POSITION DESCRIPTION
Position Title: Technical Officer, Energy Transition Accelerator (ETA) Crediting Standard
Location: Little Rock, Arlington, Telecommuter
Business Unit: Environmental Resources Trust (ERT)
Winrock International is a nonprofit organization that works with people in the United States and around the world to empower the disadvantaged, increase economic opportunity, and sustain natural resources. Winrock matches innovative approaches in agriculture, natural resources management, clean energy, and leadership development with the unique needs of its partners. By linking local individuals and communities with new ideas and technology, Winrock is increasing long-term productivity, equity, and responsible resource management to benefit the poor and disadvantaged of the world.
Environmental Resources Trust (ERT), a wholly-owned nonprofit subsidiary of Winrock, has been selected by the U.S. State Department, the Bezos Earth Fund and Rockefeller Foundation (the Partners in the Energy Transition Accelerator, ETA, announced at COP27) to develop and administer the sectoral carbon crediting certification standard used by the ETA. ERT was selected based on its experience operating both the American Carbon Registry (ACR) and the Architecture for REDD+ Transactions (ART). Founded in 1996, ACR has over two decades of unparalleled experience in development of rigorous, science-based carbon crediting standards and methodologies as well as operational experience in the oversight of high quality carbon project listing, verification, registration, credit issuance, serialization and on-line retirement reporting. Constituted in 2018 and with the publication of The REDD+ Environmental Excellence Standard (TREES) in 2021 and the launch of the LEAF Coalition, ART is emerging as the leading global standard for jurisdictional REDD+.
Both ACR and ART work in regulated and voluntary carbon markets. ACR is the leading Offset Project Registry (OPR) for the California Cap-and-Trade Program and an approved OPR for Washington State’s Cap-and-Invest Program. In the OPR role, ACR works with the relevant state regulatory agency to oversee the registration and issuance of compliance-eligible Registry Offset Credits, which once transitioned to compliance offset credits can be used by capped entities towards emission reductions obligations. ACR and ART are also both approved by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to supply credits to airlines to meet CORSIA targets and both have an MoU with the government of Singapore to supply credits for use towards government carbon tax obligations starting in 2024.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Technical Officer, Energy Transition Accelerator Crediting Standard provides technical expertise within ERT, including analysis and project management in the development of a sectoral crediting standard for the Energy Transition Accelerator (ETA) initiative. This includes working with carbon market and relevant sector experts to develop all elements of a standard including eligibility criteria, crediting baselines, assurance of additionality, mechanisms to address leakage, uncertainty and non-permanence, avoiding double counting, and requirements for monitoring, reporting and third-party verification.
The Technical Officer will have knowledge of the energy sector, familiarity with global carbon markets, as well as experience in developing countries.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Serve as the Technical Officer for the development of the ETA carbon crediting standard including statistical analysis, preparation of materials, collaborating with partners and serving as an independent contributor to the following:
- Contribute to an iterative standards and methods development process and testing options in real world contexts, including collaboration with pilot countries and with relevant international organizations
- Support the development of relevant sector-specific safeguards mechanisms for incorporation in the Standard
- Support relationships with partner(s) and funder(s) to develop milestones and report on progress towards agreed objectives
- Support engagement with relevant stakeholders as part of the standards development process to ensure technical feasibility and political buy-in
- Engage in communications with partner(s) and funder(s) as well as external communications, as agreed and appropriate, regarding the standard development process/progress
- Support the implementation of the (global) public stakeholder comment process
- Ensure good governance including a transparent process to evaluate and resolve technical and policy issues identified during the public comment period and during program implementation
- Support the development of specifications for a registry platform
- Support implementation of a plan to socialize the program with key stakeholders to ensure market acceptance and uptake including appropriate outreach, communications and education efforts
- Identify opportunities and partners for business development / market expansion; Contribute to efforts for funding and implementation of selected opportunities
- Help to secure important carbon market accreditations and approvals
- Serve as an ERT representative in relevant global forums
QUALIFICATIONS AND BACKGROUND
Education: Advanced degree in Environmental Science, Physical Sciences, Natural Sciences, Engineering, Forestry, Agriculture, or related field.
Experience:
- Experience with electricity markets in developing countries
- Experience with statistical analysis of electricity generation
- Basic understanding of GHG accounting and verification standards and willingness to deepen knowledge
Skills:
- Detail oriented with an interest in carbon markets including standards, methodologies, verification and registries.
- Demonstrated project management ability including tracking and meeting deadlines, budgeting and reporting for multiple activities and clients.
- Comfortable working in a flexible, high-paced environment.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team to manage workflow effectively and to track and meet deadlines for multiple tasks.
- Ability to consistently interact with others in a professional, courteous, and tactful manner, maintain a positive attitude, and work effectively in a team setting.
- Excellent interpersonal skills, impeccable integrity and trustworthiness, sense of humor, and diplomatic approach to problem solving.
- Demonstration of high level of client service including thorough and timely responses to client and partner enquiries.
- Strong speaking, presentation and written communication skills.
- Fluency in spoken and written English is required. Proficiency in one or more additional languages is preferred.
Other: Must be available to travel domestically and internationally for short-term assignments. Commitment to Winrock’s mission and interest in market-based approaches to reducing greenhouse gas emissions required.
The candidate must not require sponsorship to work in the U.S.
Winrock offers competitive pay and an excellent benefits package.
Winrock is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunity for all people and value diversity and inclusiveness. Winrock recruits, employs, trains, promotes and compensates regardless of race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, family care status, or any other basis protected by law.
At Winrock we have a clear mission: Empower the disadvantaged, increase economic opportunity and sustain natural resources through unwavering dedication to accountability, equity, innovation, integrity and transformation.
Winrock knows that its success comes from the hard work and steadfast dedication of its diverse workforce. Winrock remains committed to maintaining diversity, inclusion and equity across the entire organization
