Carbon Pricing Officer

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. 

The Paris Agreement provides a comprehensive framework for signatory Parties to reach an ambitious commitment to limit the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2°C, and to pursue efforts to limit the increase to 1.5°C in a cooperative manner. The Paris Agreement covers a number of instruments including cooperative approaches under its Article 6, which allows for the potential development of international carbon transactions.

Article 6 allows countries to cooperate voluntarily in the implementation of their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) through the international transfer of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction units (or Mitigation Outcomes), with the Mitigation Outcomes achieved in one country counted towards the NDC targets of another in exchange for payment. Article 6 cooperative approaches provide a way in which international finance can be channeled to mitigation activities that face barriers to implementation, such as lack of accessible funding or lack of access to required technologies.

The Carbon Pricing Unit (CPU) of GGGI is implementing programs in over 20 GGGI Member and partner countries to scale up international carbon trading. International carbon trading under Article 6 stands to play a crucial role in achieving the long-term temperature goal adopted by Parties at COP21.

The Carbon Transaction Facility (CTF) is GGGI’s solution to the barriers that face countries who are seeking to participate in cooperative approaches under Article 6. The CTF, launched in October 2024, aims to accelerate global GHG emission reductions by catalyzing carbon trading under Article 6, helping to accelerate climate action and sustainable development.

The CTF is composed of two main pillars: the Article 6 Readiness Facility, and multiple Internationally Traded Mitigation Outcome (ITMO)-purchasing Carbon Funds. The Article 6 Readiness Facility is a multi-donor fund supporting readiness activities in host countries. The Carbon Funds are a series of individual funds for purchasing ITMOs.

In addition, GGGI country programs are increasingly incorporating carbon related technical support into earmarked funding projects. These may be part of a climate and carbon finance program, or within an NDC enhancement program. This creates the need for deliberate coordination between the Carbon Pricing Unit and the GGGI Country offices, offering support to country-based Program Managers by way of capacity building and knowledge sharing. This coordination supports the GGGI learning approach and allows Article 6 expertise to grow across a wider range of geographies. 

POSITION SUMMARY

The role of the Carbon Pricing Officer is to help address the growing demand for carbon pricing and support to access Article 6 markets by GGGI Member and partner countries by supporting different country teams as part of (1) delivery of the CTF Readiness Facility or Carbon Fund offering; (2) a specific technical assistance package and/or (3) global knowledge sharing.

The Carbon Pricing Officer will engage with other members of CPU team or directly with GGGI country teams at the early stage of resource mobilization, helping to shape the most appropriate offering for a country. As part of country-led earmarked projects or CTF Readiness projects, this entails leading or supporting the development and/or delivery of capacity building sessions, governance frameworks/institutional strengthening and potentially project pipeline development with Mitigation Activity Idea Notes (MAINs) and/or Mitigation Activity Design Documents (MADDs). Support may come in the form of leading the drafting and development of these products and/or managing consultants or consulting firms who may be developing them partly or wholly. Where appropriate, this may require transactional support through the CTF where appropriate mitigation activities are successfully matched with buyers through Carbon Funds.

The ideal candidate will have a good understanding of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement and carbon trading mechanisms such as the Clean Development Mechanism under the Kyoto Protocol or voluntary carbon markets. They must be curious, self-starters, quick learners and have a passion to understand the deeper detail of this emerging space. They will understand project management, and the mechanisms around engaging and managing external consultants and expert firms. Knowledge or experience of contract negotiations and/or trading will be valuable.

PURPOSE

The Carbon Pricing Officer will be part of the Carbon Pricing Unit (CPU) team, which supports key stakeholders in GGGI’s Member and partner countries to access Article 6 carbon markets. Through his / her contributions to technical assistance and project pipeline development, it is hoped that trades will be completed through the CTF. In this way, GGGI Members and partners will see additional funding to support increased climate ambition and delivery of GGGI strategic outcomes.

ENGAGEMENT

The Carbon Pricing Officer shall report to the deputy Head of the Carbon Pricing Unit, also based in our HQ in Seoul. S/He will provide technical advice on carbon to support GGGI Member and partner governments in the generation of enabling environments to allow for, and support, the development of carbon mitigation projects, programs and policy approaches in various economic sectors.   

