CONTRACT POSITION: Technical Editor / Writer

About Verra.

At Verra, we've created a culture of flexibility + autonomy. You'll be able to work with remote teams from diverse countries and industries. Wherever possible, we aim to find mutually agreeable solutions for international hiring.

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 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 2000 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 Program -- to enable robust impact assessment of new or scaled-up waste recovery and recycling projects around the globe.

Engagement Title: CONTRACT POSTION: Technical Editor / Writer

Location / time-zone overlap: Remote - Worldwide, with significant overlap with US business hours

Primary Verra contact: Senior Director, Program Development       

Engagement type: Independent contractor / consultant

Estimated duration: 4 months+

Estimated hours: Initially starting at 20 hr/week; Oct-Jan 30-40 hr/wk; Feb-beyond, as-needed up to 20hr/week

Target start date: September

The Opportunity.  

The VCS Program rules define the standards and processes that all projects must follow in order to be certified and are set out in a suite of documents: Requirements, Procedural, Templates, and Guidance.

Methodologies in the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) Program set out detailed procedures and requirements that VCS projects must follow to quantify GHG emission reductions and/or carbon dioxide removals and have Verified Carbon Units (VCUs) issued. Each methodology specifies applicability conditions and provides criteria for defining the project boundary, identifying the baseline scenario, assessing additionality, quantifying reductions and/or removals, and establishing monitoring procedures and requirements. 

Verra is looking for a contractor to provide technical editing support during the development of methodologies and other technical documents in the VCS Program, with work on technical documents in other Verra programs as required.

Scope of Work.

The successful applicant will be responsible for tasks such as:

• Accurate technical and copy editing of documents, with tracked changes and comments

• Ensuring internal consistency across edited documents within a program both in terms of technical concepts and consistent writing voice

• Revising text to conform to general Verra style, including proper use of US English

• Facilitating user-friendly comprehension of technical concepts presented in edited documents

• Where relevant, providing suggestions to further improve documents

Collaboration with Verra.

You will work with experts across the program development and innovation team to assist in ensuring that methodologies, program documents, and other technical documents are accurate, concise, and user-friendly.

• Verrans come from diverse locations and backgrounds, and include carbon market experts, project developers, consultants, climate negotiators, researchers, and auditors. 

• We are committed to driving finance at scale to projects and programs that advance climate action and sustainable development through high-quality standards and programs.

Qualifications and Experience.

• Technical content and language editing experience

• Excellent written and verbal communication, with experience communicating technical information to a wide range of stakeholders

• Strong science background

• Technical expertise in an area related to Verra programs

• Excellent eye for detail

• Degree in relevant field; advanced degree advantageous

• Native English proficiency

Engagement Environment.

This engagement is expected to be performed remotely and will require regular computer-based work, virtual meetings, reliable internet access, and the ability to communicate effectively with Verra stakeholders during agreed working hours.

The contractor should have access to the equipment, workspace, and internet connectivity needed to deliver the agreed services.

About Verra.

Verra is a global leader helping to tackle some of the world’s most intractable environmental and social challenges. As a mission-driven nonprofit organization, Verra works to support high-integrity standards and programs that help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve livelihoods, and protect natural resources across the private and public sectors.

Contractors and consultants may support Verra’s work by providing specialized expertise, project-based services, or technical support aligned to defined engagement needs and deliverables.

Verra is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all our work, and we value respectful collaboration with contractors, consultants, partners, stakeholders, and Verra colleagues across the organization.

Engagement Terms.

We value the expertise that contractors and consultants bring to Verra’s work. This opportunity is structured as an independent contractor engagement and does not create an employment relationship with Verra.

• The engagement duration, hours, deliverables, and payment structure will be discussed and confirmed based on the agreed scope of work.

• Because this is a contractor engagement, it is not eligible for employee benefits, paid leave, retirement contributions, or other benefits associated with employment.

• Unless otherwise agreed in writing, the contractor will be responsible for their own taxes, insurance, equipment, workspace, internet access, and other business expenses.

How to Express Interest.

If this engagement aligns with your expertise and availability, we would welcome hearing from you. Please submit your resume or professional profile, a brief statement describing your relevant experience, your availability, and your proposed hourly rate or project fee. 

Verra provides equal opportunity in its selection and engagement processes and is committed to conducting contractor and consultant engagements 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, or local law.

Verra will provide reasonable accommodation, as applicable, to support individuals with disabilities in participating in the contractor selection process. Please contact [email protected] to request accommodation.