Senior Officer, SPAR6C Country Delivery Manager

INTRODUCTION TO GGGI

The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) is a treaty-based international, inter-governmental organization dedicated to supporting and promoting strong, inclusive and sustainable economic growth in developing countries and emerging economies. To learn more please visit about GGGI web page. 

BACKGROUND

The Paris Agreement provides a comprehensive framework for signatory Parties to reach an ambitious commitment to limit the increase in global average temperature to well below 2°C, and to pursue efforts to limit the increase to 1.5°C in a cooperative manner. This framework covers several instruments including cooperative approaches under Article 6 which allows signatory countries (and private sector entities authorized by these countries) to engage in international carbon transactions.

The Carbon Pricing Unit (CPU) of GGGI is a global leader in Article 6 international carbon trading technical assistance, implementing several programs since 2019 related to preparing and supporting countries in trading, opening up international carbon markets. The resultant flow of transactions is envisaged to build a robust and reliable global price for carbon, something many areas of the private sector have long called for as a way to motivate the transformational change needed to achieve the ambitious goals of Paris.

The “Supporting Preparedness for Article 6 Cooperation” or SPAR6C Program is one of GGGI’s largest technical assistance and capacity building projects. Funded by the German Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) through the International Climate Initiative (IKI), the 5-year (2022-2027) program supports Colombia, Pakistan, Thailand, Zambia to kick-start the implementation of Article 6 activities. The overall objective is to facilitate readiness of countries to participate in cooperative approaches under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement by engaging the private sector and working closely with governments. This program will enable the development of the international carbon market created by Article 6, leading to cost-efficient, flexible, high integrity carbon markets with positive, transformational sustainability impacts.

The program consists of six work packages, of which four are country focused and two are more global in nature. In-country implementation centers on three work streams: 1) Medium and Long-term emissions planning, 2) Governance frameworks and readiness to transact, and 3) Design of pilot mitigation activities. Capacity building and training activities will be conducted as needed to ensure stakeholders are prepared in each area. In the remaining two work packages, best practice tools and guidance to implement cooperative approaches will be developed under the Article 6 Implementation Toolbox and the multi-directional knowledge exchange platform, the Community of Practice for Article 6 Implementing Countries (COP-ASIC).  

The SPAR6C Program works closely with national government and private sector stakeholders, as well as local experts and research institutions, to improve national readiness for Article 6 participation. It is implemented in close partnership with four organizations, the UNEP Copenhagen Climate Centre (UNEP-CCC), GFA Consulting, Carbon Limits and Kommunalkredit Public Consulting.

The GGGI Carbon Pricing team currently consists of 17 staff members, with a further 15 staff working through the matrix management structure on carbon. It is a global team with a vision to open Article 6-aligned carbon markets to provide countries access to funding needed to implement their green growth paths and economic efficiencies that markets enable, helping in the efforts to meet the global climate goals. We believe in excellence in our delivery and aligning to the highest levels of environmental integrity; our track record has enabled us to become a global leader in this space. We are a diverse and participatory team that believes in a culture of growth. Our goal is to drive delivery of first to market transactions and to scale these by supporting our growing number of members and partner countries to access international Article 6-aligned carbon markets.  

POSITION SUMMARY

The SPAR6C Country Delivery Manager will lead project implementation and consortium coordination for the Supporting Preparedness for Article 6 Cooperation program’s activities in partner countries of Colombia, Pakistan, Thailand and Zambia. S/he will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day activities of program implementation on behalf of GGGI including the monitoring and reporting of delivery progress. S/he will provide technical and operational guidance internally as well as externally to ensure timely delivery of program outputs across the four countries within the program in close cooperation with the program’s consortium partners.

The ideal candidate will have experience as a project manager for climate change mitigation and/or carbon markets projects implemented in one or more countries, and experience working with consortia or a broad range of stakeholders to achieve project results. Strong understanding of Article 6 carbon markets and/or experience managing multi-year IKI projects is highly preferred.

PURPOSE

The SPAR6C Country Delivery Manager will be responsible for overseeing the effective and efficient planning, delivery and reporting of program outputs in the four SPAR6C countries. This position requires a mixture of technical and operational capabilities. From a technical perspective, the SPAR6C Country Delivery Manager will be responsible for advising on recruitment and procurement of technical expertise, final review and approval of deliverables from technical experts, and support for the review of technical materials, ensuring alignment with the relevant project documents and results framework.  

The SPAR6C Country Delivery Manager must also be a skilled communicator and coordinator. S/he will be responsible for all operational aspects of the program including effective management of internal and external resources, consultants, and consortium partners, and for providing oversight to financial and administrative processes, ensuring compliance with donor agreement and GGGI regulations. S/he will advise management on how to address identified delivery risks and how to adaptively manage the program’s design and implementation. In addition, the SPAR6C Country Delivery Manager will also ensure that experiences and best practices are documented and effectively communicated, ensuring synergy and alignment of program activities internally and visibility and awareness of results externally.

 

ENGAGEMENT

The SPAR6C Country Delivery Manager will be part of the Carbon Pricing Unit within the Investment and Policy Solutions Division (IPSD) of GGGI. S/he will report to the Lead of Readiness, building effective networks with the other Senior Officer, Delivery Managers in CPU, and the SPAR6C consortium partners. S/he will manage at least one staff directly within the program team and through the matrix management structure will direct in country staff and consultants to ensure effective delivery of the program outputs.

