Climate Change Senior Analyst, Carbon Markets

UN Atlas; South Africa; Remote; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Job summary

UN Atlas is seeking a Senior Technical Advisor for a remote, home-based role in South Africa to help operationalize Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. The position focuses on developing regulations, institutional arrangements, and guidance for cooperative approaches (6.2/6.4) and enhancing the domestic registry and MRV systems.

The role requires strong policy analysis, project management, and stakeholder engagement skills, with experience in carbon markets and SA climate policy.

Qualifications

• Requires at least four years of general working experience in climate finance with a focus on carbon markets.
• Experience in policy analysis, carbon mitigation, and monitoring systems is essential.
• Strong knowledge of South Africa's climate policies and financing mechanisms is needed.

Responsibilities

• Support operationalization of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement and related cooperative approaches (6.2/6.4).
• Draft guidance on adjustments and assist in naming a national Article 6 authority.
• Analyze introduction of an Emissions Trading System (ETS) and MRV requirements.
• Build capacity and raise awareness through training materials and workshops.
• Scope a domestic ETS and prepare a report on the EU CBAM implications for SA.

Skills

Climate Change

Policy Analysis

Project Management

Stakeholder Engagement

MRV

Job description

Work arrangement Remote / Home-based

Organizational Context

The UNOPS Global Portfolios Office (GPO) supports sustainable development, climate action, and peacebuilding globally. The Water, Environment and Climate (WEC) portfolio within GPO manages significant funds for climate initiatives. The NDC Partnership, jointly hosted by WRI, UNOPS, and UNFCCC, strengthens capacity for country-led climate action and aligns partner support with national priorities to advance the Paris Agreement.

Job Purpose

This Senior Technical Advisor role, home-based in South Africa, is crucial for supporting the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) in operationalizing its domestic carbon market framework. The purpose is to provide expert technical and policy support for the development and implementation of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, including Article 6.2 and 6.4 cooperative approaches. The role will also contribute to the analysis of carbon pricing policies, the enhancement of the domestic registry, and the scoping of a domestic Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) and Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). Ultimately, the position aims to build stakeholder capacity and readiness for engaging in international carbon markets, aligning South Africa's climate mitigation efforts with its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) and the Paris Agreement.

Responsibilities

The Senior Technical Advisor will provide comprehensive support for the operationalization of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, including developing regulations, institutional arrangements, and authorization procedures for cooperative approaches (6.2 and 6.4). This involves assisting in drafting guidance on corresponding adjustments and supporting the designation of a national Article 6 authority. The role will also focus on integrating and enhancing South Africa's Domestic Registry to accommodate Article 6.2 and 6.4 activities, ensuring interoperability and compliance with Paris Agreement rules. Furthermore, the advisor will conduct analyses on the effects of introducing an Emissions Trading System (ETS), examining economic, environmental, and administrative implications, and assessing Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) requirements. Capacity building and awareness-raising for stakeholders on Article 6 are key, involving the development of training materials and the facilitation of workshops. Support will also be provided for the practical implementation of the Article 6 framework, including reviewing project proposals and coordinating with relevant authorities. Finally, the role includes scoping a domestic ETS, examining international best practices, market design options, and transition scenarios, as well as preparing a scoping report on the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and its implications for South Africa.

Work Experience

Requires at least four years of general working experience in climate finance, with a minimum of three years focused on carbon markets (compliance or voluntary). Experience in policy analysis, carbon mitigation, and monitoring systems is essential. Strong knowledge of South Africa's climate policies and financing mechanisms is needed. Experience with Article 6, the EU-ETS, and CBAM frameworks is desirable.

Skills

Climate Change, Policy Analysis, Project Management, Resource Management, Stakeholder Engagement, Mobilization, Effective Communication, Carbon Markets, Carbon Pricing, Emissions Trading Systems (ETS), Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV).

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