In-country Carbon Markets Coordinator (Ghana)

Background about SEforALL

Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) is an international organization working with leaders in government, the private sector and civil society to drive further, faster action toward achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7), which calls for universal access to sustainable energy by 2030, and the Paris Agreement, which calls for reducing greenhouse gas emissions to limit climate warming to well below 2° Celsius (and striving for 1.5° Celsius).  

Achieving these goals will require a radical rethink of the way we produce, distribute and consume energy. SEforALL is at the heart of this foundational shift to ensure no one is left behind. Drawing on data and evidence, we identify a critical path to success in achieving SDG7.  

The 8th UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon launched the Sustainable Energy for All initiative in 2011. Now an independent organization, we maintain close links with the UN, including through a relationship agreement, partnerships with UN agencies and with SEforALL’s CEO acting as the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative (SRSG) for Sustainable Energy for All and Co-Chair of UN-Energy. These roles include advising the UN Secretary General and his staff on issues relating to sustainable energy and the implementation of SDG7 and supporting the coordination of sustainable energy issues in the United Nations system. 

The ambitions of SDG7 are extraordinary. Aiming to achieve them in the context of the Paris Agreement on climate change involves transformation at a scale never undertaken before. Swift action must be taken by leaders in governments, private sector companies, institutions, financiers, development banks, unions, communities, entrepreneurs and civil society. As we enter the final decade to achieve SDG7, SEforALL has strategically chosen to strengthen global agenda-setting while expanding its activities to an engagement model that prioritizes data-driven decision-making, partnerships with high-impact countries and implementation on the ground. SEforALL’s current three-year business plan outlines “results offers” that scope out our planned interventions and demonstrate to our funding partners the impact of their support.

Context and Objective of Assignment

The Africa Carbon Markets Initiative (ACMI) is a continent-wide effort launched at COP27 that aims to build the foundations for a thriving carbon market ecosystem in Africa by 2030. To do so, a number of challenges must be overcome, including fragmented projects and carbon-generating assets, limited and fragmented developers on the ground, and a complex and uncertain regulatory landscape. Meanwhile, intermediation and demand are being held back by concerns about the integrity of some carbon credits and the fair distribution of value. To build vibrant and robust carbon markets in Africa, ACMI targets 4 core objectives:

• Grow African carbon credits retirements ~19-fold from ~16 MtCO2e retired in 2020 to ~300 MtCO2e per annum by 2030 and up to 1.5-2.5 GtCO2e by 2050
• Create or support 30 million jobs by 2030 and more than 100 million jobs by 2050 through carbon projects development, execution, certification, and monitoring
• Raise the quality and integrity of African credits to mobilize up to US$6 billion per annum by 2030 and more than US$100 billion per annum by 2050
• Ensure equitable and transparent distribution of carbon credit revenue, with a significant portion of revenue going to local communities

Collectively, this will support the emergence of Africa as a dynamic hub of innovative solutions and cutting-edge technologies, significantly contributing to global climate efforts while empowering local communities. The aim is to ensure accessible carbon market participation for diverse stakeholders, including local communities and small enterprises, fostering sustainable and comprehensive economic growth.

To drive Africa’s Market potential, ACMI is looking to work with African Governments, key regulators and ecosystem stakeholders in developing and implementing Carbon Market Activation Plans (CMAP). The purpose of the CMAP is to identify strategies that will enable countries in Africa to effectively finance their climate goals and development by building the foundations and catalysts for a thriving Carbon Market ecosystem. As such, the ACMI CMAP’s aim to:

• Create an export industry that has the potential to contribute to all sectors of the economy.
• Make African countries investor-friendly destinations for carbon market investments. These have been hampered, in some instances, by counterproductive policies and jurisdictional frameworks.
• Support the government in catalyzing an efficient carbon market (Voluntary, Article 6 & Compliance) with high integrity and quality (and, as a result, high price).
• Amplify the role of the government in streamlining processes and creating transparency across the value chain with a proof of concept exhibited via successful pilot projects.
• Ensure that local communities benefit significantly from the development of this industry with clear benefit-sharing and revenue allocation frameworks.

Purpose/Objective of the Role

In the ambitious pursuit of sustainable energy for all, SEforALL’s sponsors transformative initiatives like the Africa Carbon Markets Initiative (ACMI), aimed at catalyzing the growth of carbon markets across Rwanda, Nigeria, and Ghana.

The objective of the In-country Carbon Markets Coordinator (Ghana) would be to serve as a linchpin in ACMI’s efforts, orchestrating stakeholder engagement, coordinating project activities, and driving strategic partnerships to advance the objectives of ACMI and ensure the successful implementation of the Carbon Market Activation Plan (CMAP) in Ghana. By fostering collaboration among government agencies, private sector entities, and civil society organizations, this role cultivates an enabling environment for carbon market development, promotes policy coherence, facilitates knowledge exchange to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy with the equitable distribution of benefits. With expertise in project management, stakeholder engagement, and policy advocacy, the In-country Carbon Markets Coordinator navigates complex regulatory landscapes, mitigates implementation challenges, and maximizes the impact of ACMI’s interventions, ultimately contributing to sustainable energy access, climate resilience and the leverage of carbon market competitive advantages in Africa.

