The Advisor, Forest Carbon Markets will play a key role within CELB to leverage the organization’s exceptional private-sector relationships and market expertise to create a new regulatory and carbon investment environment that supports the rapid scaling up of multiple-benefit forest conservation and restoration projects around the world. Engaging Fortune 500 companies and US and international policymakers, the Forest Carbon Markets Advisor will help set the rules of the game within the voluntary and regulatory carbon markets, by creating supportive policy frameworks, establishing and promoting best-practice standards, and securing and showcasing private-sector investment deals.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Reporting to the Senior Director, Forest Carbon Markets, the Advisor will represent CI at key policy, NGO and investment forums and conferences in the US and internationally, effectively making the case for creating policy and market frameworks that will attract and sustain large-scale investment in forestry activities that simultaneously mitigate climate change, create sustainable livelihoods and protect biodiversity.
• Educate and inform corporate partners about the business, climate, biodiversity and community values associated with CI and partner forest conservation and restoration projects; develop corporate forest carbon offset strategies and secure multi-million dollar investments in these projects; and create compelling offset programs that engage and mobilize their suppliers and customers/consumers.
• Partner with offset brokers and retailers to maximize exposure of, and investment flows into, CI Conservation Carbon offerings. Manage the internal registry of carbon offsets generated by the projects against what has been sold and retired.
• Support CI’s Conservation Funding Division in creating new financing vehicles and risk mitigation mechanisms for channeling funding into early-stage forest carbon projects, and to mobilize large-scale investment activity.
• Work closely with CI’s Center for Conservation and Government to provide a forest-friendly carbon market perspective to UNFCCC, EU and US policymakers, and specify and promote the development of rigorous yet workable rules for encouraging multi-benefit forest carbon activities under emerging global and US climate policies.
• Support the Conservation Strategies Department and Regional Program staff in the packaging and marketing of CI and partner forest carbon projects; provide guidance on forest carbon market trends, and assist the Climate Change Initiatives Team in the preparation and delivery of training activities on forest carbon project development and marketing.
• Support the execution and evolution of CI’s $90m Climate Change Business Plan, and serve as the carbon market expert and focal point in Arlington, Virginia for all CI divisions. Support CI's Strategic Marketing & Global Communications group in designing carbon fundraising campaigns, donor engagement strategies, marketing materials and presentations.
• Support the development of best-practice forest carbon standards, with which CI plays a leading role, including the Voluntary Carbon Standard and the Climate, Community & Biodiversity Standards, and foster their widespread use in the marketplace.
• Assist Senior Director in developing Forest Carbon Markets strategy, workplans and budgets.

Working Conditions: Frequent domestic and international travel (25%).

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required Skills:

• 5+ years relevant experience
• Master’s degree preferred, in business, marketing, political science, international relations, public policy,natural resource management, or related field
• Extensive knowledge of international and domestic climate policies and carbon markets, especially as they relate to forestry activities
• Working knowledge of private-sector developments/motivations on the environment and climate change
• Ability to create innovative strategies, partnerships, and programs without existing models
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong public speaking/ presentation skills
• Ability to deliver results while managing competing priorities under tight deadlines
• Excellent project management skills, follow through and attention to detail
• Capability to interact effectively with all levels of management within corporate partner and nongovernmental organizations
• Collaborative spirit and ability to work in team settings across cultures and internally within a diverse institution
• Passion for international conservation of nature, and commitment to engagement with businesses and policymakers to address environmental problems

Preferred Skills:

• Hands-on carbon market and/or policy experience a plus
• Marketing and/or sales experience valued.

APPLICANTS SHOULD SEND: Cover letter and resume