The role will require a breadth of skills across a variety of topics including project management, carbon finance, science, policy, markets, and technology. The position-holder will work closely with country leaders and field programs as well as the Conservation Finance Division, Natural Climate Solutions Center, Regional Field Divisions, Center for Oceans, and other relevant Conservation International divisions. They provide oversight for all the research and development efforts of the IBCI and will ensure compliance with project standards, donor requirements, charity conditions in Singapore, and institutional priorities. They report directly to the Director of the International Blue Carbon Institute, with dotted reporting lines to the Senior Director of Carbon Development within the Asia-Pacific Field Division / Vice-President, Blue Carbon Program.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Blue Carbon Project Development:

• Conduct field and desk-based feasibility assessments to identify and prioritize new carbon opportunities in the Asia-Pacific region, specifically but not limited to new blue carbon-crediting projects eligible under voluntary and compliance carbon schemes such as Verra VCS and CCB. The feasibility assessment might include aspects such as assessing the agents and drivers of deforestation, conducting potential emissions reduction and removal analysis, estimating projects and program intervention costs, identifying implementation partners and key stakeholders, assessing potential risks and challenges, identifying enabling conditions and policy gaps, etc.
• Assist and/or lead the strategic and technical development of CI “flagship” blue carbon projects that incorporate all aspects of high-quality NCS projects including the application of CI’s safeguard systems and ensure and implementation of robust monitoring and verification approaches (in accordance with high-quality standards like VCS). This includes but is not limited to developing carbon emissions baseline and project scenarios, leading the design of field-based forest carbon stock assessments and subsequent data analysis, developing appropriate MRV protocols, contributing to the identification and design of field implementation activities, designing and managing work plans and budgets for technical activities related to carbon project development, and leading projects through audit and validation/verification processes.

Program Leadership and Development:

• Work as a key member of the CI Blue Carbon team to ensure complementarity, leverage and integration of the IBCI with CI’s Blue Carbon programs.
• Develop a broad and diverse network of relationships and partnerships to accelerate and achieve IBCI goals. Effectively engage stakeholders including donors, government and NGOs, technical colleagues, and other partners important to program success.
• Work closely with, coordinate, collaborate, and communicate with all institutional carbon-related staff & teams to have clarity on their initiatives, views, and how their approaches address/support the needs/goals and context of the countries where projects are being implemented.
• Identify capacity-building needs and develop plans to implement and monitor efforts to address capacity gaps.
• Develop scientific publications on blue carbon research to support national policy and inter-government collaboration for the protection and restoration of coastal ecosystems.
• Support proposal development to include science and research content.
• Represent the organization externally. Serve as a trusted and visible point of contact and blue carbon technical advisor for CI and partners.
• Track expenses and activities associated with the IBCI’s research and technical programs.
• Prepare progress reports of program activities, in particular those that benefit communities in Singapore, to support the maintenance of charity status for the work of CI in Singapore.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Stay updated on trends and policies related to environmental and climate action, particularly developments in the blue carbon space in Singapore and beyond.
• Work with CI Singapore’s communications personnel to develop content for social media channels and websites, e.g. graphics, factsheets, collaterals, for internal and external stakeholders.
• Perform related duties as assigned.