Senior Director, Sectoral Crediting Standard for the ETA

Position Title: Senior Director, Sectoral Crediting Standard for the ETA

Location: Remote, USA

BUSINESS UNIT: Environmental Resources Trust (ERT)

Winrock International is a nonprofit organization that works with people in the United States and around the world to empower the disadvantaged, increase economic opportunity, and sustain natural resources. Winrock matches innovative approaches in agriculture, natural resources management, clean energy, and leadership development with the unique needs of its partners. By linking local individuals and communities with new ideas and technology, Winrock is increasing long-term productivity, equity, and responsible resource management to benefit the poor and disadvantaged of the world.

Environmental Resources Trust (ERT), a wholly-owned nonprofit subsidiary of Winrock, has been selected by the U.S. State Department, the Bezos Earth Fund and Rockefeller Foundation (the Partners in the Energy Transition Accelerator, ETA, announced at COP27) to develop and administer the sectoral carbon crediting certification standard used by the ETA. ERT was selected based on its experience operating both the American Carbon Registry (ACR) and the Architecture for REDD+ Transactions (ART). Founded in 1996, ACR has over two decades of unparalleled experience in development of rigorous, science-based carbon crediting standards and methodologies as well as operational experience in the oversight of high quality carbon project listing, verification, registration, credit issuance, serialization and on-line retirement reporting. Constituted in 2018 and with the publication of The REDD+ Environmental Excellence Standard (TREES) in 2021 and the launch of the LEAF Coalition, ART is emerging as the leading global standard for jurisdictional REDD+.

Both ACR and ART work in regulated and voluntary carbon markets. ACR is the leading Offset Project Registry (OPR) for the California Cap-and-Trade Program and an approved OPR for Washington State’s Cap-and-Invest Program. In the OPR role, ACR works with the relevant state regulatory agency to oversee the registration and issuance of compliance-eligible Registry Offset Credits, which once transitioned to compliance offset credits can be used by capped entities towards emission reductions obligations. ACR and ART are also both approved by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to supply credits to airlines to meet CORSIA targets and both have an MoU with the government of Singapore to supply credits for use towards government carbon tax obligations starting in 2024.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Senior Director MRV, for the Crediting Standard for the ETA provides technical expertise within ERT, including leadership of the technical development of first-of-a-kind sectoral crediting standard for the electric power sector. This includes leading the development of MRV requirements in coordination with an expert panel, working with emissions measurement and verification experts and relevant sector experts to develop the measurement, reporting and verification (MRV) structure and requirements for the standard including, protocols and requirements for monitoring, reporting and third-party verification requirements and eligibility criteria, mechanisms to address leakage, uncertainty, avoid double counting,

The Senior Director will have extensive expertise in measurement, monitoring, and reporting of power sector GHG emissions. This expertise will include significant experience in the development and implementation of measurement protocols, training and supervision of measurement and reporting professionals, training and credentialing for ISO accrediting, and significant field experience.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Serve as the Senior Director for the development of the sectoral crediting standard for the ETA including leading the development and implementation of the MRV requirements and procedures for crediting:

• Provide leadership for an iterative data/inventory standards and methods development process, including collaboration with pilot countries and with relevant international organizations.
• Lead an MRV expert panel consisting of inventory and measurement specialists that will contribute to the development and drafting of the MRV requirements for the standard(s).
• Lead the drafting and review of technical requirements for the standard.
• Engage with the expert community as part of the standards development process to ensure technical feasibility and alignment with, inter alia, National Inventory Reporting requirements under the Paris Agreement.
• Develop training materials for validation and verification bodies and lead training workshops.
• Engage with IAF forum member organizations (ANAB) on VVB accreditation for the standard.
• Engage in communications with partner(s) and funder(s) as well as external communications, as agreed and appropriate, regarding the standard development process/progress.
• Support the implementation of the (global) public stakeholder comment process.
• Ensure good governance including a transparent process to evaluate and resolve technical and policy issues identified during the public comment period and program implementation.
• Support implementation of a plan to socialize the program with key stakeholders to ensure market acceptance and uptake including appropriate outreach, communications and education efforts.
• Contribute to efforts for funding and implementation of selected opportunities.
• Help to secure important carbon market accreditations and approvals.
• Serve as an ERT representative in relevant global forums.

QUALIFICATIONS AND BACKGROUND

Education: Advanced degree in Environmental Science, Physical Sciences, Natural Sciences, Engineering, Forestry, Agriculture, or related field.

Experience:

• 20 + years of experience with emissions quantification and reporting in a regulatory context
• Demonstrated experience with development, implementation and emissions accounting and verification standards and protocols, software platforms, and continuous improvement.
• Experience conducting technical assessment of validation and verification bodies (VVBs) in relevant scopes and standards such as ISO 14065
• Experience working with cross-functional teams and government agencies.

Skills:

• Detail oriented with an interest in carbon markets and expertise in standards, methodologies, verification and registries.

• Demonstrated project management ability including tracking and meeting deadlines, budgeting and reporting for multiple activities.

• Comfortable working in a flexible, high-paced environment.

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team to manage workflow effectively and to track and meet deadlines for multiple tasks.

• Ability to consistently interact with others in a professional, courteous, and tactful manner, maintain a positive attitude, and work effectively in a team setting.

• Excellent interpersonal skills, impeccable integrity and trustworthiness, sense of humor, and diplomatic approach to problem solving.

• Strong speaking, presentation and written communication skills.

Other: Must be available to travel domestically and internationally for short-term assignments. Commitment to Winrock’s mission and interest in market-based approaches to reducing greenhouse gas emissions required.

The candidate may not require sponsorship to work in the U.S.

The salary range for this role is set between $190,000 and $200,000, with the majority of candidates typically landing within the midpoint of this range, there is an additional 10% contribution for a 403b annually and an 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

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