The Carbon Program Specialist will lead and coordinate all carbon activities for the B4R Kidepo Carbon Program. The Specialist will oversee a subcontractor, who is developing the investment readiness phase of the carbon activity. The Specialist will also liaise with the Government of Uganda at the national and local levels and USAID, in collaboration with B4R staff.
The Carbon Program Specialist will report to the B4R Forestry & Conservancy Program Manager.
Requirements
- Master’s degree and 7 years related work experience in forestry, biodiversity conservation, ecosystem management, land use, natural resources management, environmental sciences; or bachelor’s degree in related field and 10 years of relevant work experience.
- A minimum 10 years of experience in the design and implementation of carbon projects in the Agriculture Forestry and Land Use (AFOLU) sector.
- Knowledge and participation in REDD+ processes in Uganda.
- Experience in networking and engaging government of Uganda partners such as the Climate Change Department, National Forestry Authority, Local Government Authorities, civil society organizations and community groups.
- Deep knowledge of climate change financing trends and carbon financing.
- Ability to network with similar initiatives in Uganda and in the region is desirable.
Carbon Project design.
- Oversee investment readiness phase of the project.
- Work with carbon project partners to design equitable benefit-sharing arrangements.
- Oversee community consultations, establishment and strengthening of community institutions for effective participation in the carbon scheme.
- Develop administrative systems and procedures for the Kidepo carbon program.
- Liaise with the climate change department and REDD+ focal point at the Ministry of Water and Environment to secure their guidance and necessary approvals during the carbon project design phase.
Carbon Project implementation and monitoring.
- Oversee the establishment of carbon baselines in the Kidepo landscape.
- Oversee the development and implementation of a carbon monitoring program.
- Design and ensure regular update of a carbon database to enable tracking of carbon stocks supplied by landowners and those bought by carbon investors.
- Provide technical input in the design and implementation of management interventions to enhance carbon stock on community lands and central forest reserves in Kidepo landscape.
Carbon Project Stakeholder engagement.
- Take lead in the development and implementation of stakeholders’ engagement plan, ensuring participation and buy in of key stakeholders.
- Engage key actors in the carbon space including the climate change department in the ministry of water and environment, the REDD+ focal point, National forestry authority, district local governments, Community wildlife Associations and conservancies among others.
Carbon Project private sector engagement.
- Develop strategies for private sector engagement in the design and implementation of Kidepo landscape carbon program.
- Identify and reach out to potential private sector investors/carbon buyers and engage them to secure investment into the carbon program.
Reporting and communication.
- Provide strategic support and technical guidance to the COP, DCOP and Landscape Lead on all Kidepo carbon project activities and contribute to the development and production of timely annual work plans, quarterly progress reports, and other technical deliverables as needed.
- Oversee partner organization(s) working on the carbon activity, including reviewing and approving deliverables.
- Support the technical team in preparation of routine client updates and coordination of field visits in Kidepo landscape.
- Liaise with the technical, finance and compliance teams in Kampala as needed to ensure timely and accurate processing of all Kidepo carbon related activities.
- Ensure that lessons learned, and best practices are documented and shared.
Travel
- Travel 25% of the time to the Kidepo landscape to ensure compliance, quality and consistency during activity planning and implementation.
- Other duties as required.
