Senior Program Officer, Net Zero Climate Services (Food, Land, and Agriculture)

Marshall Street; United States; Remote; USD 95,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Senior Program Officer to drive climate change mitigation strategies in the Food and Agriculture sector. This dynamic role involves working with clients to unlock funding for emission reduction projects and providing technical advice on GHG emissions accounting. The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in commodity decarbonization and GHG accounting, with a passion for climate solutions. Join a forward-thinking team dedicated to creating impactful strategies that contribute to a net-zero world. If you're eager to make a difference in climate action, this opportunity is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in food systems and GHG accounting.
• Understanding of GHG profiles for commodities like palm oil and cocoa.
• Experience with climate reporting standards and LCA.

Responsibilities

• Support clients in achieving climate mitigation goals.
• Model GHG emission reductions in agricultural commodities.
• Develop training materials on GHG mitigation in agriculture.

Skills

GHG emissions accounting

Decarbonization strategies

Climate reporting standards

Life-cycle assessments (LCA)

Strong communication skills

Business development

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

Senior Program Officer, Net Zero Climate Services (Food, Land, and Agriculture)

Position summary:

Winrock’s Net Zero Climate Services team empowers businesses and investors to build climate change mitigation strategies and develop solutions that enable the private sector to fulfill its role in advancing a net zero world. The team helps companies build effective climate change mitigation strategies, achieve scope 3 emissions goals, and ensure their actions and reporting align with best practices and standards in GHG accounting.

The Senior Program Officer will work with clients in the Food and Agriculture sector to unlock funding for emission reduction and removals projects that contribute to limiting global warming to 1.5°C. This role involves providing technical advice on GHG emissions accounting and decarbonization strategies in agricultural supply chains. The officer will collaborate with clients to identify decarbonization opportunities and ensure compliance with GHG calculation methodologies, including the draft Greenhouse Gas Protocol Land Sector & Removals Guidance and Science Based Targets initiative's Forest, Land, and Agriculture Guidance. When standards are vague, the role will identify uncertainties and propose no-regrets approaches to support clients in adopting ambitious, beneficial pathways. Past and current clients include Nestlé, McCormick, and Microsoft.

Experience in the food, land, and agriculture sectors is required, with preference for expertise in commodity decarbonization and GHG accounting in tropical crops like cocoa, sucrose, and palm oil. Up-to-date knowledge of how companies reduce Scope 3 emissions while complying with Science-Based Targets standards is also necessary.

This position may be remote within the U.S., working East Coast hours (EST).

Position role:

Supports the Manager, Net Zero Climate Services, in helping clients achieve climate mitigation goals, focusing on decarbonizing value chain emissions (Scopes 1, 2, and 3). Responsibilities include:

1. Supporting client interactions, presenting updates/deliverables, and conducting research.
2. Modeling GHG emission reductions and removals in agricultural commodities.
3. Developing knowledge products and training materials on GHG mitigation in agriculture.
4. Tracking and managing technical advisory requests.
5. Conducting desk research and preparing various communication materials.
6. Completing tasks efficiently in a fast-paced environment.
7. Leading/supporting workplan development and proposals.
8. Collaborating with teams to produce high-quality products and providing guidance.

Skills and Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in food systems and GHG accounting for land sector; additional experience preferred.
• Understanding of GHG profiles and mitigation strategies for commodities like palm oil, cocoa, sucrose, vegetable fats & oils, cereals & grains.
• Ability to adapt in ambiguous environments, collaborate across groups, and solve problems.
• Experience with climate reporting standards (e.g., GHG Protocol, Science-Based Targets).
• Experience with Life-cycle assessments (LCA) and Environmental Product Declarations (EPD).
• Curious, fast learner, passionate about climate solutions.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Experience in business development is a plus.

Language: Fluent in English; additional languages are a plus.

Travel: Willing to travel domestically and internationally.

Physical Demands:

• Typical office environment; sitting/standing required.
• Authorized to work in the U.S.

The salary range is $95,000–$105,000 depending on experience and skills. Winrock offers competitive pay and benefits, and is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion.