Senior Sustainability Specialist for Carbon Market Initiatives

The United Nations Development Programme is seeking a Senior Sustainability Specialist for Carbon Market Initiatives in Pretoria, South Africa. The role involves leading carbon market assessments, developing pricing mechanisms, managing project portfolios, and engaging with private sector stakeholders. Responsibilities include technical leadership, programme management, resource mobilization, and knowledge management. Candidates should have expertise in carbon markets, climate finance, and strong analytical skills.
Job Overview
A highly skilled and experienced Programme Analyst is required to support the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in its efforts to promote sustainable development and reduce greenhouse gas emissions through the Africa Sustainable Finance Hub.

About the Role
The Programme Analyst will be responsible for leading carbon market opportunity assessments, conducting feasibility studies, and developing carbon pricing mechanisms and methodologies. They will also provide technical guidance on Article 6 implementation and readiness programs, as well as analyze carbon credit standards and verification processes.

Key Responsibilities
• Technical Leadership: Lead carbon market opportunity assessments, conduct feasibility studies, develop carbon pricing mechanisms and methodologies, analyze carbon credit standards and verification processes, and develop Terms of reference to hire companies and individuals to boost capacity in carbon market and related projects.
• Programme Management: Manage carbon market project portfolio, monitor implementation progress and results, prepare technical and financial reports and workplans, track performance indicators and project metrics, and supporting the UNDP country offices in screening carbon market projects.
• Partnerships & Resource Mobilization: Engage private sector stakeholders and investors, conduct due diligence process, build public-private partnerships for carbon projects, support resource mobilization strategies, coordinate with development partners and donors, and develop concept notes and pitches for resources mobilization.
• Support Coordination with Development Partners: Ensure compliance with UNDP procedures for partnerships including development of all required legal documents for partnership agreements including letters of agreement memorandums of understanding, etc. monitoring compliance with agreements and ensuring value for money, coordinate and prepare ad hoc thematic and substantive reports/briefing notes/briefs, ensure project communications activities in close collaboration with ASFH Communications team.
• Knowledge Management: Document best practices and lessons learned, develop communication material from the Opinion Pieces, success stories on the work of ASFH, develop and share capacity building materials and tools, support regional knowledge exchange platforms, contribute to learning initiatives and training/workshop programs, and draft the MOUs and other agreement with partners and donor's.

About Us
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) works to eradicate poverty and reduce inequalities through the sustainable development of nations. The Africa Sustainable Finance Hub is a key initiative of UNDP that aims to promote sustainable development and reduce greenhouse gas emissions through the development and implementation of climate-resilient infrastructure projects.

Requirements
To be successful in this role, you will need to have a strong background in carbon market mechanisms and trading, climate finance and investments, project/programme management, partnership building and resource mobilization, private sector engagement and collaboration. You will also need to have excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, as well as the ability to communicate complex ideas effectively. Experience working in African context in climate change and energy is desirable. A master's degree in climate change, climate and development, sustainability, environmental science, energy economics, or related field is required.