Job Title: Senior Program Officer, Plastics Policy
Location: Flexible: remote (some overlap with Eastern Time business hours required)
Start Date: Immediately
Reports to: Director, Plastics and Sustainable Development Policy and Markets
This role may be performed from anywhere with an internet connection. There is no requirement to attend a physical office. Staff members will need to be available for occasional meetings during Eastern Time business hours.
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 and remove 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 1,700 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 Standard -- to enable robust impact assessment of new or scaled-up waste recovery and recycling projects around the globe. Verra’s Plastic Program issues Plastic Credits to projects certified with the Plastic Standard and offers a solution for financing plastic waste management projects.
Given significant developments in the global environmental and social context, governments and policy makers are increasingly engaging in a variety of strategies to reduce plastic pollution that provide opportunities for Verra's Plastic Program and the adoption of Plastic Credits. This motivates Verra to seek a Senior Program Officer, Plastics Policy within Verra’s Legal, Policy and Markets Department.
A day with Verra's collaborative Legal, Policy, and Markets team might include…
- Analyzing the policy landscape to inform the potential for Verra’s Plastic Program in advancing regional and global plastic stewardship priorities.
- Keeping track of policy developments, their potential impact on adoption of the Plastic Program and reporting back to the team with findings.
- Preparing responses to policy related consultations, call for written statements and submissions.
- Monitoring and participating in relevant events and reporting back to the team with reflections and recommendations.
- Developing resources to engage a range of external stakeholders.
- Participating in team meetings to agree on work plans, review progress on key projects, brainstorm ideas and execution strategies.
- Working with colleagues in communications, events, program management, market development and climate policy in delivery of key messages related to Verra's offerings.
Specific functions you will be responsible for leading...
- Researching and analyzing international policy developments (e.g., the global plastic treaty) as well as regional initiatives (e.g. Extended Producer Responsibility schemes, plastic taxes) and their implications on the adoption and use of the Plastic Program.
- Developing strategies for integration of the Plastic Standard and Plastic Credits with current and potential initiatives of priority.
- Identifying and engaging with governments, regional policy makers and other relevant stakeholders to facilitate integration of the Plastic Program in global, national and subnational policies and finance mechanisms, as applicable.
- Developing engagement content and resources to build awareness about the Plastic Program and their role in effectively meeting policy related priorities.
- Identifying the implications of external policy measures on the Plastic Program and supporting in its evolution to ensure its effectiveness and credibility.
- Supporting in developing messaging and responses to stakeholder and media queries.
- Identifying the need for external consultants from time to time and managing external consultant contracts to support the scale up of the Plastic Program.
- Identifying and participating in relevant events (eg. INC sessions of the plastic treaty), developing strategies to engage high priority stakeholders and build Verra’s visibility through our participation.
You bring with you...
- At least 3-5 years of relevant professional work experience, including policy advocacy, government engagement, and partnership development, with significant thematic experience in plastics or voluntary credit mechanisms.
- Experience with supporting policy developments, particularly in developing countries.
- Technical knowledge of, and experience of working with, environmental and social standards, including knowledge of Verra's Plastic Waste Reduction Standard would be an advantage.
- Technical knowledge of global developments in addressing plastic pollution including financial mechanisms, awareness of policy and market drivers, and an appreciation of challenges and opportunities facing countries and other stakeholders active in this area.
- A track record of successfully formulating and executing complex strategies. An ability to think creatively and in a solution-oriented manner is essential.
- Strong organizational skills and discipline to prioritize and work efficiently and effectively under deadlines with limited supervision.
- Outstanding interpersonal skills; capable of maintaining a professional approach and demeanor in high-pressure situations and providing support and guidance to other Verra team members.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Fluency in English is essential. Fluency in other languages would be an advantage.
In this role, you will grow and expand your expertise by...
- Promoting the program of a rapidly growing organization that aims to be a leader in environmental and social markets worldwide.
- Providing well-informed, dynamic, and effective messaging on plastics and sustainability in regions of priority.
- Gaining exposure to challenges and opportunities faced by practitioners of activities aimed at addressing the plastic crisis and improving livelihoods in local communities.
- Expanding your network of professionals working on waste management and sustainable development, including government officials, NGOs, and others.
- Collaborating closely with a dynamic and focused group of highly committed professionals constantly looking for ways to fight climate change and promote sustainable development solutions around the world.
How will you know you're successful?
- Verra's Plastic Standard and Plastic Credits become more widely understood and used, particularly towards meeting policy and regulatory priorities.
- The team functions more smoothly because of your support and is able to effectively collaborate both with other internal teams and external stakeholders.
- You are seen as a reliable and capable member of the team by your manager and team members.
- Your team as well as other teams within Verra are regularly informed about relevant developments.
- Verra's work in this area is implemented optimally, timely, and within budget.
- Verra is able to develop and strengthen its programs and catalyze environmental action.
You will join a team ...
- From diverse locations and backgrounds, including plastics and sustainability experts, ex-government representatives, auditors, and more.
- Committed to driving finance to advance climate action and sustainable development through high-quality standards and programs.
- That embodies the values Verra has established for itself, 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
The salary will be based 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)
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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.