CALL FOR APPLICATIONS

Carbon Markets Manager

OBJECTIVE

High-integrity carbon markets represent one of the most promising tools for pricing carbon and directing private sector investment toward the global low-carbon transition, helping to bring global efforts to meet the critical 1.5-degree threshold back on track. Carbon markets can provide the catalyst to ensure many countries are able to deliver and enhance their NDCs and to help lay the groundwork for future decarbonization and green growth. 

If properly leveraged, carbon credit finance can make a significant contribution to the $1.3 trillion goal, both in its quantum and characteristics, providing project-based finance which supports technology transfer and sustainable development. High-integrity carbon credit markets present a much-needed opportunity to channel finance into priority green growth sectors such as energy, forestry, agriculture, and infrastructure. They can catalyze uptake of high-cost low-carbon technologies, while subsidizing the cost, de-risking investments and delivering sustainable development outcomes aligned with national priorities. Evidence suggests that carbon credit finance can have a 7x multiplier effect when deployed effectively.

However, this potential remains largely untapped and carbon credit markets remain underutilized in national climate and development finance planning, in particular in countries with smaller less advanced economies and underdeveloped financial markets.

The Climate Vulnerable Forum and its V20 Finance Ministers (CVF-V20) signed a partnership agreement with the Voluntary Carbon Markets Integrity Initiative (VCMI) to support CVF-V20 member countries in accessing financing through high-integrity voluntary carbon markets. The partnership aims to integrate carbon markets into the countries’ Climate Prosperity Plans and national investment plans designed to boost economic growth and development while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Central to this collaboration is identifying and addressing the capacity and readiness gaps that currently limit effective participation in carbon markets, with VCMI deploying its Access Strategies Program to provide targeted technical support and guidance.

In this context, the CVF-V20 seeks a Carbon Markets Manager who will be responsible for steering the development of policy, regulatory, and investment frameworks that enable high-value, high-integrity carbon markets and channel carbon finance toward achieving Climate Prosperity Plans. The role will focus on fostering government cohesion, building institutional capacity, and mobilizing both carbon and climate finance to accelerate low-carbon and climate-resilient development across CVF-V20 member countries.

SCOPE OF WORK

This position requires a proactive and entrepreneurial individual with deep experience in carbon markets. The ideal candidate will have a strong track record of engaging with governments on carbon market development, carbon finance, and related policy and regulatory issues. Key responsibilities include:

  1. Develop and oversee a comprehensive carbon markets program initially in partnership with VCMI;
  2. Lead the implementation of a multi-country Carbon Markets Access Strategies program for CVF-V20 members, ensuring the effective integration of carbon finance within broader climate finance frameworks;
  3. Oversee support to countries to develop carbon market and investment strategies, roadmaps, and enabling policies/regulations — including readiness assessments, institutional gap analyses, organizational design, and cross-ministerial coordination to build cohesive national approaches and provide technical input where necessary;
  4. Facilitate policy dialogues with senior government decision-makers and parliamentary actors to build political buy-in;
  5. Advise governments on identifying and advancing opportunities for carbon market participation in priority sectors (energy, agriculture and land use, forestry, transport, blue carbon, etc.);
  6. Build and strengthen partnerships with regional alliances (e.g. West/East Africa Carbon Markets Alliances), multilateral institutions, and development finance actors to crowd in technical and financial support;
  7. Engage with international standard setters (VCMI, ICVCM, Article 6 Supervisory Body) to ensure alignment with global integrity standards;
  8. Convene and represent the CVF-V20 & VCMI partnership in high-level forums (e.g. WB Spring and Annuals meetings, COP, UNGA etc.), preparing technical inputs and shaping deliverables;
  9. Facilitate peer learning and south-south knowledge exchange between CVF-V20 countries, capturing and disseminating good practices;
  10. Track and report on program delivery, ensuring alignment with VCMI’s theory of change and CVF-V20’s Climate Prosperity Plans;
  11. Monitor developments in global carbon markets, translating insights into strategic recommendations for CVF-V20 members; and
  12. Perform other research, programmatic, organizational, or communications tasks as requested by the Managing Director and/or CVF management.

 

Reports to: Managing Director 

QUALIFICATIONS

The Carbon Markets Manager shall possess the following minimum qualifications:

  1. Bachelor’s in Economics, Finance, Environmental Economics, Public Policy, Climate Policy, or a related discipline.
  2. A minimum of 8 years of progressively responsible experience in carbon markets, investment banking, fund management, climate finance, or related areas.
  3. Deep technical expertise in voluntary and compliance carbon markets, including regulatory and policy frameworks, standards and methodologies, benefit-sharing systems, and monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV).
  4. Demonstrated, credible experience working with private sector carbon project developers and a strong understanding of the full project lifecycle, from origination and validation to the issuance and commercialization of carbon credits.
  5. Proven ability to engage senior government decision-makers on carbon market policy, Article 6 processes, market governance, and climate finance strategy.
  6. Track record in designing, managing, and coordinating complex multi-stakeholder programs involving government, private sector, multilateral partners, and civil society organizations.
  7. In-depth understanding of climate finance instruments, including carbon finance, loss and damage finance, green bonds, blended finance, and multilateral climate funds.
  8. Self-starter with an entrepreneurial, adaptive, and collaborative approach to problem-solving and driving results in dynamic and fast-paced environments.
  9. Excellent communication skills, with the ability to distill complex technical topics into clear, compelling messages for senior policymakers and diverse stakeholders.
  10. Experience working in or with climate-vulnerable regions, with cultural sensitivity and the ability to adapt strategies to local contexts.
  11. Fluency in English with strong writing skills required; proficiency in French or Spanish is an added advantage.
  12. Commitment to advancing measurable outcomes that support climate resilience, just transition, and inclusive growth.
  13.  Ability and willingness to travel internationally as needed.