Carbon Program Specialist

Overview
The USAID Uganda Biodiversity for Resilience (B4R) Activity provides technical assistance to communities, the government of Uganda, and the private sector, to conserve and manage biodiversity in target ecosystems for lasting environmental and economic sustainability and increased community and household resilience. The Activity works closely with key government agencies including Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and the National Forest Authority (NFA) in four target landscapes of Kidepo Valley National Park area, Murchison Falls National Park area, Budongo Central Forest Reserve and Lake Mburo National Park area.

B4R has completed a feasibility study for a carbon program in the Kidepo area and is now ready to move into the investment readiness phase and requires a dedicated Carbon Program Specialist.

Job Summary
The Carbon Program Specialist will lead and coordinate all carbon activities for the B4R Kidepo Carbon Program. The Specialist will oversee a subcontractor, who is developing the investment readiness phase of the carbon activity. The Specialist will also liaise with the Government of Uganda at the national and local levels and USAID, in collaboration with B4R staff.

The Carbon Program Specialist will report to the B4R Forestry & Conservancy Program Manager.

Responsibilities
Essential Duties:
Carbon Project design.

• Oversee investment readiness phase of the project.
• Work with carbon project partners to design equitable benefit-sharing arrangements.
• Oversee community consultations, establishment and strengthening of community institutions for effective participation in the carbon scheme.
• Develop administrative systems and procedures for the Kidepo carbon program.
  

Carbon Project implementation and monitoring.

• Oversee the establishment of carbon baselines in the Kidepo landscape.
• Oversee the development and implementation of a carbon monitoring program.
• Design and ensure regular update of a carbon database to enable tracking of carbon stocks supplied by landowners and those bought by carbon investors.
  

Carbon Project Stakeholder engagement.

• Take lead in the development and implementation of stakeholders’ engagement plan, ensuring participation and buy in of key stakeholders.
  

Carbon Project private sector engagement.

• Develop strategies for private sector engagement in the design and implementation of Kidepo landscape carbon program.
  

Reporting and communication.

• Provide strategic support and technical guidance to the COP, DCOP and Landscape Lead on all Kidepo carbon project activities and contribute to the development and production of timely annual work plans, quarterly progress reports, and other technical deliverables as needed.
• Oversee partner organization(s) working on the carbon activity, including reviewing and approving deliverables.
• Support the technical team in preparation of routine client updates and coordination of field visits in Kidepo landscape.
• Liaise with the technical, finance and compliance teams in Kampala as needed to ensure timely and accurate processing of all Kidepo carbon related activities.
  

Travel

• Travel 25% of the time to the Kidepo landscape to ensure compliance, quality and consistency during activity planning and implementation.
  

Qualifications
Minimum Required Education & Experience

• Master’s degree and 7 years related work experience in forestry, biodiversity conservation, ecosystem management, land use, natural resources management, environmental sciences; or bachelor’s degree in related field and 10 years of relevant work experience.
• A minimum 10 years of experience in the design and implementation of carbon projects in the Agriculture Forestry and Land Use (AFOLU) sector.
• Knowledge and participation in REDD+ processes in Uganda.
• Experience in networking and engaging government of Uganda partners such as the Climate Change Department, National Forestry Authority, Local Government Authorities, civil society organizations and community groups.
• Deep knowledge of climate change financing trends and carbon financing.
  

Skills & Abilities

• Excellent management, communication, and organization
• Basic computer skills (word-processing, spreadsheets, and databases).
• Excellent interpersonal and networking skills, as well as the ability to foster professional.
• High standards of integrity, professionalism, and
• Able to work independently and effectively in a team
• Detail-oriented and highly organized, with a proactive
• Ability to multi-task and work to meet tight
• Demonstrated skills in building, mobilizing, and leading multidisciplinary teams.
• Demonstrated skills and proven ability to develop, articulate, and implement a strategic vision for the project.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, fluency in
• Knowledge of and experience ensuring compliance with USAID regulations and requirements, is desirable.
• Strong strategic thinking and planning ability.
• Ability to work well with public officers at the National and District, Sub-County and Parish.
• Proven excellent conflict management.
• Flexibility to work outside of normal hours.
• Dependability, reliability, and high integrity.