Carbon Policy Officer

INTRODUCTION TO GGGI

The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) is a treaty-based international, inter-governmental organization dedicated to supporting and promoting strong, inclusive and sustainable economic growth in developing countries and emerging economies. To learn more please visit about GGGI web page. 

POSITION SUMMARY

The Carbon Policy Officer will be based in Vientiane, Lao PDR and will lead the implementation of key policy products including Carbon Market Strategy and recommendations for incorporation of Article 6 requirements in the updated National Determined Contribution under the above-mentioned carbon program with Government of Lao PDR. The successful candidate will report to the Senior Officer, Climate and Carbon, who leads GGGI Lao PDR’s Climate Unit, and will work closely with GGGI’s Carbon Pricing Unit, in Seoul, South Korea.

The Carbon Policy Officer will be the recognized focal point for carbon policy activities within GGGI Lao PDR and will have overall responsibility for timely and high-quality policy product delivery. The position-holder will provide day-to-day technical and strategic guidance and management, as well as liaise externally to ensure impactful delivery of policy and project outputs. The Carbon Policy Officer will be primarily responsible for delivering key outputs related to strengthening policy, institutions and systems for sustainable access to international carbon markets by Lao PDR.

Experience developing climate and/or carbon finance strategies and policy, and experience working on developing and/or implementing carbon projects under voluntary market, CDM, result-based payment or others in international carbon markets is strongly preferable, as the position-holder will be required to quickly absorb and apply sufficient technical knowledge on Article 6 concepts, requirements, frameworks and approaches to the local context in Lao PDR

PURPOSE

• Lead the implementation of carbon policy outputs under the overall management of the Senior Officer, Climate and Carbon, and guided by the GGGI Carbon Pricing Unit (based in Seoul), and in close coordination with relevant government and private sector project stakeholders.
• Provide high-quality project management to the project, and ensure effective, timely and efficient delivery of project results and activities in the field.
• Provide high-quality technical inputs and advisory on issues related to Article 6, carbon markets, and emissions reduction trading in support of the above-mentioned program in Lao PDR and GGGI’s Lao PDR portfolio and strategic priorities more generally.

ENGAGEMENT

• Develop and foster strong relationships with key government stakeholders, in particular the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and Ministry of Energy and Mines.
• Work closely with government partners, development partners, and private sector in implementing project activities, recognizing the importance of government buy-in and ownership.
• Coordinate with other organizations supporting engagement with international carbon markets in Lao PDR, and ensure visibility of GGGI and the Government of Australia on associated carbon engagements.
• Maintain active flexibility through professional relations with key stakeholders to capture and integrate their changing needs and manage expectations.

DELIVERY

• Deliver high quality project (policy) outputs on time and within budget that meet program objectives, donor requirements and government requirements.
• Support the preparation of workplans, budgets, annual reports, and other project management documents as relevant under the supervision of the Project Manager.
• Quickly absorb and apply sufficient technical knowledge on Article 6 concepts, requirements, frameworks and approaches.
• Ensure quality monitoring and evaluation, timely submission of donor reports and deliverables, regularly evaluate project results, and guide project implementation to achieve maximum impact.
• Assess effectiveness of program activities and recommend improvements to meet key milestones for the program.
• Ensure that experiences and best practices are documented and shared within GGGI more widely.
• Support planning and delivery of capacity building events that introduce key carbon market and Article 6 concepts and options to key government and other stakeholders.
• Lead the design of key policy and governance frameworks for carbon markets in Lao PDR that incorporate Article 6 requirements and are relevant to the Lao PDR institutional context, including the development of a national carbon markets decree, carbon markets strategy, carbon project management guidelines and carbon project registry.
• Support and contribute to the preparation of Mitigation Activity Idea Notes and Mitigation Activity Design Documents and other technical carbon project documentation, especially from a policy and regulatory perspective.
• Support the planning and facilitation of key project workshops and meetings with key stakeholders in Lao PDR.
• Plan and organize the work of consultants under the project to ensure high quality and timely delivery of the outputs.

