GHG Quantification Specialist, Nature-based Solutions (NbS)

Position:       GHG Quantification Specialist, Nature-based Solutions (NbS)
Term:             Full-time – Employee or Consultant (depending on location)
Location:      Work from home/Time zone that works well with Pacific Standard Time

Company Summary

Founded in 2006, Terra Global is a mission driven company delivering 18 years of passion and persistence for people and the planet. Terra Global's mission is to provide technical expertise and climate-related private sector finance to empower communities, governments, and local partners to build financially, socially, and environmentally sustainable landscapes. Terra Global is a global leader in sustainable forest and agriculture program development, land-use greenhouse gas quantification and finance, and providing technical expertise and investment capital to their global client base in a collaborative and innovative manner. Having worked in 31 countries, Terra Global has designed and supported the implementation of REDD+ and other sustainable landscape programs from the project to national scale.

Position Responsibilities

This position for GHG quantification provides full-time technical support for carbon accounting and calculations, both at project and program scales, as well as contributing to business development. Candidate should bring expertise in Nature-based Solutions (NBS) sector and specialize in mangrove and/or wetland ecosystems. The ideal candidate should possess a minimum of 5 years of experience in data collection, analysis, and interpretation related to natural ecosystems, with a significant emphasis on mangrove ecosystems. In this role, you will utilize statistical modeling to create predictive models and develop statistical tools aimed at improving and evaluating our carbon accounting models. The candidate will:

• Lead technical design and review of blue carbon projects focused on mangroves and other tidal wetlands, including both restoration and conservation activities.
• Utilize advanced biostatistical techniques to analyze and interpret carbon emissions data, with a specific focus on biological and ecological aspects. Identify key trends and patterns to inform decision-making. This position for GHG quantification specifically supports technical aspects of methodology development, carbon accounting and calculations (at project and program scales), and business development. The preferred candidate has a minimum of 5 years’ experience in carbon modeling and statistics and is a self-starter who shows team leadership qualities with proven ability to work on a tight deliverable schedule.
• Evaluate and collaborate on the development of predictive models and statistical tools to forecast future carbon emissions and/or growth, considering biological and ecological factors.
• Assess and model sea-level rise, sediment accretion, submergence, erosion, salinity, wetland migration, and related non-permanence risks affecting project performance and carbon stocks.
• Develop and review technical aspects of AFOLU carbon projects and programs and provide guidance regarding project typology, eligible methodologies and mechanics of carbon monitoring, reporting and verification
• Compile data from literature and field-data, including forest inventory for GHG accounting procedures for any AFOLU project types
• Develop models in excel and python for baseline, ex-ante carbon calculations, and ex-post emission reductions/removals of AFOLU carbon projects and programs
• Visit remote project sites primarily in developing countries and verify fieldwork to support forest based carbon projects (e.g., overseeing and reviewing biomass inventories)
• Manage the collection of in-situ land use and land cover data and assess the biophysical, and socio-economic feasibility of NBS/AFOLU carbon projects
• Support Project Managers for multiple international projects, including ensuring tasks remain under budget and on schedule.

Essential Skills and Qualifications

• Background quantifying GHG emissions in successful carbon projects following market standards.
• Applied understanding of wetland hydrology, sediment accretion and erosion, water table dynamics, salinity, organic vs. mineral soils, and soil organic carbon accounting.c
• Proficiency in statistical software and data analysis tools, such as Python, or others.
• Coursework in biometrics, biostatistics, modeling, programming, GIS analysis, soil science, and forest systems
• A bachelor's degree in applied natural sciences such as forestry, ecology, natural resources, or biogeochemistry strongly suggested
• Preferred master’s in biostatistics, statistics, or a related field
• Practical and applied understanding of mathematical and statistical principles related to forest growth, yields and harvests
• Strong understanding of mangrove ecosystems and their unique biogeochemical modeling, as well as the use of Verra’s Methodologies VM0033, VMD0050, VMD0051, and VMD0052.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a proven ability to work with complex and extensive data sets
• Meticulous attention to detail and organizational skills
• Experience in forest monitoring, REDD+ carbon accounting, and MRV, including familiarity with accreditation programs and standards like the ACR, CDM, VCS, FCPF and CAR
• Excellent skills in MS Office suite, including advanced Excel skills of modeling, computer-literate with the ability to absorb new tools quickly
• Logical and structured thinker with understanding of spatial software
• Excellent written skills in English, and able to communicate fluently in English
• Organized, market-focused and results-oriented
• Understanding of cultural sensitivities associated with working in international settings
• Able to work collaboratively in a team environment while self-managing deliverables
• Passionate about working in the development and environmental sector
• Preferred knowledge of at least one foreign language, preferably French, Spanish, or Portuguese.

Other Skills

• Passion/persistence to work as a team-player and contribute to a company dedicated to Nature-based Solutions (NBS) program approaches. 
• Excellent communication and organizational skills: Verbal, written, and presentational.
• High-level attention to detail.
• Proactive and positive attitude; strong willingness to contribute effectively and positively to a multidisciplinary, global private company.
• Highly motivated to meet corporate and personal/professional Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), as assigned annually.
• Experience with GHG market standards, guidelines and protocols
• Actively working to learn new skills in order to stay ahead of with changing technologies and industry trends and shares knowledge proactively with others.
• Able to apply business knowledge to develop and deliver innovative, beneficial improvements.
• Excellent collaboration skills required both in-person and fully remote.
• Demonstrable ability to operate and effectively communicate while under pressure, as well as the ability to lead a diverse workload and work under time constraints. 
• Skilled in communicating technical topics to non-technical audiences.
• Experience working in an international environment, specifically in developing countries.

What We Offer

• “20Years of Passion and Persistence for People and the Planet”: work for a successful, mission driven social enterprise that is an industry leader in facilitating financially, socially, and environmentally sustainable landscapes in developing and emerging economies.
• Professional Growth: thrive on the opportunity to learn through training and development with dedicated professionals working from different countries around the world.
• Collaboration: join a great team atmosphere and a corporate culture based on mutual respect, partnerships, flat reporting structures and the opportunity to work from home
• Salary compensation: $68-100k base per year for US based staff, commensurate with qualifications and home working location.