Senior Program Officer, Supply Chain Innovation

A day with Verra’s collaborative Innovations Team might include:

• Adapting existing VCS rules and infrastructure to support corporate inventory accounting, including drafting new standards and guidance, and adapting methodologies.
• Leading meetings with key external stakeholders (e.g., claims setting organizations, corporates, NGOs and industry/sector level experts) to investigate evolving corporate inventory accounting rules, practices, and associated claims, and to pilot preliminary versions of the new Scope 3 Program.
• Supporting Supply Chain Innovation Team meetings focused on developing Verra standards and methodologies to support the accounting of corporate GHG interventions.
• Exploring new, and adapting existing approaches for monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) of GHG reduction and removal projects within supply chains (e.g., Scope 3 interventions).
• Engaging internal staff to coach teams on the new program, and to investigate alignment, barriers, and solutions.
• Representing Verra’s Scope 3 Program at conferences, workshops, and events.

Specific functions you will be responsible for leading:

• Supporting the development and launch of a new Scope 3 Program, in collaboration with other Verra staff, by building on the VCS and other Verra standards, guidance, tools, and programs.
• Managing a consultant to adapt a VCS methodology for use in the Scope 3 Program.
• Consulting with stakeholders to identify how the Scope 3 Program and adapted methodologies could support and scale Scope 3 interventions in corporate supply chains.
• Designing and managing the implementation of a subset of pilot projects to test the efficacy of proposed Scope 3 Program design and an adapted VCS methodology for corporate Scope 3 interventions in one or more of: agriculture, forestry, manufacturing, transportation, materials, construction, or potentially other sector.

You bring with you:

• At least two years of relevant professional experience, preferably focused on corporate GHG inventory accounting.
• A relevant university degree (e.g. environmental science, engineering, GHG accounting, environmental policy, sustainability, natural sciences). A master’s degree would be advantageous.
• Technical background and demonstrated understanding and experience of greenhouse gas claims, target-setting and accounting standards and guidance, particularly, familiarity with the WRI/WBCSD Greenhouse Gas Protocol corporate accounting standards/guidance, ISO 14064-1, and/or Science-Based Targets Initiative.
• Experience working with environmental standards, ideally the Verified Carbon Standard.
• Track record of successfully navigating complex, interconnected and evolving policies and frameworks. An ability to think creatively and work collaboratively in a solution-oriented manner is essential. Being comfortable with uncertainty in an emerging field is necessary.
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative, work independently, be persistent, and prioritize. Project management experience is an asset.
• An open mindset and cultural awareness to learn from stakeholders and partners from different countries, cultures, sectors and standpoints.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Fluency in English is essential.

In this role, you will grow and expand your expertise by:

• Working at the cutting edge of designing a new program to drive finance towards high-impact activities that tackle some of the most pressing environmental issues of our day.
• Creating approaches that are both highly credible and practical to implement.
• Researching and applying policies, standards, guidance and stakeholder actions pertaining to Scope 3 targets and interventions, and applying your research to inform Scope 3 Program design decisions.
• Expanding your network of professionals working on Scope 3 interventions and related sustainable development initiatives.
• Working with a dynamic, committed, and focused team of professionals from around the world.

You will know you are successful if:

• You are seen as a go-to resource for the Scope 3 Program by Verra staff.
• You successfully lead the implementation of one or more pilot projects and incorporate the findings into the design of a credible and practical Scope 3 Program.
• Stakeholders consistently express positive feedback regarding your ability to find credible, workable, and creative solutions to challenges in Scope 3 interventions accounting and to scaling climate action in corporate supply chains.
• You are seen as a reliable member of the Scope 3 Innovation Team by your peers and manager.