Carbon Analyst – Precision Recruitment International

Overview

Job Title: Carbon Analyst (X1)

Location: West Lunga Ecosystem, North Western Zambia

The West Lunga Conservation Project based in Kalumbila Northwestern Province is recruiting for the position of Carbon Analyst.

Job Brief

The West Lunga Conservation Project works with government, traditional leaders and communities throughout the West Lunga Ecosystem to provide management and support for the rehabilitation and restoration of the ecosystem. The trade in carbon offsets has been identified by government and stakeholders throughout the catchment as a potential revenue stream to provide positive incentives for reducing deforestation and degradation. The purpose of this job is to develop the carbon offset strategy for the West Lunga Conservation Project and work with traditional leaders and local communities to establish community governance structures and management frameworks that will enable future trading in carbon offsets.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop the long term strategic plan for the carbon offset programme for the West Lunga Conservation Project and surrounding communities,
• Create a community map of key communities in target forest areas,
• Understand the livelihood activities in each Chiefdom and community centre with a view to develop the Conservation Based Economies required for carbon offsets,
• Understand traditional leadership structures in the target communities,
• Engage with traditional leaders and targeted communities to formulate plans for Community Forest Management structures and establish Community Forest Management Groups (CFMGs),
• Develop management plans for the Community Forest Management Areas (CFMAs),
• Engage with government for relevant regulatory compliance,
• Identify target forest areas and create high level vegetation maps,
• Prepare information and data required for carbon accounting procedures, and
• Create a roadmap and provide all necessary data for development of the Project Design Document for the West Lunga carbon offset project.

Key Responsibilities

The carbon analyst will be required to deliver the carbon offset strategic plan for the West Lunga Ecosystem and prepare all necessary data and information required to develop the Project Design Document (PDD) that will detail the requirements for carbon verification. This will be undertaken in 6 different Chiefdoms that have varying cultural landscapes and unique circumstances. The PDD will articulate individual requirements in the different Chiefdoms as well as carbon accounting methodology, business and finance models, project management requirements, threat mitigation measures and legislative regulatory conditions that need to be met. Formulation of community level governance structures, management plans and revenue sharing mechanisms will be key to the position. It will require extensive engagement with rural communities in remote locations and being accommodated in temporary fly camps. Previous experience and knowledge of the carbon offset industry is essential.

Skills and Qualifications

• Under Graduate Degree (or equivalent) in carbon accounting, carbon offset project development, forestry, biodiversity and conservation, community or related fields
• Relevant field work for a minimum of 3 years in a related discipline
• Current Driving Licence
• Proficient in computer literacy (MS Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Access etc)
• Able to develop and manage financial budgets
• Able to drive and handle a vehicle in all conditions
• Have a detailed knowledge of Zambian cultural conditions
• Detail oriented
• Language skills in Lunda, Kaonde, Bemba or Nyanga preferable
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Good organisational skills
• Previous experience with forestry, carbon projects, GIS, wildlife management, community engagement and conservation related programmes
• Experience with designing strategies and project management plans
• Willing and able to develop the project from inception through to operation and bring an individual and innovative strategic approach to achieve the objectives