Carbon and Climate Specialist, USAID/Thailand PAGI

Project Background

The USAID/Regional Development Mission for Asia (RDMA) Partnerships for Green Investment (PAGI) Activity will accelerate the transition in the land use sector across Southeast Asia to greater emissions reductions, climate resilience, biodiversity protection, inclusiveness, and benefit sharing. The Activity will advance systemic change in agricultural, forestry, and other land use (AFOLU) systems in the region to reduce carbon emissions at meaningful scale through inclusive and sustainable approaches, enabling the regional transition to net zero climate-resilient economies. The three objectives of PAGI are to: 1) increase sustainable and scalable investments in low emission land use, biodiversity conservation and climate resilience in AFOLU supply chains; 2) adopt and/or implement credible environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards for low emission, biodiversity conservation, and resilient investments; and 3) enhance inclusive and equitable benefit sharing to local communities and smallholders. Partner countries include Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Position Purpose

The Carbon and Climate Specialist will serve as an integral member of PAGI’s investment team and will provide science-based technical expertise in support of identifying and assessing/quantifying the climate and environmental impacts of PAGI-supported investments. The Specialist will work with the Senior Green Finance Advisor and other staff to screen and help develop high impact partnership opportunities with a focus on the environmental outcomes, climate mitigation and adaptation, and biodiversity conservation impacts. She/he will support a varied portfolio of activities, including project origination and screening, due diligence, conducting quantitative and qualitative research and analyses, presenting analytical results using digital tools and visuals, as well as collaboration with relevant colleagues and partners.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

• Support the Senior Green Finance Advisor and other team members in project origination and screening through conducting assessments of GHG emissions reduction, carbon removals/sequestration, and biodiversity conservation potential of investment projects.
• Provide technical leadership and advice on appropriate AFOLU decarbonization strategies, supply chain approaches, and landscape management to enhance investment and project outcomes.
• Help identify partner technical assistance needs to align supply chain activities in service of meeting net-zero commitments and PAGI objectives.
• Conduct research on partner countries’ and companies’ climate and biodiversity commitments and priorities.
• Review technical studies provided by partners and consultants, provide feedback, and conduct analyses to verify and/or triangulate results.
• Conduct research and technical assessments and prepare presentations for internal and external audiences.
• Stay up to date on emerging standards, methodologies, tools, and technologies.
• Provide training on carbon and greenhouse gas inventory assessment to PAGI staff, project stakeholders, and others.
• Analyze and disseminate best practices and lessons learned from target investments.
• Maintain data and analyses related to GHG emissions estimates and coordinate with the MEL Director to ensure that climate and biodiversity metrics of PAGI supported investments are captured in project monitoring and reporting.
• Contribute to annual workplan development, quarterly progress reports and other deliverables as required.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in forestry, agriculture, climate science, greenhouse gas accounting, climate mitigation and/or adaptation, biodiversity conservation, or related field.
• A minimum of 5 years of work experience involving nature-based solutions, climate mitigation and adaptation, voluntary carbon projects, and/or biodiversity conservation.
• Experience in developing countries is required, ideally having familiarity with land use, climate, and conservation issues in SE Asia.
• Familiarity with AFOLU decarbonization strategies, supply chain and landscape management.
• Strong technical, research, and data analysis skills.
• Familiarity with tools and methodologies related to and experience conducting and applying greenhouse gas accounting (knowledge of Scope 3 a plus), carbon assessments, climate strategies, environmental monitoring, and related analyses; knowledge of GIS and/or similar tools a plus.
• Ability to communicate complex technical concepts and data in easy-to-understand means.
• Experience working with USAID and/or other international donors preferred.
• Ability to work in a multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary team.
• Strong writing, analysis, and presentation skills in English.
• Ability to travel within the Southeast Asia region; position may require some evening and weekend hours.