Dirección BlueMX Mangrove, A.C. is a nonprofit, Mexican civil-association (NGO) focused on the restoration and conservation of mangrove ecosystems and the wellbeing of adjacent coastal communities. BlueMX engages a broad range of local and international government, community and private-sector partners to develop and lead blue carbon restoration and protection across 200,000 ha of wetlands in four Mexican states. BlueMX works inclusively with Ejito communities, establishing a variety of social enterprises and new economic opportunities that lead to enriched social cohesion and economic well-being of Mexico’s Indigenous peoples and local communities.
Responsibilities
The Chief Carbon Officer (CCO) is responsible for leading the development of blue carbon accounting and monitoring systems, project design documentation (PDDs) and compliance with the Voluntary Carbon Standards (VCS) and Climate, Community and Biodiversity (CCB) Standards related to BlueMX’s carbon projects. The CCO will lead and manage the Carbon Accounting Unit, and collaborate closely with the Spatial Analysis and Mangrove Conservation and Restoration teams, to develop seamless integration of data collection, analysis and accounting systems to support the validation, verification and ongoing monitoring of BlueMX’s carbon projects.
The candidate must have the ability to communicate and solve complex problems, undertake strategic planning in an inclusive and systematic manner, and contribute to fostering an inclusive leadership environment. They shall demonstrate an exemplary standard of professional standards, ethical behavior and lead by example on fairness, integrity, respect, and safety among BlueMX partners, allies, employees and consultants.
The essential functions of the position include:
- Lead and manage the process for successfully completing five (5) Project Design Documents (PDD) in collaboration with external project developers and partners and internal science teams.
- Lead BlueMX’s technical team (Carbon Accounting Unit) of mangrove experts in all aspects of blue carbon accounting, monitoring and management
-Support the development and implementation of carbon tools, frameworks, and templates to streamline the data gathering, analysis, and reporting processes related to the VCS and CCB Standards.
- Support the Carbon Accounting Unit to implement carbon monitoring protocols for blue carbon projects
- Assist the Carbon Accounting Unit to expand current carbon models or developing new models.
- Oversee technical accuracy and progress of all data collection, carbon models and monitoring programs to ensure a high level of integrity and acceptance by VCS and CCB auditors.
-Work with internal and external stakeholders to promote and BlueMX’s carbon processes as an exemplar of blue carbon accounting.
-Support communication with the Mexican and State governments to demonstrate BlueMX’s adherence to VCS and CCB standards.
Qualifications
Minimum qualifications:
• University degree in science related field, environmental sciences, forestry, marine biology, climate change, and/or related fields, and 6 years of experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• General knowledge on carbon accounting frameworks and climatic change policy.
• General knowledge on spatial planning, land use planning, low emissions development.
• Record of peer reviewed publications in scientific journals (desired).
• Experience in complex projects’ management including the financial aspect and coordinating the work of peers and partners.
• Experience working and communicating with a wide range of people and multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong communication skills, both interpersonal and written; fluency in Spanish and English (reading, writing, and speaking).
Desired qualifications:
• Multi-language skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated. Ability to write professionally in English.
• PhD and 4 years of experience working in GHG accounting, forestry, especially regarding deforestation and forest degradation data collection/monitoring, forest carbon assessments, land use and land use change monitoring and modeling, UNFCCC, and other forest monitoring (MRV) standards and guidelines (IPCC guidelines).
• Strong knowledge of Carbon accounting and VCS methodologies, tools, and platforms.
• Experience manipulating, analyzing, and interpreting statistical or environmental data on vegetation cover derived from remote sensing and GIS databases, field observations, biomass estimation, and carbon accounting.
• Experience in formulating and negotiation collaborative agreements with external and/or international potential partners including governmental agencies, NGOs, and academia.
• Successful experience in partnership development (NGOs, governments, etc.) including extensive networking with high-level conservation and political contacts.
• Experience working and operating in a non-hierarchical organization environment.
• Experience influencing, developing, and implementing ecosystem assessments at the regional, national and/or international level.
• General knowledge of Mexico’s forest and agricultural sector and climate change policies, laws, development, and management issues.
• General knowledge of current carbon market trends and practices in relevant discipline(s) and regions.
• Proven negotiation skills.
• Attention to detail.
• Training experience
