The Senior Officer, Carbon Project Development will serve as both project manager for the Incubator project and as technical lead for the mitigation activities coming out of the Readiness Facility ensuring that high quality, Article 6-aligned MAINs are sent to the CTF Carbon Funds for consideration via the matchmaking process. Reporting to the Readiness Facility Manager, the Senior Officer will develop and oversee global or regional calls for proposals, manage and coordinate a team of internal and external experts across multiple GGGI divisions and country programs to ensure the successful development of ideas into high-quality MAINs through the Incubator. They will also be involved in quality assurance activities for MAINs seeking to enter matchmaking process from in-country Readiness Projects.
As project manager, the Senior Officer will lead the day-to-day implementation of the Incubator project and hold overall responsibility for pipeline development, quality assurance, and technical assistance delivery under the project – including engagement with mitigation activity developers and technical experts supporting the development of their activities. The Senior Officer will also coordinate with project teams implementing in-country CTF Readiness projects to reflect and share lessons learned around Article 6 mitigation activity origination.
As technical focal point for the Readiness Facility, the role requires strong technical and operational understanding of carbon finance, particularly the development of mitigation activities under Article 6, combined with sound project management skills and the ability to manage complex review processes. The Senior Officer must be able to evaluate the quality and feasibility of mitigation activity proposals, ensuring alignment with the integrity requirements of Article 6, CTF’s Governing Principles, Carbon Fund requirements, and guiding project proponents and country teams through the origination and matchmaking process. The role involves both internal coordination and external engagement, with a focus on maintaining high-quality delivery standards while supporting knowledge capture and process improvements across the Facility.
Lead the effective design, planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting MAIN Incubator project. This includes detailed work and budget planning, team management, risk management, and quality assurance in line with GGGI’s project cycle.
Develop and manage calls for proposals, shortlisting processes, and selection methodologies leading to the development and submission of high-quality mitigation activity idea notes for matchmaking to the CTF Carbon Funds.
Evaluate and oversee the process of providing quality assurance for mitigation activities and MAINs from the Incubator project, ensuring alignment with CTF Readiness Facility requirements.
Support the evaluation of MAINs generated by in-country readiness projects to ensure they meet quality standards for matchmaking.
Design and oversee delivery of technical assistance and capacity building support for project proponents as required by the project.
Promote adaptive management by documenting and integrating implementation lessons and course corrections.
ENGAGEMENT
The Senior Officer will report to the Head of Readiness, and serve as project manager for the Global Incubator project, and play an important role as technical expert in the CTF Readiness Facility’s quality assurance process for mitigation activities. Key points of engagement include:
Serve as the primary external focal point for the Incubator project, engaging with project developers and proponents for pre-transaction advisory and capacity building.
Maintain working-level relationships with Carbon Fund managers, following established processes for matchmaking in coordination with the Project Coordinator responsible for matchmaking.
Coordinate across GGGI readiness projects and engage with in-country teams on mitigation activity origination best practices, reflecting lessons learned and adapting for continuous improvement.
Work with and coordinate GGGI technical specialists (e.g., GESI, energy, transport, waste) and external experts to ensure high quality technical assistance and capacity building is delivered to project proponents seeking support from the Incubator.
Supervise and mentor at least two core project team staff, and serve as dotted-line supervisor to others
Provide technical guidance to country teams and consultants/firms involved in supporting mitigation activity screening and development under the Readiness Facility.
Serving as primary focal point and representative of the Incubator project for any outreach activities.
DELIVERY
Lead detailed work planning, budgeting, risk management, monitoring and reporting on the progress of the Incubator project, ensuring that project implementation is aligned with GGGI’s project cycle requirements and donor agreements.
Design and launch global, regional or other thematic calls for proposals, ensuring clear criteria, transparent processes, and broad outreach to eligible project proponents.
Oversee the screening, longlisting, and shortlisting of proposals, ensuring adherence to Incubator standards.
Work closely with the Readiness Facility Manager and Carbon Fund Managers to establish and continuously refine selection methodologies to reflect evolving best practices and market requirements and the needs of the CTF Carbon Funds.
Direct the provision of targeted technical assistance to shortlisted proponents, including feasibility studies, training, and drafting of MAINs.
Provide technical review and quality assurance of MAINs to ensure they meet the quality and integrity standards of Article 6 and CTF.
Lead the preparation of MAINs for matchmaking, including final technical review and quality control.
Coordinate with Carbon Fund managers to understand Carbon Fund participant needs and preferences.
Ensure proponents are well-prepared for buyer engagement and follow-up discussions.
Establish and apply quality control systems for all outputs under the Incubator.
Document lessons learned from each proposal cycle and matchmaking round, ensuring structured knowledge flows into the Readiness Facility and Carbon Funds.
Promote adaptive management by integrating lessons into future calls and processes.
Provide regular feedback and periodic performance evaluation for staff under supervision, ensuring effective delegation and mentoring.
Provide technical guidance to consultants/firms, in-country teams and other GGGI technical experts contributing to the Incubator pipeline.
REQUIREMENTS
QUALIFICATIONS
Advanced degree (Master’s or equivalent) in environmental economics, finance, business, engineering, climate policy, sustainable development, or a related field.
At least 7 years of progressively responsible experience in project management, carbon markets, climate finance, or development cooperation preferred.
Minimum of two years of international experience. Defined as living and working outside of home country.
Strong understanding of carbon market mechanisms, especially Article 6 of the Paris Agreement and related readiness and implementation frameworks required.
Proven experience developing carbon projects/mitigation activities under Article 6, the Clean Development Mechanism, voluntary carbon markets or other international market mechanisms a strong advantage.
Familiarity with feasibility studies, safeguards, MRV systems, and related technical documentation for carbon market projects preferred.
Ability to demonstrate familiarity with methodologies, standards, technologies and other key issues and risks associated with development, finance and implementation of carbon projects preferred.
Experience effectively managing large and/or complex projects with many stakeholders, preferably for an international development organization a strong advantage.
Excellent communication, negotiation, and coordination skills, with demonstrated ability to work across cultures and institutions.
Experience supervising junior staff and managing multi-disciplinary teams and external experts.
Fluency in English required; additional languages (especially French or Spanish) are an asset
