Verra is a global leader helping to tackle the world’s most intractable environmental and social challenges. As a mission-driven non-profit organization, Verra is committed to helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve livelihoods and protect natural resources across the private and public sectors. We support climate action and sustainable development with standards, tools and programs that credibly, transparently and robustly assess environmental and social impacts and enable funding for sustaining and scaling up projects that verifiably deliver these benefits. We work in any arena where we see a need for clear standards, a role for market-based mechanisms, and an opportunity to generate significant environmental and social value.

Verra manages a portfolio of standards, including the: 

• Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) -- the world’s leading carbon crediting program, with more than 2000 registered projects in 80 countries, and accounting for two-thirds of all voluntary carbon market transaction volume.
• Sustainable Development Verified Impact Standard (SD VISta) -- a flexible framework for assessing and reporting on the sustainable development benefits of project-based activities.
• Climate, Community & Biodiversity (CCB) Standards -- to identify projects that simultaneously address climate change, support local communities and smallholders, and conserve biodiversity.
• Plastic Waste Reduction Program -- to enable robust impact assessment of new or scaled-up waste recovery and recycling projects around the globe.

Job Title:                 Manager, Technologies for Climate Solutions

Location:                 Flexible (Remote Worldwide working during US Business Hours)

Start Date:              Immediately

Reports to:              Senior Director, Technology Solutions

Verra seeks to leverage digital technologies for streamlined measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV) in carbon project development. We launched several digital MRV initiatives, including a working group and DMRV Pilot Program, in 2022. We seek a Manager, Technologies for Climate Solutions, to explore opportunities and design pathways for incorporating remote sensing (RS), artificial intelligence (AI)/machine learning (ML), distributed ledgers (DL), and other technologies into Verra’s standards, tools, programs, and registry, with a particular focus on climate solutions.

Specific functions you will be responsible for...

• Leading Verra’s DMRV Pilot Program, including implementing pilot projects with external DMRV technology companies and engaging with the DMRV working group and Verra staff to produce guidance for project proponents and validation/verification bodies.
• Leading the development of Verra’s Long-Term Monitoring System (LTMS), working with other technology team members, Verra employees, and external stakeholders to gather input and feedback.
• Consulting with stakeholders for feedback on technology integration in Verra’s standards and proposed tools/guidance.
• Identifying barriers in the current VCS Program to digital data collection and other emerging technologies; developing corresponding recommendations and managing the implementation of relevant Program updates.
• Identifying ways to streamline and automate data collection and credit issuance from Verra projects and potentially interface with third-party exchanges.
• Developing concept notes and proposals for sharing promising ideas and opportunities with external stakeholders.
• Providing technical input to the development of new VCS methodologies that employ remote sensing-based models to quantify emission reductions and removals from forest carbon, blue carbon, and agricultural land management activities.

You bring with you...

• At least five years of relevant professional experience focused on the use of technology (in particular remote sensing, Al/ML and related models) to solve complex environmental challenges, ideally for quantifying emissions for carbon projects using data and analytical techniques.
• Technical background and demonstrated understanding of earth sciences, statistics, and data sciences.
• A relevant Master’s degree (e.g. remote sensing/GIS, data science, earth sciences, forestry, software engineering, etc.). A PhD would be advantageous.
• Understanding of carbon markets, specifically approaches to MRV in carbon projects, and an appreciation for the challenges and opportunities faced by practitioners in this space.
• Ability to communicate effectively with a variety of stakeholders, including software developers, scientists, sector experts, and carbon offset project developers.
• An innovative, strategic thinking mindset for solving complex and interconnected challenges.
• Excellent attention to detail and a passion for data accuracy and integrity.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to work independently and as part of a team, managing multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and facilitation skills. Fluency in English is essential.

Basic Qualifications

• Experience managing technology focused teams and carbon focused projects.
• Experience defining requirements and using data and metrics to draw business insights.
• Experience with data analysis with Excel and other tools.
• Experience making business recommendations and influencing stakeholders.

 Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Python or other scripting language/tools.
• Experience with working with carbon quantification.
• Experience with DMRV of carbon projects.
• Experience with remote sensing technologies including satellite and ground-based data.
• Experience working with Verra’s standards and methodologies is a plus.
• Experience designing Minimum Viable Products (MVPs)/pilots and running experiments to test/validate key assumptions in agile development.

In this role, you will grow and expand your expertise by...

• Working at the cutting edge of programs designed to drive finance towards high-impact activities that tackle some of the most pressing environmental issues of our day.
• Gaining exposure to challenges and opportunities faced by practitioners of activities aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving livelihoods.
• Working with a dynamic, committed, and focused team of professionals.
• Continuously enhance your skills and knowledge through self-learning, attending conferences, and participating in relevant training programs.

You will know you are successful, if...

• You are seen as a leader, go-to resource, and a reliable and capable member of the Technology Solutions Team in Verra’s Project Development and Innovation Department.
• Verra stakeholders consistently express positive feedback regarding your ability to collaborate to find workable and credible solutions to challenges.
• Verra becomes a recognized leader in the use of technology to support voluntary carbon market offset project development.
• Monitoring and verification processes are streamlined, costs are lowered, and quality improved, leading to improved and scaled-up implementation of Verra projects and lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

You will join a team...

• From diverse locations and backgrounds, including carbon market experts, project developers, consultants, climate negotiators, researchers, auditors, and more.
• Committed to driving finance at scale to projects and programs that advance climate action and sustainable development through high-quality standards and programs.
• That embodies the values Verra has established for itself, and which include Teamwork, Results, Integrity, Balance, and Exploration.

Compensation at Verra

To help us attract and retain top talent, Verra pays employees competitively to the market. In return, we expect each employee to, at a minimum:

• Meet expectations in terms of work effort and performance;
• Take the initiative to build the skills and knowledge needed to do their job effectively; and
• Embody Verra’s values.

For this position, the salary range is between $68,787 - $92,383 USD.  The compensation band is based on a U.S. base salary range and shares the min and max base salary for the position. This position is eligible for remote work.   

The final compensation offered will be contingent upon role, level and location. Our Talent team can share the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process. 

We will recognize employees who go beyond expected performance with salary increases and/or promotions, but the bar for earning those rewards is high.

Salary is one component of Verra’s total compensation package which also includes:

• Top-tier health, vision and dental care, and life insurance;
• Verra contributions to each employee’s retirement plan;
• Verra contributions as required by national labor laws in countries where staff are located;
• Paid Time Off (PTO), comprising 22-30 days plus ten floating holidays, sabbatical after five years of service, and other leave allowances; and
• Funds to support professional development.

How to Apply

To apply, please send us the following:

• Cover letter (not to exceed one page)
• Resume/CV (not to exceed two pages)

Verra provides equal opportunity for all job applicants and employees and is committed to providing a work environment free of discrimination. We conduct our recruitment and hiring without regard to race, color, religion, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital status, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, genetics, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, and local law.