Main Duties and Tasks of the Role

• Project Coordination and Management:
  • Lead and coordinate the implementation of the Carbon Market Activation Plan (CMAP) in Ghana, working closely with varied government agencies, regulators, project developers, and other stakeholders to ensure timely and effective execution of project activities. In addition, to clearly articulating roles and responsibilities of ecosystem components.
  • Work closely with donor partners, wider ACMI team and Ghana’s Carbon Market Office and Ministry of Environment to further Ghana’s participation in carbon markets
  • Manage project timelines, budgets, and resources, overseeing project planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting processes to achieve project objectives and deliverables.
  • Coordinate stakeholder engagement activities, including organizing meetings, workshops, and events, facilitating communication, and fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders to advance carbon market development in Ghana.
• Policy and Regulatory Support:
  • Provide technical assistance and advisory support to government agencies, policymakers, and regulators in Ghana to develop and strengthen carbon market policies, regulations, and institutional frameworks aligned with international best practices and standards.
  • Monitor policy and regulatory developments related to carbon markets, climate change, and sustainable development in Ghana, analyzing their implications and providing recommendations for policy advocacy and reform efforts.
• Capacity Building and Training:
  • Design and deliver or convene partnerships to design and deliver capacity-building initiatives, training programs, and knowledge-sharing activities to enhance the capacity of stakeholders in Ghana on carbon market development, project management, monitoring and evaluation, and other relevant technical areas.
  • Develop or support the development of training materials, guidelines, and toolkits tailored to the needs of different target audiences, including government officials, project developers, civil society organizations, and private sector actors.
• Market Research and Analysis:
  • Conduct or leverage available market research, analysis, and assessments to identify opportunities, trends, and challenges in the carbon market ecosystem in Ghana, including market demand, supply, pricing, and transaction mechanisms.
  • Analyze market dynamics, regulatory frameworks, and policy incentives to assess the market readiness and potential for carbon market investments, identifying priority sectors, technologies, and geographic areas for intervention.
• Monitoring, Reporting, and Evaluation:
  • Establish monitoring and evaluation (M&E) systems, indicators, and performance metrics to track the progress, outcomes, and impacts of carbon market projects and initiatives in Ghana, ensuring accountability, transparency, and learning.
  • Prepare regular progress reports, technical briefs, and knowledge products documenting project achievements, lessons learned, and best practices, disseminating findings to internal and external stakeholders.
• Partnership Development and Networking:
  • Cultivate strategic partnerships and collaborations with local and international organizations, donors, investors, and industry stakeholders to mobilize resources, leverage expertise, and foster synergies for carbon market development in Ghana.
  • Represent SEforALL and the Africa Carbon Markets Initiative (ACMI) in relevant forums, conferences, and events, advocating for policy reforms, investment opportunities, and knowledge sharing in the carbon market sector.

Support the ACMI Central Engine Room on other technical and operational matters

Specific Competencies for the Role:

• A Master’s degree in environmental science, economics, business administration, international development, or a related field.
• A minimum of 3-5 years of professional experience in carbon market development, climate finance, sustainable development, project management, or a related field, with a focus on sub-Saharan Africa.
  Strong technical expertise in carbon market mechanisms, emissions trading, climate policy, and regulatory frameworks, with a demonstrated track record of leading and implementing carbon market projects or initiatives.
• Experience working with government agencies, policymakers, regulators, private sector companies, civil society organizations, and international development partners on climate change mitigation, adaptation, and resilience efforts.
• Excellent analytical, strategic planning, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information, conduct data-driven analysis, and develop evidence-based recommendations for decision-making.
• Proven ability to communicate effectively and build consensus among diverse stakeholders, fostering inclusive dialogue, collaboration, and partnership development in multicultural and multi-stakeholder environments.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English is required; fluency in French or other UN languages is desirable.
  Strong IT skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), project management software, and data analysis tools.

Core Competencies

• Strategic Leadership and Vision: Demonstrates vision, strategic thinking, and leadership in advancing SEforALL’s and ACMI’s mission and goals, with a deep understanding of carbon market dynamics, trends, and opportunities in Ghana and sub-Saharan Africa.
• Stakeholder Engagement and Relationship Management: Builds and sustains effective relationships with diverse stakeholders, fostering trust, collaboration, and mutual respect to achieve shared objectives and maximize impact in carbon market development.
• Results Orientation and Accountability: Sets ambitious goals, monitors progress, and holds oneself and others accountable for achieving results, demonstrating a commitment to excellence, integrity, and transparency in all aspects of work.
• Innovation and Adaptability: Embraces innovation, creativity, and adaptive learning to address emerging challenges, seize opportunities, and drive continuous improvement in carbon market strategies, approaches, and methodologies.
• Communication and Advocacy: Communicates persuasively and effectively to convey complex ideas, engage diverse audiences, and mobilize support for carbon market initiatives, advocating for policy reforms, investment mobilization, and knowledge sharing.
• Team Building and Collaboration: Fosters a collaborative and inclusive team culture, empowering team members, leveraging diverse perspectives, and promoting a culture of learning, respect, and shared responsibility for achieving collective goals.
• Conflict Resolution and Negotiation: Facilitates constructive dialogue, manages conflicts, and resolves disputes among stakeholders, finding win-win solutions and consensus-based agreements to overcome barriers and unlock opportunities for carbon market development.
• Adaptability and Resilience: Adapts to changing circumstances, constraints, and uncertainties with resilience, agility, and perseverance, demonstrating flexibility, resourcefulness, and a positive mindset in the face of adversity.

Our Values – please refer to our core values as defined here: https://www.seforall.org/who-we-are/staff/our-values.

Salary information: The successful candidate will be offered an all-in daily rate determined depending on the successful candidate’s qualifications and experience, and applying the principle of internal equity. SEforALL will provide compensation to the selected candidate, with the payments being untaxed. It is the responsibility of the staff member to ensure that they meet any applicable national or local tax requirements.

Additional Considerations

• SEforALL offers exciting high-impact assignments, a collegial and creative work environment, and the opportunity for committed professionals to thrive and grow within flat hierarchies and in the pursuit of an inspiring mission.
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only short-listed candidates for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• SEforALL reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a level below the advertised level of the post.
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