Carbon Markets Analyst

The Carbon Markets Analyst will provide strategic, technical, and policy support to strengthen the enabling environment for carbon markets in the Congo Basin, promote cooperation under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, and support countries in mobilizing carbon finance to advance sustainable development and climate action. The role involves regional technical coordination, partnership strengthening, and hands-on support to countries in designing, financing, and scaling high-integrity carbon initiatives aligned with national climate priorities.

Responsibilities

• Advise governments on the development of carbon market strategies, operational guidelines, and institutional coordination mechanisms consistent with international best practices.
• Promote the harmonization of regional approaches, policies, and institutional frameworks for carbon market development across the Congo Basin and Central Africa.
• Support the integration of carbon finance and carbon market concepts into the curricula of regional academic and research institutions.
• 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.

Requirements

• 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 2 years (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.
• Experience in stakeholder engagement and policy discourse is an advantage.
• Fluency in written and spoken English is required.
• Fluency in written and spoken French is required.

Skills

• Carbon Markets Support
• NDC Implementation
• Paris Agreement Knowledge
• Carbon Project Certification
• Registry Establishment
• Article 6 UNFCCC
• Independent Carbon Crediting
• Climate Finance
• Government Readiness Support
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Policy Discourse
• Climate Action Africa
• Technical Coordination
• Partnership strengthening
• Carbon Finance Mobilization
• Sustainable Development
• Environmental Engineering
• Climate Science
• Presentation Skills

Languages

English, French