Technical Legal and Policy Expert

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 dynamic landscape of sustainable development and climate action, SEforALL is at the forefront of pioneering initiatives such as the Africa Carbon Markets Initiative (ACMI). The objective of the Technical Legal and Policy Expert would be in providing expert guidance and strategic direction in the development and implementation of legal and policy frameworks related to carbon markets and climate finance. With a focus on ensuring regulatory compliance, fostering public-private partnerships, and advancing policy coherence, this role contributes significantly to the successful realization of ACMI’s objectives across Rwanda, Nigeria, and Ghana. By leveraging expertise in environmental law, regulatory analysis, and policy advocacy, the Technical Legal and Policy Expert drives impactful change, promotes sustainable energy solutions, and accelerates progress towards a low-carbon future.

Main Duties and Tasks of the Role

• Legal and Policy Guidance:
  • Be the ACMI lead in providing legal and policy support to governments to create conducive regulatory environments for carbon markets. Provide expert legal advice and policy analysis to support the development and implementation of Carbon Market Activation Plans (CMAP) in collaboration with African Governments, key regulators, and ecosystem stakeholders that provide a globally competitive conducive environment for innovation, integrity and transparency.
  • Conduct comprehensive reviews and assessments of existing legal frameworks, regulations, and policies related to carbon markets, climate finance, and sustainable development to identify gaps, opportunities, and areas for improvement.
  • Collaborate with relevant stakeholders to draft, review, and recommend legislation, regulations, and policy instruments that facilitate the establishment, operation, and oversight of carbon markets in countries of interest.
  • Ensure alignment of national and regional legal and regulatory frameworks with international standards, agreements, and best practices in carbon market development.
• Stakeholder Engagement:
  • Engage with relevant government functions, legislators and agencies, regulatory bodies and international organizations to promote consensus-building on legal and policy issues related to carbon markets.
  • Foster dialogue and partnership-building with international legal experts and development organizations to leverage expertise, resources, and best practices in support of ACMI’s objectives.
• Documentation and Reporting:
  • Prepare clear and well-researched legal opinions, policy briefs, and technical reports on complex legal and policy issues related to carbon markets, climate finance, and sustainable development.
  • Develop and maintain a comprehensive repository of legal and policy documents, legislative texts, and regulatory guidelines relevant to carbon market development in countries of interest.
  • Monitor and analyze emerging legal and regulatory developments, international agreements, and practices and industry trends to inform decision-making, strategy development, and advocacy efforts.

Specific Competencies for the Role

• Advanced degree in law, with specialization in environmental law, international law, or related fields.
• A minimum of 5-7 years of progressive experience in legal and policy analysis, advocacy, and capacity building, with a focus on climate change, carbon markets, or sustainable development issues.
• Strong understanding of international agreements, protocols, and legal frameworks relevant to climate change mitigation, including the Paris Agreement, Kyoto Protocol, and Article 6 provisions.
• Demonstrated expertise in drafting legislation, regulations, policy documents, and legal instruments, preferably in the context of environmental regulation, carbon pricing, or emissions trading systems.
• Excellent research, analytical, and writing skills, with the ability to distill complex legal concepts and policy issues into accessible and actionable recommendations.
• Proven track record of engaging with diverse stakeholders, building consensus, and facilitating collaborative decision-making processes in multicultural settings.
• Fluency in English is required; proficiency in French, Spanish, or other UN languages is desirable.
• Familiarity with digital tools, legal databases, and information management systems for legal research, document management, and knowledge sharing.

Core Competencies

• Legal and Policy Expertise: Possesses advanced knowledge and expertise in environmental law, climate policy, and carbon market regulation, with the ability to provide authoritative advice and guidance on complex legal and policy issues.
• Stakeholder Engagement and Collaboration: Demonstrates strong interpersonal skills, cultural sensitivity, and diplomacy in engaging with diverse stakeholders, fostering dialogue, and building strategic partnerships to advance common objectives.
• Analytical Thinking and Problem-Solving: Applies critical thinking, analytical reasoning, and sound judgment to identify legal and policy challenges, evaluate alternative courses of action, and develop pragmatic solutions that address stakeholder needs and priorities.
• Communication and Advocacy: Communicates effectively, persuasively, and diplomatically in written and oral formats, tailoring messages to diverse audiences, and advocating for policy reforms and regulatory changes that promote sustainable development and climate resilience.
• Project Management and Execution: Manages multiple tasks, priorities, and deadlines effectively, demonstrating strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and follow-through in planning, coordinating, and executing legal and policy initiatives.
• Continuous Learning and Professional Development: Pursues ongoing learning opportunities, stays abreast of emerging trends, developments, and best practices in environmental law, climate policy, and carbon market regulation, and applies new knowledge and skills to enhance performance and impact.

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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