02 REDD Technical Advisors
Job title: REDD Technical Advisor (2 positions available)
Reports to: Country directors (as appropriate), Asia Program
Coordinates with: Carbon Team NY
Based in: One position in Laos; One in Cambodia
WCS seeks candidates interested in providing technical advice for the development and implementation of climate change strategies, national REDD readiness policies, and forest carbon-based field projects in Cambodia and Laos.
One REDD Technical Advisor (RTA) will be located in Cambodia; the other in Laos. Each will provide direct support to emerging forest carbon activities in the respective country and will coordinate regionally with WCS programs, governments and donors. The RTA will provide technical assistance to WCS climate change mitigation initiatives in the country, with a focus on leading and assisting in the technical analysis for project development and feasibility studies for Reduce Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD) projects. In addition, he/she will support WCS initiatives working with governments in the development of climate change initiatives in the region, particularly REDD Readiness efforts.
Primary Responsibilities
- Assist with the development of REDD projects, leading the technical analysis and writing of the feasibility studies and project design documents (PDD). This work will include the following types of analysis:
- Helping identify appropriate areas for REDD based on the conservation priorities, and a consideration of project additionality and confirming to VCS and CCB requirements
- Design field surveys and organize teams for data collection on forest carbon stocks.
- Undertake analyses of drivers of deforestation
- Manage inputs by remote-sensing specialists, including analyses of baseline deforestation rates and modelling future land-use change.
- Manage technical work to verify emissions reductions
- Lead the writing of the Project Development Document and the feasibility reports
- Work with partners to help build the capacity of governments on climate change policy, especially REDD
- Build capacity of WCS staff on climate change mitigation-related issues
- Coordinate WCS and partner efforts to develop climate change mitigation-related projects
- Assist with the mobilization of financial support for climate change mitigation-related work
- In concert with WCS staff globally, contribute to development and implementation of the WCS’s climate change programs.
Professional Requirements
The ideal candidate for these positions has a strong knowledge of REDD and has carbon project development experience. Candidates with a masters degree and/or three years of work experience in forestry, Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES), conservation biology, geography economics, or a related field will also be considered. Experience on climate change or forestry projects generally and REDD in particular (including application of VCS methodologies) is an advantage.
Other useful skills required include:
- Ability to organize program meetings, events and consultative fora, facilitate communication among geographically dispersed collaborators, colleagues and senior government officials, and interact with ODA institutions and others active in supporting REDD programs;
- Ability to function effectively in a wide range of settings, from field to international meetings;
- Experience of other conservation finance mechanisms (trust funds, biodiversity offsets, etc.) an advantage;
- Experience with remote sensing, modelling, budgeting, project management, fieldwork, and statistical analysis.
- Experience with government ministries
- Knowledge of the VCS and CCB standards
Candidates with experience in Southeast Asia are highly encouraged.
Interested candidates who meet the above qualifications should apply by sending an application letter and CV together with the names and contact information of three referees to Marisa Arpels [email protected].
For more information about Wildlife Conservation Society and Climate Change and Conservation Finance, please visit our website at: http://www.wcs.org.