The Nature Conservancy is dedicated to achieving high environmental and climate integrity in our carbon projects as well as unlocking new Natural Climate Solutions (NCS) pathways, geographies, and business models. This position is part of a multidisciplinary team and is a role for someone with a solid technical background and the spirit of innovation and adaptability needed to apply that technical expertise to novel challenges. The Agriculture Carbon Specialist supports field programs worldwide to assess the feasibility and options for developing verified carbon credit projects. They will work with TNC staff as well as dedicated external carbon development firms to bring promising ideas to fruition to solve the triple crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and equitable development. They are experts on agriculture GHG fluxes, including soil carbon accounting, and are familiar with the main Standards and their methodologies relevant to generating such credits from nature-based projects, such as the Verified Carbon Standard.

This position will support TNC country programs and state chapters and the Natural Climate Solution Accelerator (NCSA) Fund technical team in the design and implementation of carbon projects. NCSA has been building a portfolio of carbon opportunities around the globe and under different NCS pathways. The Agriculture Carbon Specialist will apply their experience in agricultural systems to assist TNC’s goals of increasing soil health and reducing greenhouse gas emissions via regenerative management practices.

The Agriculture Carbon Specialist will support the development of the integrated approach to the carbon opportunities, advising on the scientific design and implementation of agricultural GHG flux models and monitoring systems for the projects deployed. They will ensure that regenerative agriculture-based carbon projects meet TNC’s criteria for high-quality, high-integrity carbon credits. They will support the project in choosing the most appropriate standard and methodology and navigating through their requirements. They will work with a multidisciplinary team to ensure that carbon accounting is integrated into the other elements of the project (e.g., financial model, mitigation action plan, community monitoring). The Agriculture Carbon Specialist will develop partnerships to address challenges related to carbon projects and search for and apply new technologies and approaches to enhance the effectiveness of carbon accounting. They facilitate capacity transfer to local stakeholders and field teams.

The location for this position is flexible for countries where TNC has existing staff/offices. The candidate must be located in an area with no more than a 5-hour difference from the US Eastern Standard Time. No relocation, visa, or immigration assistance is available with this position. Candidates that do not meet all desired qualifications yet have a passion for addressing climate change with the power of nature are encouraged to apply.

RESPONSIBILITIES & SCOPE

• Serve as the Technical Lead for the regenerative management practices-based carbon project by identifying solutions to GHG accounting issues, including systematic heterogeneity and high uncertainty on soil carbon models.
• Develop new soil models or update the existing ones and calibrate models in support of TNC regenerative management practice projects.
• Guide and support screening of soil models, including early-stage phases like feasibility assessments and project idea notes.
• Support field teams in the design of data collection, monitoring, and reporting systems to demonstrate the impact on agro-ecosystem health and carbon benefits.
• Facilitate capacity transfer to local stakeholders and field teams, including providing technical training and developing Standards of Procedures.
• Support the project in choosing the most appropriate carbon standard and methodology and navigating through their requirements, and guide the field team in fulfilling TNC’s requirements for high-quality carbon credits.
• Support the development of the documentation required for carbon certification, including PDD, MIR, and Non-Permanence Risk Reports.
• Assist the carbon project throughout the validation and verification process.
• Support the development of tools, frameworks, and templates to facilitate project evaluation, design, and implementation.
• Provides technical support to TNC’s internal carbon project approval body.
• Incorporates cross-disciplinary knowledge to support program objectives.
• May represent the Conservancy in external events and meetings.
• Will involve domestic and international travel up to 25% of their time.