Location Amsterdam
Job-type Permanent
Salary €Competitive
Reference 17415

Are you a carbon developer looking to join a purpose-led organisation with a transformative mission?

Commonland Foundation is an Amsterdam-based, internationally operating organisation working on large-scale and long-term landscape restoration initiatives with the mission to transform 100 million ha of degraded landscapes before 2040 together with other landscape partners, local communities, farmers, policymakers, companies and investors.

As a Carbon Project Developer, you will play a vital role in all technical aspects of Commonland's carbon projects, which are mainly related to Landscape Restoration (Agriculture, Forestry, and Other Land Use/ AFOLU) and includes Improved Cookstoves (ICS) for households and small and medium-sized enterprises.

You will be responsible for developing new carbon methodologies, developing carbon offset projects (Nature Based Solutions; NBS) under a suitable carbon standard and as well supporting the implementation (MRV) of these projects in the field.

Your responsibilities:

  • The further development, implementation, and management of the "Commonland African Improved Cookstove Programme" and other carbon projects, related to landscape restoration and sustainable development, such as Afforestation, Reforestation and Revegetation (ARR), Sustainable Agricultural Land Management (SALM).

  • Additionally, any other complementary carbon project model that would benefit the sustainable development of local communities would also be covered in this role.

  • Leading/drafting feasibility studies, new carbon accounting methodologies, Project Design Documents (PDD), and supporting Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) under different carbon standards (The Gold Standard, Verra, Plan Vivo or any other eligible international, national, or local carbon standard scheme).

  • The development and implementation of a robust methodology for the certification of Commonland's 4 Returns carbon co-benefits to ensure biodiversity, social outcomes and to create a price-premium for carbon credits.

  • Define and plan content and structure to support the certification of the carbon projects: work plans, work schedules, budgets and deliverables, and schedule technical reviews and quality checks.

  • Support the Head of Carbon to prepare project proposals and deliverables in consultation with the Landscape Development & Support (LDS) team and stakeholders.

  • Keep the team members (collaborators) informed of their progress in the project and remind them to stay within the time and budget agreed.

  • Conduct site visits and travel to project locations whenever needed.

  • Be a key point of contact and maintain a good relationship with the team members inside the organisation, carbon standards, project owners, authorities (national, regional, and local), clients, validation and verification bodies, and other counterparts.

  • Create understanding among colleagues and stakeholders of what is needed on the technical side to develop carbon projects.

  • Setting up (and follow up) internal procedures regarding all carbon projects.

  • Ensure that all collaborators receive ongoing training and that they have the necessary skills and tools to perform their work.

Your profile:

You are highly passionate and thrive in an environment where three core values are lived every day: You empower each other and perform in an honest & compassionate environment where words are put into action.

You are copped with the capacity to solve complex project-related challenges independently, you are rigorous, and organised, and feel comfortable working in an international and multicultural team.

You also bring in:

  • An academic background in Agriculture, Forestry, Environmental Sciences, or any other relevant field of study.

  • Minimum of 5 years of experience in carbon offset project development, carbon methodology design, and carbon project implementation within Nature-Based Solutions and Improved Cookstoves Projects.

  • Excellent knowledge of carbon standards and carbon offset methodologies (CDM, Gold Standard, VCS, Plan Vivo…) in the NBS sector.

  • Strong existing networks in the NBS field.

  • Experience and interest in stakeholders' engagement and management.

  • Skills in statistics, database management, GIS, and remote sensing are highly appreciated.

  • Excellent verbal and written proficiency in English. French, Spanish and Dutch would be a big plus.

Apply today to find out more.