Carbon Technical Specialist

Professional Diversity Network

The Nature Conservancy

What We Can Achieve Together:

The Nature Conservancy is dedicated to achieving high environmental and climate integrity in our carbon projects, as well as unlocking new Natural Climate Solutions (NCS) pathways, geographies, and business models. As part of the multidisciplinary Global Carbon Markets (GCM) team, the Carbon Technical Specialist supports field programs worldwide in planning, designing, and implementing high-integrity carbon projects. This position requires a strong technical background in developing high-integrity NCS carbon projects, accompanied by project management skills. The Carbon Technical Specialist will collaborate with TNC staff and partner organizations to bring promising ideas to fruition, helping to address the triple crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and equitable development.

The Carbon Technical Specialist will also provide technical support to guarantee that projects meet TNC's criteria for high-quality, high-integrity carbon credits. They will manage the feasibility assessment and design of TNC carbon projects, assuming key responsibilities that include project planning and tracking, project-specific team leadership, budget design and management, time management, and project closure, among other tasks. Additionally, the Carbon Technical Specialist may also engage with Validation and Verification Bodies (VVBs) to support the validation and verification processes, facilitating the exchange of findings and response rounds with the VVBs and the carbon standard.

The Carbon Technical Specialist will be responsible for coordinating relevant internal processes to ensure adherence to TNC's requirements for carbon projects across the Conservancy. They may serve as an advisor to TNC's Carbon Project Review Committee to evaluate and ensure adherence to TNC's guidelines for high-quality carbon credits.

This is a 2-year term position with potential opportunities for extension. This position involves domestic and international travel (up to 25% of time). The location for this position is flexible for countries where TNC has existing staff/offices. No relocation, visa, or immigration assistance is available with this position. Candidates who do not meet all the desired qualifications but have a passion for addressing climate change through the power of nature are encouraged to apply.

We're Looking for You:

This is an exceptional career opportunity for a highly motivated and capable individual seeking to join the world's leading conservation organization.

The Carbon Technical Specialist will be responsible for:

Technical Project Leadership: Provide expert technical guidance, analysis, and support throughout the entire lifecycle of Natural Climate Solution (NCS) carbon credit projects, from initial feasibility assessment and design to development and implementation.

Project Management & Oversight: Manage assigned NCS carbon projects through feasibility and design stages, including planning, budgeting, team structuring, progress tracking, and risk mitigation.

Capacity Building & Training: Facilitate knowledge transfer and build internal and external stakeholder capacity through technical training, presentations, and ongoing support for TNC global, regional, and local teams.

Tool Development & Optimization: Design, develop, and support the creation of essential applications, guidelines, templates, and tools to streamline and enhance the evaluation, feasibility assessment, design, and development phases of NCS carbon credit projects.

Standard & Methodology Selection: Guide project teams in selecting and applying the most appropriate high-quality carbon standards and methodologies to ensure project integrity and maximize the impact of carbon credits.

Validation & Verification Support: Provide comprehensive support for project validation and verification, including the preparation of required documentation (e.g., Project Description Documents, Monitoring Reports) and engagement with Validation and Verification Bodies (VVBs).

External Engagement & Representation: Represent the TNC Global Carbon Markets team in internal and external events and meetings, and support the evaluation, selection, and engagement with third-party consultants, developers, partners, and auditors.

Risk Management & Quality Assurance: Advise on risk identification and mitigation strategies to uphold the highest quality criteria for carbon credits.

Strategic Technical Integration: Apply cross-disciplinary knowledge to support overall program objectives, making strategic technical decisions based on thorough analysis, experience, and contextual understanding.

What You'll Bring:

Bachelor's degree in natural science, forestry, geography, conservation, ecology, or a related field, and 4 years related experience, or equivalent combination.

Demonstrated technical experience in evaluating, designing, and implementing NCS carbon projects (Afforestation, Reforestation and Revegetation, Agricultural Land Management, Improved Forest Management, Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation, Avoided Conversion of Grasslands and Shrublands, and Wetlands Restoration and Conservation).

Experience working for carbon standards, VVBs, and/ or carbon project developers.

Experience managing complex carbon projects or strategic initiatives at different stages of development (including project planning, initiation, implementation, monitoring, and closing) in an unstructured environment.

Experience with the carbon project development cycle and NCS carbon accounting methodologies from high-quality carbon standards and compiling them into cohesive reports and recommendations (such as feasibility assessment reports or project design documents).

Experience researching, critically analyzing, and evaluating information from divergent sources and compiling it into reports and recommendations for strategy and action.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

Desired Qualifications

Demonstrated scientific knowledge of forest, grassland, and/ or wetland conservation/ restoration initiatives, and/ or regenerative agriculture initiatives applied in carbon projects.

Ability to write and speak in languages other than English.

Ability to work in a multicultural and multidisciplinary context.

Ability to work well in a highly matrixed, decentralized and collaborative organization. Possesses strong interpersonal skills and political savvy. Must be a team player.

Salary Information:

This position may be based in any country where TNC has an established entity, taking into consideration legal restrictions, such as non-national ratios and immigration processing times. For U.S. based applicants only, the starting pay range for this position is generally within the range of $76,454 - $106,650 for annual base salary and is based on location, qualifications, specific skills, and experience. This range only applies to candidates whose country of employment is the USA. For all other applicants, pay ranges will be in local currency, the pay range will be based on the local labor market, and not tied to the above pay range. Your geographic location will be confirmed during the recruitment and used to determine your actual pay range. Additionally, for all applicants, actual pay will fall within a range based on a variety of factors including, for example, the candidate's qualifications, specific skills, and experience.

Who We Are:

The Nature Conservancy's mission is to protect the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world's toughest challenges so that we can create a world in which people and nature thrive. We're rooted in our mission and guided by our values, which include respect for all people, communities, and cultures. Whether it's career development, flexible schedules, or a rewarding mission, there's many reasons to love life inside TNC. Want a better insight to TNC? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube to hear stories from staff or visit Glassdoor.

One goal is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that all our colleagues around the globe feel a sense of belonging and that their unique contributions to our mission are valued. In addition to the requirements in our job postings, we recognize that people come with talent and experiences outside of a job and consider each applicant's unique experience. Please apply - we'd love to hear from you. To quote a popular saying at TNC, "you'll join for the mission, and stay for the people."

What We Bring:

Since 1951, TNC has been doing work you can believe in. Through grassroots action, we have grown from a small non-profit into one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world. Thanks to more than 1 million members, over 400 scientists, and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff and partners, we impact conservation around the world!

TNC offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, a 401(k) plan with an 8% employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, other life and work well-being benefits. Learn more about our Benefits and Perks here.

We're proud to offer a flexible work environment that supports of the health and well-being of the people we employ.

Our recruiting process includes a rolling interview process to ensure we engage applicants in a timely manner. This means we may review applications in the order in which they are received. Once a strong candidate pool is identified, the role will be unposted. The timeline may vary depending on the expressed interest in the role, so we highly encourage candidates to apply as soon as possible.

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to equal employment opportunity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of all backgrounds, beliefs, and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization is a priority, and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.

The successful applicant must meet the requirements of The Nature Conservancy's background screening process.

Do you have military experience? Visit our U.S. Military Skills Translator to match your military experience with our current job openings!

TNC is committed to offering accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please send a note to with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.

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