Program Officer, Plastic Program

Job Title:                 Program Officer, Plastic Program

Location:                 Remote - Worldwide (with significant overlap with US business hours)

Start Date:              Immediately

Reports to:             Manager, Plastic Program

Verra is a global leader helping to tackle the world’s most intractable environmental and social challenges. As a mission-driven non-profit organization, Verra is committed to helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve livelihoods and protect natural resources across the private and public sectors. We support climate action and sustainable development with standards, tools and programs that credibly, transparently and robustly assess environmental and social impacts and enable funding for sustaining and scaling up projects that verifiably deliver these benefits. We work in any arena where we see a need for clear standards, a role for market-based mechanisms, and an opportunity to generate significant environmental and social value.

Verra manages a portfolio of standards, including the:

• Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) -- the world’s leading carbon crediting program, with more than 1600 registered projects in 80 countries, and accounting for two-thirds of all voluntary carbon market transaction volume.
• Sustainable Development Verified Impact Standard (SD VISta) -- a flexible framework for assessing and reporting on the sustainable development benefits of project-based activities.
• Climate, Community & Biodiversity (CCB) Standards -- to identify projects that simultaneously address climate change, support local communities and smallholders, and conserve biodiversity.
• Plastic Waste Reduction Program -- to enable robust impact assessment of new or scaled-up waste recovery and recycling projects around the globe.

Verra is seeking a Program Officer to support the Plastic Program on the growing Program Management Team (PMT).

A day with Verra’s collaborative Program Management Team might include…

• Conducting a review of a project requesting registration or verification approval with the Plastic Program.
• Participating in meetings with the Program Management Team and other relevant members of the organization to determine solutions to issues that arise for users of the Plastic Program (e.g., providing guidance for a project facing data challenges while demonstrating additionality).
• Supporting users of the Plastic Program by clarifying program rules and procedures, and suggesting solutions to resolve challenges.
• Undertaking research assignments to inform project reviews and the development of new tools and products to strengthen the Plastic Program.
• Collaborating with other Verra teams (e.g., Program Development & Innovations; Legal, Policy & Markets) to advance our organizational mission.

Specific functions you will be responsible for...

• Ensuring the quality of projects requesting registration with the Plastic Program, including reviewing project documentation, visiting projects, and liaising and collaborating closely with project stakeholders.
• Providing guidance and support to users of the Plastic Program. Such users include project developers, methodology developers, validation/verification bodies (VVBs), and other stakeholders.
• Collaborating with the Program Development & Innovations Team to draft revisions to Plastic Program rules and procedures to help maintain the robustness, workability, and impact of the program.
• Supporting the development of the Plastic Program by, for example, gathering and synthesizing input from key stakeholders, participating in relevant working groups and conferences, and researching emerging markets and policies.
• Other duties, as required.

You bring with you...

• At least 1-2 years of relevant professional or internship experience, preferably working for a standards organization, NGO, government entity, project developer and/or validation/verification body (VVB).
• A relevant university degree. A master’s degree would be advantageous.
• Sound knowledge of the plastic waste management and/or packaging sectors, including recycling processes, plastic materials and supply chains, and an appreciation for the challenges and opportunities faced by practitioners of these arenas.
• Understanding of circularity concepts, UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), supply chain sustainability initiatives and/or climate/development finance.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong project management and organizational skills, including the ability to prioritize and work efficiently and effectively under deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Culturally aware with the ability to work with stakeholders and partners from different countries and cultures.
• Self-starter with ability to excel in a professional environment with limited supervision.
• Fluency in English is essential. Proficiency in other languages, especially Spanish, Portuguese, French or Bahasa would be an advantage.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally.

In this role, you will grow and expand your expertise by...

• Working at the cutting edge of programs designed to drive finance towards high-impact activities that tackle some of the most pressing environmental issues of our day.
• Gaining exposure to challenges and opportunities faced by practitioners of activities aimed at reducing plastic waste in the environment and improving livelihoods.
• Finding effective ways to ensure the quality of projects and credits under Verra’s programs.
• Working with a dynamic, committed and focused team of professionals.

You will know you are successful, if...

• The Plastic Program is recognized as providing the highest level of rigor, integrity and workability and has a growing impact on mitigating plastic waste in the environment and improving livelihoods.
• Verra stakeholders consistently express positive feedback regarding your ability to collaborate to find workable solutions to challenges they face.
• You are seen as a reliable and capable member of the team by your peers and manager.

You will join a team...

• From diverse locations and backgrounds, including carbon market experts, project developers, consultants, climate negotiators, researchers, auditors, and more.
• Committed to driving finance at scale to projects and programs that advance climate action and sustainable development through high-quality standards and programs.
• That embodies the values Verra has established for itself, and which include Teamwork, Results, Integrity, Balance, and Exploration.

Compensation at Verra

To help us attract and retain top talent, Verra pays employees competitively to the market. In return, we expect each employee to, at a minimum:

• Meet expectations in terms of work effort and performance;
• Take the initiative to build the skills and knowledge needed to do their job effectively; and
• Embody Verra’s values.

For this position, the salary range is USD $54,708 – $60,801 depending on experience.

We will recognize employees who go beyond expected performance with salary increases and/or promotions, but the bar for earning those rewards is high.

Salary is one component of Verra’s total compensation package which also includes:

• Health, vision and dental care, and life insurance;
• Verra contributions to each employee’s retirement plan;
• Verra contributions as required by national labor laws in countries where staff are located;
• Paid Time Off (PTO), comprising 22-30 days plus eleven floating holidays, sabbatical after five years of service, and other leave allowances; and
• Funds to support professional development.

How to Apply

To apply, please send us the following:

• Cover letter (not to exceed one page)
• Resume/CV (not to exceed two pages)

*Please add app.bamboohr.com to your contact list to ensure you receive emails from us*

Verra provides equal opportunity for all job applicants and employees and is committed to providing a work environment free of discrimination. We conduct our recruitment and hiring without regard to race, color, religion, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital status, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, genetics, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, and local law.