Carbon Markets Analyst

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Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.

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UNDP is the lead United Nations agency driving sustainable development and climate action across the globe. Through its Global Policy Network (GPN), UNDP provides integrated policy and programmatic support to governments in their pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Within this framework, the UNDP Sub-Regional Hub for West and Central Africa (UNDP WACA), based in Dakar, Senegal, serves as a key enabler of UNDP’s mission to accelerate the SDGs across 24 countries. From fragile and conflict-affected contexts to middle-income economies, UNDP WACA provides targeted policy advice, technical expertise, and programmatic support tailored to national and regional priorities. By focusing on driving impact across governance, peacebuilding, stabilization, climate action, resilience, youth empowerment, livelihoods, natural resource management and inclusive growth, UNDP WACA works at the intersection of development and crisis response in the region. Through strategic partnerships, innovative solutions, and capacity-strengthening initiatives, UNDP WACA supports countries and regional actors to deliver results that secure peace, empower communities, protect the planet and foster prosperity. Within the Hub, the Climate Action, Disaster Risk Reduction, Resilience and Energy Portfolio focuses on various regional programmes and projects in the following areas:

To operationalize this vision, the Climate Action, Disaster Risk Reduction, Resilience and Energy Portfolio provides technical assistance, capacity building, governance reform, and knowledge sharing to support partner countries in establishing robust frameworks for carbon market participation. This work is implemented against the backdrop of a rapidly evolving development finance landscape, where traditional donor aid is increasingly being complemented or replaced by results-based payment schemes that reward verified climate outcomes.

UNDP has positioned itself at the forefront of this shift through the implementation of its Policy on Performance-Based Payments (PBP), in effect since 2018. Building on its early success within the forest and climate portfolio, UNDP is scaling the PBP approach to expand access to carbon finance in a way that prioritizes environmental integrity, equity, and alignment with national development goals.

In the Congo Basin region, UNDP is significantly expanding its portfolio of carbon market and results-based payment (RBP) initiatives. This includes country readiness for accessing REDD+ results-based payment mechanisms, the development of PES initiatives, support for establishing national frameworks conducive to carbon market development, and assistance in the design of jurisdictional REDD+ projects.

In this context, the Carbon Market Specialist will work with the team of resilience, climate action and disaster risk reduction of UNDP Sub regional Office of for West and Central Africa to support the implementation of a regional initiative entlited “Scaling up carbon finance to preserve the Congo Basin Forests” covering five countries: Cameroon, Central African Republic (CAR), Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Gabon, Republic of Congo. The Specialist will contribute to regional technical coordination, strengthen partnerships, and provide hands-on support to countries in designing, financing, and scaling high-integrity carbon initiatives that align with national climate priorities.

The Analyst will be responsible for the following key areas of work:

• Advise governments on the development of carbon market strategies, operational guidelines, and institutional coordination mechanisms consistent with international best practices.

• Provide technical advice on the identification, development, and implementation of high-quality carbon credit projects across the Congo Basin.
• Support Country Office in the preparation of jurisdictional and sectoral carbon market programmes, including REDD+ initiatives, in line with internationally recognized standards and methodologies.
• Assist governments in establishing jurisdictional Forest Reference Emission Levels (FRELs) and other technical requirements necessary for REDD+ implementation.
• Support the preparation of transaction-ready REDD+ investment programmes aligned with internationally recognized carbon certification standards.
• Facilitate engagement with private-sector partners, including international investors and Japanese private-sector entities, to promote investment in carbon projects and the transfer of mitigation outcomes.
• Identify opportunities to leverage innovative carbon finance mechanisms to support sustainable forest management, biodiversity conservation, and climate resilience.

• Provide technical support for the design and development of carbon finance programmes and investment pipelines.
• Support the establishment and strengthening of national climate finance registries and systems for tracking, coordinating, and reporting climate finance and carbon market transactions.
• Lead or coordinate feasibility studies, technical assessments, and pre-feasibility analyses to inform the formulation of carbon finance projects.
• Support the preparation of concept notes and funding proposals for the Green Climate Fund (GCF), including REDD+ Results-Based Payment (RBP) proposals and other climate finance mechanisms.
• Facilitate stakeholder consultations and ensure the meaningful participation of governments, local communities, Indigenous Peoples, civil society organizations, development partners, and the private sector in project design and implementation.
• Support the preparation of the Regional Congo Basin Carbon Finance Programme and other regional investment initiatives.

• Establish and maintain strategic partnerships with governments, regional organizations, development partners, multilateral climate funds, academic institutions, the private sector, and carbon market initiatives.
• Represent UNDP in relevant regional and international technical meetings, working groups, and carbon market forums.
• Prepare technical reports, policy briefs, knowledge products, and analytical papers on carbon markets, Article 6 implementation, REDD+, and climate finance.
• Monitor developments in international carbon market rules, standards, and negotiations under the UNFCCC and advise UNDP and partner countries on their implications.
• Contribute to programme monitoring, reporting, communications, and knowledge-sharing activities related to carbon markets and climate finance.

• Harmonized regional frameworks and cooperation mechanisms for carbon market development across the Congo Basin.
• Increased pipeline of high-integrity carbon credit projects and transaction-ready REDD+ programmes.
• Strengthened engagement with private-sector investors and carbon market partners.
• Improved access to carbon finance and climate finance, including Green Climate Fund REDD+ Results-Based Payments.
• Strengthened climate finance tracking systems and national carbon registries.
• High-quality technical studies, investment proposals, and knowledge products supporting the development of carbon markets in the Congo Basin.

The Carbon Market Analyst will work under the overall supervision of the Project Manager and under the leadership of the UNDP Sub-Regional Hub for West and Central Africa (Climate Action, DRR, Resilience & Energy portfolio). This assignment is home-based, the Specialist is required to be online and fully available for 8 hours during working days, participate in team calls, and collaborate remotely as required.

If travel is required, such travel shall be at UNDP’s expense in accordance with UNDP’s travel guidance and policy, and the personnel shall receive a per diem not to exceed United Nations daily subsistence allowance rate.

Achieve Results: LEVEL 2: Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work

Think Innovatively: LEVEL 2: Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking

Learn Continuously: LEVEL 2: Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and support their learning

Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 2: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process

Act with Determination: LEVEL 2: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously

Engage and Partner: LEVEL 2: Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build/maintain coalitions/partnerships

Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 2: Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making

Business Direction & Strategy - System Thinking: Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system

• Business Development-Knowledge Facilitation: Ability to animate individuals and communities of contributors to participate and share, particularly externally
• Business Management-Project Management: Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals
• Business Management-Partnerships Management: Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies
• Business Management-Communication : Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience
• Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels

Business Management-Monitoring: Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback on the consistency or discrepancy between planned and actual activities and programme performance and results

Education:

• An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Environmental Engineering, Climate Science, Climate Finance, Economics, Public Policy, Sustainable Development, or
• A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above, in combination with an additional two (2) years of qualifying experience..
• Minimum 2years (with master’s degree) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience at the national or international level in supporting carbon markets, NDCs and the Paris Agreement
• Strong background and understanding of the technical components for the establishment of carbon markets, including the processes to get a project certified as well as the establishment of registries and infrastructure is required
• Strong knowledge of Article 6 UNFCCC decisions and independent carbon crediting programs is required.
• Experience working with multilateral organizations and/or the UN system is an asset.
• Demonstrated expertise in supporting governments in their readiness and infrastructure needs for engagement in carbon markets is an advantage.
• Demonstrated strong organisational skills.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills is an asset.
• Knowledge of climate action in the Africa context is an advantage.

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

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