REQUIREMENTS
QUALIFICATIONS

• Advanced degree (master’s degree) in economics, business administration, finance, environmental engineering or other relevant subject
• 5 years experience in project development, development finance, program management or other relevant fields.
• Minimum 2 years of professional experience working and living outside of home country.
• Experience developing and delivering policy products, and utilizing consultations, validation meetings and workshops.
• Understanding of and experience in international carbon finance, the Clean Development Mechanism, and/or Article 6 will be an advantage.
• Experience in day-to-day engagement with government ministries and agencies, ideally in developing countries, with be an advantage.
• Experience working in developing countries, with experience in Lao PDR or Southeast Asia an advantage.
• An excellent command of spoken and written English.

FUNCTIONAL

• Strategic thinker and solutions-oriented, with good ability to multitask and work in a matrix environment.
• Able to review, synthesize information and produce high quality reports.
• Able to establish priorities in a time-sensitive environment and meet deadlines with strong attention to detail.
• Able to absorb and understand technical information and relay it to others.
• Detail-oriented striving for quality and consistency in all outputs and communications.
• Output-oriented, demonstrating creativity, innovation and an entrepreneurial drive.
• Problem solver, able to find and implement solutions.
• Highly organized and able to effectively and efficiently multi-task and prioritize.
• Excellent communication (both written and oral) and facilitation skills.
• Comfortable working both in a team and independently.

CORPORATE 

• Understand and actively support GGGI’s mission, vision and values.
• Promote an organizational culture of trust, transparency, respect and partnership.
• Excel at problem solving, ask questions and seek support when needed, share easily information and knowledge with others both internally as externally.
• Manage emotions and stress positively, build rapport and resolves conflict easily.
• Strong ability to work independently and/or remotely, while maintaining productivity.
• Be able to lead and manage a project independently, while knowing when to seek advice and liaise closely with the Carbon Pricing Unit.

WORKING CONDITIONS

The Carbon Policy Officer is an X8 grade level in GGGI’s international salary scale, details of which can be found in the GGGI Staff Rules on GGGI’s website. In addition, GGGI provides 27 days of annual leave, flexible work arrangements and contribution towards private health insurance that covers dental and vision. The initial appointment is for 24 months, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and budget availability. GGGI Lao PDR has a Host Country Agreement (HCA) in place with the Government of Lao PDR and therefore international candidates will be covered by the Privileges and Immunities under the HCA. GGGI is committed to providing a work environment that is sufficiently flexible to accommodate diverse life-cycle challenges and assist Staff members to achieve a better balance between work commitments and personal and family commitments, including repercussions of post-COVID conditions, thus ensuring high performance, long-term productivity and well-being of Staff members.

For more information on GGGI’s terms and conditions (allowances, health care, education etc) please familiarize yourself with GGGI’s Rules and Regulations that can be found here: https://gggi.org/policy-documents/.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

The GGGI Lao PDR program has been expanding rapidly in the areas of climate change, green cities and green investment mobilization. Since 2018, GGGI has been implementing a range of Readiness and Preparatory Support Program projects focused on building national capacity and policy for green finance, capacity building, climate modelling, energy efficiency, electric mobility and climate policy. GGGI has also undertaken a range of activities and projects to support Lao PDR’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), including in cooperation with the NDC Partnership. In addition, GGGI Lao PDR is working with a range of other partners to engage and implement climate solutions in Lao PDR. The country office has workspaces in the Ministry of Planning and Investment, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the Ministry of Public Works and Transport at central level, as well as the Vientiane Capital and Champassak Province governments.

GGGI Lao PDR’s Climate Unit leads implementation of projects and outcomes related to climate policy, green growth planning, climate action and access to international carbon markets at a national level. Responding to requests from the Government of Lao PDR, with the support of the Government of Australia, GGGI will provide technical assistance to the Government of Lao PDR for the development of the country’s access to international carbon markets. This will involve the delivery of a blend of policy, investment, project development, and capacity building activities over a three-year period (2023-2026), in close coordination with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, as well as other line ministries, and other stakeholders active on Lao PDR’s engagement with international carbon markets. To support the design and execution of key policy products under this project, GGGI is seeking a Carbon Policy Officer