Carbon Credit Certification Expert

Redstone Search Group; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading investment and advisory firm in Africa seeks a Carbon Credit Certification Expert for a REDD+ project in the DRC. This role involves assessing carbon stocks and developing community engagement strategies. Ideal candidates will have proven expertise in forest carbon projects and familiarity with carbon certification processes.

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience in conducting carbon stock assessments.
• Familiarity with REDD+ and ARR methodologies.
• Bilingual in French and English, fluent in technical report writing.

Responsibilities

• Conduct forest & carbon stock assessments and deforestation driver analyses.
• Deliver feasibility and next steps report including cost projections.
• Engage with local communities to validate carbon projects.

Skills

Stakeholder Management

Carbon Accounting

Remote Sensing

Education

Experience in forest carbon projects

Job description

Description

Allied Talent Partners is a talent marketplace, connecting experienced professionals with climate-related projects and businesses in Africa.

High-Level Overview

Client:

The client is a leading emerging markets investment and advisory firm specializing in Africa, with expertise in sovereign-level infrastructure and energy projects. They have structured over $16 billion in financing across 35+ countries, offering tailored capital solutions for high-impact growth markets. Their focus includes sustainable finance, with carbon credit projects as one of their strategic priorities.

Project:

The client is seeking a Carbon Credit Certification Expert to conduct a pre-feasibility assessment for a REDD+ carbon credit project in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), covering 286,000 hectares of forested land. The assessment will focus on evaluating carbon stock potential, identifying deforestation drivers, and developing community engagement strategies. Key tasks include carbon stock assessments, analysis of deforestation drivers, comparison of methodology requirements, and evaluation of cost-benefit scenarios for various standards. The expert will deliver a comprehensive feasibility report, including methodology recommendations, an implementation roadmap, and a community engagement strategy to inform the client's certification decision and next-phase development.

Role and Responsibilities

Role:Carbon Credit Certification Expert

Direct Report: Chief Information Officer

Candidates Required: 1

Key Deliverables

• 1. Forest & Carbon Stock AssessmentConduct a comprehensive evaluation of current forest cover, historical deforestation/degradation trends, and carbon sequestration potential.
• Quantify above-ground and below-ground carbon stocks and estimate annual credit volume (tCO₂e/year) under baseline and project scenarios.
• 2. Deforestation Drivers & Mitigation StrategyIdentify primary drivers of deforestation/degradation (e.g., logging, agriculture, charcoal production) through stakeholder interviews and spatial analysis.
• Recommend interventions (e.g., REDD+ conservation, ARR reforestation) tailored to the project’s ecological and socioeconomic context.
• 3. Socio-Environmental & Economic AnalysisValidate and expand on existing community engagement data (collaborating with local partners).
• Assess co-benefits (biodiversity, livelihoods) and risks (land tenure, leakage), ensuring alignment with FPIC (Free, Prior, Informed Consent) principles.
• 4. Methodology & Certification PathwayDetermine optimal carbon standard (e.g., Verra REDD+ vs. ARR, Gold Standard) based on project goals, land-use dynamics, and financial viability.
• Outline certification steps, including:
• - Methodology selection (e.g., VM0007 for REDD+, VM0042 for ARR).
• - Data gaps and MRV (Monitoring, Reporting, Verification) requirements.
• - Cost-benefit analysis of certification options.
• 5. Feasibility Report & Next StepsDeliver a decision-ready report including:
• - Recommended project type (REDD+/ARR) and justification.
• - Cost projections, risk assessment, and stakeholder mapping.
• - Roadmap for full project development (if viable), including timelines and budget estimates.

Requirements

• Experience Required:Experience in forest carbon projects, with proven expertise in feasibility studies, certification (Verra and/or Gold Standard), and carbon accounting in emerging markets.
• Hands-on experience conducting deforestation baseline studies, carbon stock assessments, and community engagement (DRC or Central Africa experience highly preferred).
• Demonstrated application of both REDD+ and ARR methodologies (e.g., Verra VM0007/VM0042, Gold Standard GS4GG/LUF).
• Familiarity with requirements of major carbon buyers (e.g., LEAF Coalition, World Bank Carbon Funds) and bilateral donors (e.g., NORAD, USAID) for both standards.Technical Requirements:
• Technical Requirements:Carbon quantification: Proficiency in remote sensing (GIS, Earth Engine), forest inventory plots, and IPCC Tier 2/3 modelling.
• ESG integration: Ability to align projects with IFC Performance Standards and Equator Principles, including FPIC (Free, Prior, Informed Consent) processes for both Verra and Gold Standard.
• Certification process: End-to-end knowledge of PDD (Project Design Document) development, validation audits, and MRV systems for both Verra and Gold Standard.
• Soft SkillsExceptional stakeholder management capabilities, with proven ability to navigate complex land-use dynamics with governments, communities, and private landowners.
• Comfort working in remote, resource-constrained environments with intermittent data availability.
• Superior written communication skills for developing high-quality briefs, reports, and presentations for executive audiences.

Working Arrangement:

Location: Remote, with ~2 weeks in DRC for ground validation (client covers expenses)

Language : Bilingual (French/English): Fluent in technical report writing (English) and field-level French for community consultations.

Terms of agreement:

Required start date: ASAP

Contracting period: 2 months (pre-feasibility), with potential 4-month follow-up.