Technical Specialist, Ecosystem Services Unit (Eco)

Position Title: Technical Specialist, Ecosystem Services Unit (ECO) 

Location: VA Office or US Hybrid

Department: Environment and Energy

Unit:Ecosystem Services

POSITION SUMMARY

The Technical Specialist services as a technical officer and contributes to proposals and business development efforts across ECO team projects in the areas of GHG measurement and monitoring, climate change mitigation and adaptation, climate risk analysis, and ecosystem evaluation.

The Technical Specialist interacts with clients, conducts qualitative technical analyses, performs quantitative problem-solving, and collects and analyzes quantitative data.

Specific project activities may include: 

• Conducting GHG measurement and monitoring activities for companies, governments, and NGOs around the world. 
• Developing forest inventory design, carbon measurement, and monitoring protocols. 
• Building capacity building toolkits and training programs for ecosystem assessments.

• Creating decision-support tools for the measurement and monitoring of GHG emissions and Ecosystem Services in the land use and forestry sectors. 

This position may be based remotely within the United States but is expected to work East Coast hours (EST).

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

Major Responsibilities

• Contribute to the GHG measurement and monitoring, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and climate risk analysis projects. Perform calculations using greenhouse gas and activity data on AFOLU projects. Support critical thinking and innovative approaches, new analyses, and new analytical methods.
• Manage projects, ensuring timely production of high-quality deliverables/products.
• Prepare technical analysis reports, presentations, and other communication materials related to carbon accounting and project risk analysis, translating technical topics into terms that are meaningful to more diverse audiences.
• Maintain day-to-day client communications. Provide accurate, consistent, and coherent technical guidance and explanations to clients and donors.
• Provide training to counterparts/stakeholders in the use of methods and internationally accepted best practices.
• Support proposal and workplan development.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Bachelor's degree in international development or environment-related field required. Graduate level degree in environmental science, forestry, natural resource management, ecology, geography, or a related discipline is strongly preferred.

Experience:

• Minimum 3-4 years of relevant experience in climate change adaptation/mitigation/resilience and GHG accounting for land use required. Additional years of experience are strongly preferred.
• Experience managing GHG accounting and Ecosystem Services projects in the agriculture and forestry fields.
• Knowledge of project carbon accounting and voluntary and compliance market protocols is needed.

• Knowledge of the GHG profiles and potential mitigation strategies of agricultural commodities is preferred.
• Familiarity and experience with REDD+ standards and Jurisdictional REDD+ is preferred.
• Working understanding or experience with preparing submissions or reporting against key climate corporate leadership standards (e.g., GHG Protocol, Science-Based Targets Initiative's standards) is preferred.
• Understanding of corporate supply chain management or procurement is preferred.
• Overseas experience with technical and/or operational issues related to GHG accounting and land use, or related issues strongly preferred. Experience working in developing countries is preferred.
• Demonstrated experience managing or supporting complex projects.

Position-Specific Skills:

• Strong analytical capability and problem-solving abilities required.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills are required, including effective public speaking and the ability to communicate complex issues both verbally and in written form.
• Ability to contribute to project operations and workflow effectively, to track and meet deadlines for multiple tasks, and work effectively under pressure.
• Ability to foster and maintain good working relationships with clients and partners, including non-profit organizations, the private sector, foundations, and multilateral organizations.
• Understanding of carbon quantification methodologies (e.g., for carbon credits/offset credits), carbon credit or other sustainability product certification standards, carbon credit project development, monitoring reporting and verification of GHG emissions impact.
• Demonstrated interest in contributing to technical innovation in climate change mitigation and adaptation, natural resource management, and biodiversity conservation.
• Proficiency in using Microsoft Office software, including Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint. Advanced proficiency in Excel is preferred.

Must be authorized to work in the United States.

This position has a salary range between $78,000 - $83,000 with an additional 10% 403b annual contribution and additional excellent benefits package.

Winrock is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunity for all people and value diversity and inclusiveness. Winrock recruits, employs, trains, promotes and compensates regardless of race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, family care status, or any other basis protected by law.
At Winrock we have a clear mission: Empower the disadvantaged, increase economic opportunity and sustain natural resources through unwavering dedication to accountability, equity, innovation, integrity and transformation.
Winrock knows that its success comes from the hard work and steadfast dedication of its diverse workforce. Winrock remains committed to maintaining diversity, inclusion and equity across the entire organization