Natural Resource Specialist

What We Can Achieve Together The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is dedicated to achieving high environmental and climate integrity in our carbon projects, unlocking new Natural Climate Solutions (NCS) pathways, geographies, business models, and innovative financing mechanisms. Within the multidisciplinary Global Carbon Markets (GCM) team, the Agriculture Carbon Specialist supports field programs worldwide in planning, designing, and implementing high‑integrity carbon projects. This role requires a strong technical background in developing high‑integrity NCS agriculture carbon projects, paired with project management skills. Responsibilities Provide expert technical guidance on soil carbon accounting principles, including analytical support and problem‑solving to estimate credible baselines, demonstrate additionality, leakage management, and durability assessment across the full project lifecycle. Apply expertise in soil sampling, laboratory analysis, and biogeochemical modeling to quantify GHG fluxes and carbon outcomes; integrate findings with NCS soil carbon accounting methodologies and high‑quality carbon standards into clear, decision‑ready outputs. Assess and rank prospective projects through review of Project Idea Notes (PINs) and technical criteria; contribute to internal governance processes (e.g., CPRC) to evaluate project quality, risks, and alignment with high‑integrity carbon standards. Support the evaluation of external carbon project opportunities by assessing alignment with Impact Fund criteria and strategy, conducting technical due diligence, and providing recommendations on project integrity, risks, and expected impact. Guide project teams in selecting and applying the most appropriate high‑quality carbon standards and methodologies to ensure project integrity and maximize the impact of carbon credits. Facilitate knowledge transfer and build internal and external stakeholder capacity through technical training, presentations, and ongoing support for TNC global, regional, and local teams. Design, develop, and support the creation of essential applications, guidelines, templates, and tools to streamline and enhance the evaluation, feasibility assessment, design, and development phases of NCS carbon credit projects. Provide comprehensive support for project validation and verification, including the preparation of required documentation (e.g., Project Description Documents, Monitoring Reports) and engagement with Validation and Verification Bodies (VVBs). Manage assigned NCS agriculture carbon projects through feasibility and design stages, including planning, budgeting, team structuring, progress tracking, and risk mitigation. Represent the TNC Global Carbon Markets team in internal and external events and meetings, and support the evaluation, selection, and engagement with third‑party consultants, developers, partners, and auditors. Advise on risk identification and mitigation strategies to uphold the highest quality criteria for carbon credits. Apply cross‑disciplinary knowledge to support overall program objectives, making strategic technical decisions based on thorough analysis, experience, and contextual understanding. Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in natural science, forestry, geography, conservation, ecology, or a related field, and at least four years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination. Demonstrated technical experience in evaluating, designing, and implementing NCS agriculture carbon projects (Agricultural Land Management, Avoided Conversion of Grasslands and Shrublands, Wetlands Restoration and Conservation, and Biochar). Experience working for voluntary carbon market standards, VVBs, and/or carbon project developers. Experience managing complex carbon projects or strategic initiatives at different stages of development (including project planning, initiation, implementation, monitoring, and closing) in an unstructured environment. Experience with the carbon project development cycle, soil sampling/analysis, biogeochemical models for GHG flux quantification, and NCS agriculture carbon accounting methodologies from high‑quality carbon standards, and compiling them into cohesive reports and recommendations (such as feasibility assessment reports or project design documents). Experience researching, critically analyzing, and evaluating information from divergent sources and compiling it into cohesive reports and recommendations for strategy and action. Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English. Strong team player who can build relationships and work collaboratively across the organization and with Conservancy partners. Strong problem‑solving and proactiveness. Ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines, and priorities simultaneously. Ability to write and speak in languages other than English, such as Spanish, French, Portuguese, or Swahili, is a plus. Demonstrated scientific knowledge of soil organic carbon, and/or wetland conservation/restoration initiatives, and/or regenerative agriculture initiatives applied in carbon projects. EEO Statement The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to equal employment opportunity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of all backgrounds, beliefs, and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization is a priority, and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law. #J-18808-Ljbffr