Senior Carbon Land Use Auditor (Mexico, Costa Rica, Peru, Guatemala)

Are you passionate to tackle climate change? Do you want to work with organizations from all over the world? Do you want to make a positive impact on sustainability by ensuring businesses meet the right standards and address environmental concerns? If so, you may be the ideal candidate for our Senior Carbon Land Use Auditor role based in either Mexico, Peru, Costa Rica or Guatemala.

What you can expect:

As a Senior Carbon Land Use Auditor, you will be responsible for developing and maintaining AFOLU carbon validation and verification services under standards such as Verra (VCS and CCB), Gold Standard, and Plan Vivo, or other recognized carbon schemes, ensuring our projects consistently meet the highest sustainability standards. This includes managing the maintenance of relevant accreditations and approvals. Your expertise and dedication to quality will be key in working with potential clients and helping Preferred by Nature become an approved validation and verification body for additional recognized carbon schemes.

Working with us is never routine so the first year you can expect the following areas to be central to your work.

• Lead comprehensive validation and verification audits for carbon projects in the Forestry, Agriculture, and Other Land Use (AFOLU) sectors, ensuring compliance with standards like Verra (VCS, CCB), Gold Standard, and Plan Vivo.
• Collaborate on the development and enhancement of our validation and verification services, including QMS, handbooks, templates, and tools.
• Utilize advanced remote sensing data, GIS tools, and carbon accounting methodologies to evaluate carbon stocks, emissions reductions, and overall project impacts.
• Work closely with international stakeholders, providing technical expertise and guiding the development and implementation of monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) systems for carbon projects.
• Prepare detailed audit reports and ensure all documentation adheres to the requirements of carbon standards and protocols.
• Contribute to the strategic development of the Climate and Restoration Program by refining services, generating innovative project ideas, and driving improvements in project design and implementation.

Your first year with us

Within three months you will:

• Leverage your knowledge of Verra (VCS, CCB), Gold Standards, and Plan Vivo protocols to begin leading audits and ensuring compliance with minimal supervision.
• Participate in meetings to learn the Quality Management System (QMS), handbooks, templates, and tools, contributing initial feedback for improvements.
• Complete initial training in remote sensing and GIS tools, applying basic analysis techniques to assess carbon stocks and emissions.
• Engage with project stakeholders to understand MRV system needs, assist in drafting MRV plans, and provide feedback on project designs and potential improvements.

Within six months you will:

• Independently conduct complex audits, ensuring compliance with carbon standards. Take full responsibility for drafting accurate audit reports and maintaining thorough documentation in line with certification requirements.
• Take the lead in updating and refining specific sections of the Quality Management System (QMS), handbooks, and templates, drawing from your audit experience. Work closely with colleagues to ensure smooth implementation of improvements.
• Deepen your expertise in remote sensing data analysis and carbon accounting methodologies. Apply advanced techniques to evaluate carbon stocks, emissions reductions, and overall project impact, contributing to more accurate assessments.
• Collaborate directly with project stakeholders to fine-tune Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) systems. Provide in-depth technical recommendations for enhancing project designs, monitoring processes, and ensuring long-term sustainability.

Within twelve months you will:

• Take charge of preparing audit reports and documentation, ensuring compliance, and lead the refinement of validation and verification services, incorporating emerging trends and audit feedback.
• Become the go-to expert on remote sensing data analysis and GIS tools, mentoring junior staff and driving advanced project assessments.
• Build strong relationships with project stakeholders, offering expert guidance on MRV systems and project performance, while identifying collaboration and knowledge-sharing opportunities.
• Contribute to strategic discussions, develop new project ideas, and lead the creation of training materials to enhance the organization's carbon project expertise.

Important Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree or higher in environmental science, forestry, agriculture, or related field.
  
• Proven experience validating/verifying carbon projects using VCS, CCB, Gold Standard, Plan Vivo, or other internationally recognized carbon standards.
  
• Strong understanding of forestry and agricultural practices, land use dynamics, and carbon accounting principles.
  
• Availability to travel worldwide to project sites during project validation/verification.
• Knowledge of agroforestry, REDD+, afforestation/reforestation, and other carbon offset methodologies
  
• Knowledge of remote sensing, GIS software, and data analysis tools.
• Excellent communication skills in English, with the ability to effectively engage with stakeholders remotely.
• Familiarity with international climate policy frameworks and agreements (E.g., Paris Agreement, Kyoto Protocol).
• Detail-oriented with strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Commitment to environmental sustainability and social responsibility.

What Sets Us Apart:

• Global work culture
• High degree of flexibility - remote work, work from home
• An in-depth onboarding and professional training that prepares you with the right skills and knowledge to thrive in this role.
• Excellent opportunities for growth and professional development
• Potential future international travel opportunities
• A friendly, international team of colleagues, with a pleasant work environment

How to apply:

If you feel you meet the requirements of the role, please submit your CV and cover letter in English, including salary expectations by 31st December 2024.

Application pre-screening will be conducted during the application period.

Preferred by Nature wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.