DELIVERY

The Carbon Pricing Officer is expected to be a key technical expert in the Carbon Pricing Unit, offering support to countries directly or via GGGI project teams to enable them to access carbon trading under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. The Carbon Pricing Officer will work closely with CPU team members, GGGI country teams, and relevant stakeholders to contribute to specific work streams including but not limited to:

• Providing initial support to GGGI Member and partner countries through brief virtual awareness raising presentations or written reports.
• Work with CPU team members and/or GGGI country teams to lead or support resource mobilizing outputs, Readiness Project Idea Notes (PINs) or other proposal structures as required, using logical frameworks, narratives and Excel based budget structures.
• Lead technical work such as Readiness and Needs Assessments, legal advisory, operational manual design and /or transactional understanding capacity building – either directly or through country-based project teams.
• Support contracting and management of external expert consultants - where required - by developing or contributing to Terms of Reference, coordinating with team members to identify potential bidders and holding procurement information sessions if needed, supporting procurement on evaluation and selection process, including raising any issues on contracting.
• Manage the delivery under the contracts ensuring outputs are delivered on time and meet quality standard expectations.

• Lead the synthesis of learnings gathered from GGGI technical assistance work in countries to generate knowledge products to be published as GGGI guidance papers or to contribute to publications in partnership with other organizations.
• Generate learning material through PowerPoint or similar for capacity building and knowledge sharing efforts to be led by the officer or other CPU team members.
• Investigate and gather learnings and guidance on emerging areas related to the Article 6 carbon trading body of work for the CPU team such as Agreed Electronic Format (AEF) reporting requirements.
• Coordinate with different teams within GGGI to understand the potential for incorporation of Article 6 understanding within their work or implications of their work within Carbon Pricing Unit’s work.
• Work with CPU team members on the support of transactions under the CTF, from bilateral agreements to contractual sale of mitigation outcomes.   
• Support CTF reporting processes -when relevant - carried out in GGGI Member and partner countries. Identify technical implementation issues to ensure effective and efficient implementation of Readiness support and transaction completion.      
• Participate and represent GGGI in internal planning and discussion meetings, and external conferences, seminars, capacity building, and knowledge sharing programs.

REQUIREMENTS

QUALIFICATIONS

• Advanced degree (Master's) relevant to climate action and/or green investment or equivalent post graduate professional work experience
• A minimum of 2 years of international experience (living and working outside of home country). Candidates that do not have this experience may be considered for a national grade position.
• Excellent ability to produce high quality written reports in English is fundamental.
• Excellent ability to synthesize and summarize information in a clear, concise format (in English).
• Understanding of the climate change space (trends, priorities)
• Preferably 5-7 years of experience in carbon markets (CDM, VCM, or similar).
• Experience in delivering technical assistance, capacity building or similar preferred.

FUNCTIONAL

• Understanding of, and a passion for, the international carbon markets, differences between domestic and international markets, as well as compliance and voluntary markets.
• Understanding of scaled up mitigation approaches, Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMAs) or Program of Activities is an asset.
• Understanding of international climate policy negotiations and related agreements (Kyoto Protocol, Paris Agreement, Nationally Determined Contributions, CORSIA) and related concepts (additionality, environmental integrity, carbon budgets).
• Ability to 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.
• Strong written and oral communication and presentation skills in English, to prepare knowledge products (papers) and material for the governments both in written format and in person. 
• Experience in international organizations and/or in the public sector, working with developing countries is a strong advantage. Record on participation on projects delivering analytical and technical advisory services on design / implementation of projects / policies aiming to incentivize reductions of GHG emissions to developing countries is a plus, though not a key requirement.
• 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.
• 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 proactive 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

WORKING CONDITIONS

Determination of base salary is subject to candidate's experience, academic background and internal equity. GGGI provides 15% of base salary towards retirement plan/long-term savings, 27 days of annual leave, and private health insurance that covers dental and vision.

GGGI is committed to providing a work environment that is sufficiently flexible to accommodate diverse life-cycle challenges and assist Staff members to achieve a better balance between work and personal/family commitments, thus ensuring high performance, long-term productivity, and well-being of Staff members.