training, promotions, job grading, transfers, termination, compensation, benefits, educational opportunities, WCS sponsored recreational activities and facilities. The organization complies with the spirit and intent of relevant local laws and WCS’s employment policies.

#LI-TA1

Salary Range

Internationally competitive salary with a comprehensive expatriate package including Cigna medical insurance for employees and dependents, cost of living allowance, housing allowance, relocation reimbursement, child education reimbursement, retirement ben