Technical Lead, Sustainability Services (Palm oil and soy focus)

Location: Remote, (Arkansas, California, Colorado, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington DC, Wisconsin will be considered. Working hours are EST)

Position Purpose: Winrock International is recruiting a Technical Lead in the Sustainability Services Unit with deep expertise in engaging the private sector in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction within food and agriculture. This position works with private sector clients to assess critical investments that finance emission reduction and removals within food and forest systems. The Technical Lead will be responsible for developing carbon inset guidance and leading evaluations of peatland restoration projects to mitigate corporate Scope 3 GHG emissions within palm supply chains.

Position Overview: The Technical lead interacts with clients, conducts qualitative technical analyses, and collects and analyzes quantitative data for the greenhouse gas measurement and analysis of peatland restoration projects around the world.

This position may be based remotely within the United States but is expected to work East Coast hours (EST).

This role will be fully remote, however, only employees residing in: Arkansas, California, Colorado, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington DC, Wisconsin will be considered. Working hours are EST.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

Major Responsibilities 

• Lead project review and communications with clients to scope the quality of peatland restoration projects and address relevant technical aspects and their methodologies.
• Manage the analysis of climate projects at the intersection of agriculture, forestry, and greenhouse gas emissions, at the farm and corporate level, ensuring timely production of high-quality deliverables.
• Provide effective supervision including setting performance expectations, conducting regular performance evaluations, and providing ongoing feedback and coaching.
• Perform calculations using greenhouse gas and activity data. Support critical thinking and innovative approaches, new analyses, and new analytical methods.
• Lead the development of guidance on carbon inset approaches to peatland restoration projects within palm supply chains and contribute to critical thinking on the analyses and analytical methods related to food systems and regenerative agriculture.
• Prepare technical analysis reports, presentations, and other communication materials related to carbon accounting and project risk analysis, translating technical topics into terms that are meaningful to more diverse audiences.
• Maintain day-to-day client communications. Provide accurate, consistent, and coherent technical guidance and explanations to clients and donors.
• Provide training to counterparts/stakeholders in the use of methods and internationally accepted best practices.
• Create decision-support tools for the measurement and monitoring of GHG emissions and ecosystem services in the land use and forestry sectors.
• Develop and implement statistically sound approaches to project design and data analysis for carbon projects, including use of field data, new statistical tools, and models. Recommend and implement new approaches that strengthen Winrock International’s reputation for sound science and expand the visibility of Winrock International as a leading developer of measurement and monitoring methods.
• Develop project work plans, budgets and reports, including tracking and monitoring programs as assigned to ensure they are fulfilling deliverable and performance requirements at a high quality, on time, and on budget.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Bachelor’s degree in agriculture or environment-related field required. Master’s degree in climate change, food and environment, or a related discipline is preferred.

Experience:

• Minimum 7 years of relevant experience in food systems and GHG accounting for land use required. Additional years of experience are strongly preferred.
• Experience developing, mentoring, and managing teams of technical staff.
• Experience managing technical aspects of GHG accounting in the agriculture field.
• Field or research experience with forest carbon or palm production GHG accounting, land use change models, and GHG profiles of agricultural commodities from Southeast Asia preferred.
• Knowledge of monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) approaches within palm supply chains to ensure GHG reduction measurements are repeatable, scalable, and GHG protocol compliant.
• Knowledge of one or more of the additional soft commodities is a plus: vegetable fats & oils; spices; cereals & grains; cocoa; coconut; soybeans; and coffee.
• Working understanding or experience with preparing submissions or reporting against key climate corporate leadership standards (e.g., Verra, GHG Protocol, Science-Based Targets Initiative’s standards).
• Understanding of corporate supply chain management or procurement.
• Demonstrated experience in research and public communication on technical issues.

Computer Skills: Proficiency in using Microsoft Office software, including Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint. Advanced proficiency in Excel is preferred.

Communication Skills: Strong written and verbal communication skills are required, including effective public speaking and the ability to communicate complex issues both verbally and in written form.

Language: Fluency in English required.

Position-Specific Skills:

• Strong analytical capability and problem-solving abilities required.
• Ability to contribute to project operations and workflow effectively, to track and meet deadlines for multiple tasks, and work effectively under pressure.

• Understanding of carbon quantification methodologies (e.g., for carbon credits/offset credits), carbon credit or other sustainability product certification standards, carbon credit project development, monitoring reporting and verification of GHG emissions impact.

• Ability to foster and maintain good working relationships with clients and partners, including non-profit organizations, the private sector, foundations, and multilateral organizations.
• Experience developing proposals for a variety of funders is desired.
• Experience leading complex technical projects with a diverse team of staff and consultants.
• Knowledge of geospatial technologies, tools and methodologies is a plus.

Physical Demands: Capability to sit and operate a computer for long periods of time.

Must be authorized to work in the United States. This position is based on-going donor funding.

The pay range for this role is between $115,000 and $120,000 per year depending on level of experience, specialized knowledge in the role and function and business needs. Winrock offers an excellent benefits package.

Winrock is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing equal employment opportunity for all people. All qualified applicants receive consideration for employment regardless of race, color, religion, sex, gender, national origin, age, disability or any other basis protected by law. 

At Winrock we have a clear mission: Empower the disadvantaged, increase economic opportunity and sustain natural resources through unwavering dedication to accountability, equity, innovation, integrity and transformation.