Associate Director, Technical

The Architecture for REDD+ Transactions (ART) is a global carbon crediting program that certifies high-integrity emission reductions and removals from protecting and restoring forests at scale. ART operates at a jurisdictional scale to align with Paris Agreement requirements for REDD+ and to help finally decouple economic development from forest loss. As the leading global expert on jurisdictional REDD+, ART is led by a dedicated, independent secretariat that is governed by a Board of globally recognized experts. ART engages with key stakeholders to ensure different perspectives are represented in the design and implementation of its program. To ensure social integrity, ART directly aligns with the UN-defined Cancún Safeguards. As a result of its comprehensive efforts, ART serves as a global quality benchmark for jurisdictional REDD+. This role advances ART’s mission, which is to provide the confidence in the environmental and social integrity of emission reductions and removals from forest protection and restoration to unlock finance at scale for ambitious climate action and to incentivize governments to achieve those results. Learn more at ARTredd.org.

The Associate Director, Technical, is an important role within ART providing support to the ART Managing Director, and other ART staff on all aspects of implementation of this program. This will include coordination of ART’s Technical team, significant technical support to jurisdictions and stakeholders, technical inputs and analyses, development of outreach materials, document review, report writing and oversight of validation and verification bodies (VVBs).

ART prides itself on providing technical expertise and responsive service to interested participants, jurisdictions and stakeholders. The Associate Director, Technical will have an understanding of REDD+ quantification and monitoring methods and approaches and the carbon market. The incumbent will provide support and contribute to ensure that ART is managed efficiently, while ensuring technical rigor and quality.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead technical REDD+ team and work streams within ART operations
• Develop a deep understanding of all ART program requirements including TREES technical, safeguards and verification requirements
• Support interested and participating jurisdictions under the ART program, including answering questions, developing communications materials, and providing presentations on the program requirements
• Oversee the Technical team’s review and substantive feedback on TREES documents submitted for completeness checks under ART
• Take a leading role in the oversight of ART validation and verification bodies including during audit processes and document reviews and mentor ART colleagues in oversight process
• Support and/or take a leading role in the development of and updates to ART Standards, templates, guidance documents, tools and other program documents
• Assist in coordinating expert committees as needed, including preparation of meeting materials, development of memoranda, management of contractual documentation
• Manage and contribute to the development of technical analyses, presentations, outreach materials, and reports to contribute to the implementation of the ART program
• Represent ART in industry groups and speaking engagements as appropriate
• Assist with the development of summary materials for the ART Board and present on technical topics as appropriate

Education:          Advanced degree in Forestry, Natural Resources Management, Carbon Accounting, or related field.

Experience:  The candidate must have a minimum of 10 years of experience working in international REDD+ / forest carbon including with validation and verification, voluntary or compliance carbon markets, and/or remote sensing and forest measurement with greater experience preferred. The candidate must have familiarity with REDD+ accounting and quantification methods, fundamental greenhouse gas (GHG) accounting principles, verification and auditing standards.

• Understanding of approaches for quantifying emissions from deforestation and degradation and removals at a jurisdictional scale.
• Understanding of validation and verification processes and standards.
• Knowledge and understanding of voluntary and regulated carbon markets including CORSIA and the Paris Agreement.
• Fluency in spoken and written English is Fluency in one or more additional languages is an asset, especially Spanish and French.
• Ability to manage project operations and workflow effectively, to track and meet deadlines for multiple tasks.
• Strong interpersonal skills, impeccable integrity and trustworthiness, sense of humor, and diplomatic approach to problem solving.
• Ability to consistently interact with others in a professional, courteous, and tactful manner, maintain a positive attitude and good working relationships, and work effectively in a team setting.
• Ability to work independently for timely completion of quality deliverables.
• Strong technical and analytical skills. 
• Strong speaking, presentation and written communication skills.

Other:                   Must be available to travel for short-term assignments. Commitment to Winrock’s mission and interest in market-based approaches to reducing greenhouse gas emissions required. Candidate must be comfortable working in a flexible, high-paced environment and able to work well in teams and also independently.

Winrock offers competitive pay and an excellent benefits package.

Winrock is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing equal employment opportunity for all people. All qualified applicants receive consideration for employment regardless of race, color, religion, sex, gender, national origin, age, disability or any other basis protected by law. 
At Winrock we have a clear mission: Empower the disadvantaged, increase economic opportunity and sustain natural resources through unwavering dedication to accountability, equity, innovation, integrity and transformation.