Contract Support, Technical Expert, AFOLU Emissions Reduction

Technical Expert, AFOLU Emissions Reduction (Contractor)

SCS Global Services' Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Verification Program has been verifying carbon offsets since 2008 and to date has verified nearly 400 million tonnes of CO2e, providing GHG verification services to a wide array of industries including manufacturing, transportation, municipalities, and non-profit organizations. The GHG Verification Program draws upon SCS's established expertise to serve the global carbon market. SCS has been voted Best Verification Company several times. Buyers of SCS-verified offsets include several Fortune 100 companies and SCS is a recognized thought leader in the carbon and climate change communities.

The GHG Verification Program is seeking Technical Expert, AFOLU Emissions Reduction (Contractor) for flexible, on-call contract roles supporting verification audits for forest carbon and landuse projects worldwide. Selected candidates will be added to our contractor pool and contacted as specific project opportunities arise that match their expertise, regional knowledge, and language skills.

The contractor contributes specialized knowledge and skills to support validation or verification audits under project standards such as Verra's Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) and Climate Community and Biodiversity Standards (CCB) and those used by the World Bank, and the UN Development Programme, among others. Project types include those in the Forestry and Land Use category (e.g. Improved Forest Management, Afforestation/Reforestation, REDD+, wetlands, mangroves, soil carbon) and landscape level sustainability programs.

The contractor will act as an independent representative of the SCS verification team to support full audit responsibilities, often in support of a Lead Auditor. Areas of responsibility may include both site-based and desk-based review and analysis, and specific tasks such as assessing project documentation for compliance with applicable assessment criteria, conducting quantitative analysis, geospatial analysis, onsite forest reconnaissance and measurement activities, interviews with stakeholders, and report writing for offset carbon projects and programs worldwide. Ideal candidates will have background in forestry, land use, natural resources, biodiversity conservation, environmental science, or related fields. Experience with environmental and social safeguards, stakeholder engagement or community consultation, auditing environmental projects, or with greenhouse gas accounting in the AFOLU sector are preferred. Initially, we will be prioritizing candidates based in the following countries:

• Brazil
• Cameroon
• Chile
• Colombia
• Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Ethiopia
• Gabon
• Indonesia
• Republic of the Congo
• Tanzania
• Zambia

Relevant Services/Schemes:

• Verified Carbon Standard (VCS)
• Climate Community and Biodiversity Standards (CCB)
• Isometric Biosphere Pathway protocols
• ART TREES
• Other relevant schemes used by entities such as the World Bank, the UN Development Programme, etc.

Scope of Work:

Full Audit Support

• Conduct desk assessments of project documentation, monitoring reports, and supporting evidence including quantitative and geospatial analysis.
• Evaluating conformance with relevant standards, methodologies, and verification criteria.
• Conduct in-field observations and data collection at forestry and land-based carbon project sites
• Interview project personnel, community members and stakeholders, and document site conditions relevant to verification
• Capture photographic and written evidence to support audit findings
• Follow SCS protocols and checklists to ensure consistency and quality of field data

Audit Coordination

• Independently coordinate travel logistics in accordance with SCS policies
• Communicate with SCS verification team to align on assessment objectives and deliverables
• Submit assessment deliverables (incl. findings and reports) within established timelines

Program Quality and Compliance

• Maintain thorough and current working knowledge of forestry and land use standards and protocols, as applicable (VCS, CCB, Isometric Biosphere Pathway protocols, ART TREES, World Bank FCPF, UNDP, etc.)
• Participate in training sessions as needed to maintain qualification for desk review and field verification work
• Adhere to SCS quality and code of conduct standards

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree and 5+ years experience in forestry, land use, natural resources, conservation, environmental science, or related fields.
• Experience with stakeholder engagement or community-based consultation.
• Ability to travel to project sites for 5–8 days at a time, often in remote or rural areas.
• Proficiency with Avenza Maps, GPS devices, and other field assessment tools.
• Comfortable completing physically active field work when required.
• Language skills: fluency in Spanish, French, or Portuguese preferred; English proficiency required.
• Experience with carbon standards or auditing is helpful but not required.
• Strong observational and documentation skills
• Strong attention to detail
• Excellent communication and organizational skills

Preferred Qualifications:

• Proficiency with ArcGIS and/or remote sensing applications
• Familiarity with carbon offset verification standards (see those listed above)
• Experience with third-party certification processes

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to travel to remote project sites, including walking and standing for extended periods during site visits
• Ability to carry light equipment (e.g., camera, notebook, GPS device) as needed for documentation

Work Environment:

This is an international contract position with fieldwork required at project sites in to-be-determined locations globally. The contractor will work independently in the field while coordinating closely with the SCS verification team. Site visits may involve work in rural areas. Communication and documentation will be conducted electronically, and flexibility in scheduling is essential to meet project timelines.