Program Officer, VCS Program Development (Remote – Worldwide w/ significant overlap with U.S. business hours)

Job Title:                 Program Officer, VCS Program Development

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

Start Date:              Immediately

Reports to:             Manager, VCS Program Development

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 reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving livelihoods, and protecting 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 2,000 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 looking for a Program Officer to join the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) Program Development team to support the development and evolution of Verra’s VCS Program.

A day with Verra’s collaborative Program Development and Innovation Department might include…

· Participating in meetings with colleagues and stakeholders to discuss new ideas for VCS program updates.

· Reviewing and synthesizing feedback received in VCS Program public consultations.

· Preparing materials for the VCS Program Advisory Group’s input.

· Collaborating with the Communications Team to support messaging around specific program updates.

Specific functions you will be responsible for leading...

· Collaborating with the Manager, VCS Program Development to execute the strategy for VCS Program updates. · Ensuring that program updates and initiatives are tracked comprehensively, working closely with your manager and colleagues across Verra’s departments.

· Supporting update leads on process guidance, tracking milestones across a portfolio of updates, and identifying issues that need decisions and by whom.

· Preparing materials for the effective rollout of program updates and initiatives such as webinars, website updates, and announcements.

· Contributing to the development of content for certain cross-cutting updates, including supporting the development of Version 5 of the VCS Program.

· Supporting strategic initiatives within the VCS Program.

· Contributing to the capacity-building of Verra staff, project developers, validation and verification bodies, and other relevant stakeholders.

· Responding to enquiries when possible, re-directing them when appropriate.

· Scheduling meetings across multiple time zones.

You bring with you...

· A passion for climate action and sustainable development.

· Technical understanding of sustainability practices, market-based mechanisms and the challenges and opportunities faced in the voluntary carbon market.

· Relevant professional experience working for a standards organization (preferred), or an NGO, government, project developer, and/or validation/verification body.

· Prior experience in program coordination, project management, or related roles.

· Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks concurrently, including attention to detail and ability to work across topics.

· Cultural awareness with the ability to learn from team members and stakeholders from different countries, cultures, and sectors.

· Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

· 5+ years’ experience and a relevant university degree in environmental science, sustainability, business, or a related field; a master’s degree would be advantageous.

· Fluency in English is essential. Fluency in other UN languages would be an advantage.

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

· Gaining hands-on experience in program development and coordination within the field of sustainability and sustainable development.

· Deepening your understanding of the VCS Program and other sustainability standards.

· Collaborating closely with a dynamic, committed, and focused group of highly committed professionals constantly looking for ways to fight climate change and promote sustainable development solutions around the world.

You will know you are successful if…

· You are seen as a reliable and capable member of the team by your peers and manager.

· You build an appreciation and respect for the challenges and opportunities faced by users of VCS Program and can effectively evaluate how program updates will affect these stakeholders.

· You successfully coordinate a portfolio of updates with strong buy-in from the team and stakeholders. · You actively contribute to the innovative growth of the VCS Program and related initiatives, helping to shape the future of sustainability practices.

You will join an inclusive team…

· Of leading experts in the climate and sustainable development space.

· From diverse locations and backgrounds, including carbon market and sustainable development experts, climate negotiators, researchers, auditors, and more.

· Committed to driving finance at scale to projects that advance climate action and sustainable development through high-quality standards and programs.

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 between $57,225 - $63,597 USD. The compensation band is based on a U.S. base salary range and shares the min and max base salary for the position. This position is eligible for remote work.

The final compensation offered will be contingent upon role, level and location. Our Talent team can share the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process.

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:

· Top-tier 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 ten 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.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

Keywords

Program OfficerVCS Program Developmentsustainability practicesmarket-based mechanismsvoluntary carbon marketprogram coordinationproject managementorganizational skillsenvironmental sciencesustainabilitybusinessmaster's degree