The SPAR6C Country Delivery Manager will be part of the Carbon Pricing Unit (CPU) team, S/he will need to communicate and coordinate with a broad range of project stakeholders, including country implementation teams, government partners, donor representatives, the SPAR6C Project Steering Committee and others. S/he will also work closely with other carbon programs being implemented by the Carbon Pricing Unit, including but not limited to the Carbon Transaction Facility to maximize synergies between the different programs to maximize efficiency of resource allocation.

 

DELIVERY

The SPAR6C Country Delivery Manager is expected to coordinate activity delivery teams and organize work outputs for optimal delivery. This will require systematic and regular adaptation of procedures to meet GGGI’s project management delivery standards, and IKI reporting requirements. His/her responsibilities may include but are not limited to the following:

• Analyze risks and opportunities associated with project implementation, including political, financial, technical and/or other operational risks in line with Carbon Pricing Unit’s project risk management framework
• Assess gaps and opportunities for supporting government partners with new technical assistance and capacity building in the Article 6 carbon market sector, and identify course corrections for existing project activities in collaboration with consortium partners
• Coordinate the development of technical assistance concept notes to meet the context and needs of the partner country, as well as the results plan for the project
• Engage with government and consortium partners to regularly assess project support needs, liaise on quality and quantity of delivery, and make recommendations for course correction
• Collaborate and engage in external outreach with peer organizations active in Article 6/carbon markets to coordinate efforts and sharing information about SPAR6C lessons learned, including representing SPAR6C at national and global events
• Support engagement with donor agencies and preparations for steering committee meetings, including planning and documenting outcomes
• Manage project delivery according to GGGI’s project cycle management system and other processes adapted to meet the needs of the SPAR6C project.
• Ensure effective implementation of in-country activities for SPAR6C, developing, reviewing and revising budgets, work plans and monitoring and evaluation
• Ensure on-time delivery of project progress reports for internal and external stakeholders, in close collaboration with consortium partners
• Identify project delivery issues and ensure effective coordination of project activities and resources to ensure attainment of objectives against established timeframes.
• Coordinate the planning and implementation of SPAR6C communications and visibility activities
• Support and encourage the positive and open culture of growth in the CPU team
• Manage staff through onboarding, KPI setting, Annual Performance Reviews, Career Progression. Ensure regular 1:1 meeting to guide staff and ensure well-being.
• Contribute to further activities related to GGGI’s Carbon Pricing work
• Actively participate in CPU team meetings to share knowledge and learn from others.
• Participate in external events as and when requested to share GGGI’s work to the wider carbon community and beyond.

REQUIREMENTS:

QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree relevant to climate action, carbon markets, and/or environmental policies design. Doctoral degree would be advantageous.
• Preferably 5 to 7 years of experience in international and country-level work experience
• Proven track record in project management, including planning, reporting and financial management.
• Minimum of two years of internation experience; living and working outside of home country. Internships, Volunteer work, and academic experiences will not be considered. Candidates that do not fulfill this requirement can be considered for a national position.
• Strong experience in coordination across multiple countries and time zones, and hybrid-teams in consortium or partnership
• Deep knowledge of carbon markets and international carbon pricing/trading, particularly under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement is strongly preferred
• Well established networks among key individuals and organizations related to carbon pricing, capacity building and mitigation project origination, an advantage.
• Sound managerial skills with proven capacity to recruit, manage and motivate project team members in complex, highly decentralized and matrixed organizational settings
• Experience in managing German ODA funded projects, especially IKI, preferred

FUNCTIONAL

• Understanding of carbon markets, differing market constructs such as domestic trading schemes and international carbon trading as governed by Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, as well as the potential use of voluntary standards.
• Understanding of international climate policy negotiations and related agreements (Kyoto Protocol, Paris Agreement, CORSIA) and related concepts (additionality, environmental integrity, carbon budgets) and how these relate to Nationally Determined Contributions to ensure environmental integrity.
• Strong knowledge on co-benefits estimation and the establishment of social and environmental safeguards (“do no harm” approach).
• Ability to initiate, review, synthesize information and produce high quality written reports (in English).
• Independent, with ability to establish priorities in a time-sensitive environment and meet deadlines with strong attention to detail.
• Convincing written and oral communication and presentation skills in English, to prepare material for the governments both in written format and in person. 
• Solid skills using Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams)
• An excellent command of spoken and written English. Knowledge of Spanish or other relevant languages is an asset.
• Calm, diplomatic, positive, able to effectively work under pressure in a challenging context with a diverse and dispersed set of stakeholders.

CORPORATE

• Project management: Proven ability to independently plan and complete projects that deliver quality outcomes in a timely and inclusive manner.
• Proactive nature: Demonstratable ability to produce initial guiding material to lead a project and share knowledge.
• Communication: Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to deliver products or presentations that are concise, easy to understand and influential.
• Innovative: Ability to apply knowledge and experience in new contexts and environments.
• Influencing change: Track record of engaging effectively to secure buy in, underpinned by strong listening, trust building, influencing, facilitation and negotiation skills.
• Team player: Capacity to be selfless team member, to operate across organizational boundaries, and maintain a resilient, positive, and results-focused mindset in a dynamic environment.
• Promotes an organizational culture of trust, transparency, respect, and partnership

 

 

 

Child protection – GGGI is committed to child protection, irrespective of whether any specific area of work involves direct contact with children. GGGI’s Child Protection Policy is written in accordance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child.