Voluntary Carbon Markets Integrity Initiative (VCMI) seeks a Policy Associate, Access Strategies: fixed term until December 2026,
Voluntary Carbon Markets Integrity Initiative (VCMI)
Location: Global, remote-first (candidates based in South Asia, Africa, or Latin America strongly encouraged)
Contract: Full-time (37.5 hours/week), fixed term until December 2026, with possibility of extension
Salary: Competitive and commensurate with experience, plus comprehensive benefits
Benefits Include
- Generous annual leave
- Private healthcare
- Employer pension contribution
- Annual wellbeing allowance
Flexible working patterns are supported. Due to the global scope of the role, work across multiple time zones is expected.
About VCMI
The Voluntary Carbon Markets Integrity Initiative (VCMI) is a global, multi-stakeholder initiative working to ensure that voluntary carbon markets operate with integrity and contribute meaningfully to the goals of the Paris Agreement. VCMI collaborates with governments, businesses, and civil society to strengthen carbon market governance and unlock climate finance at scale.
VCMI’s Access Strategies Program focuses on supporting governments in emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs) to engage effectively in high-integrity carbon markets. These countries are often among the most vulnerable to climate impacts and face significant financing gaps in meeting their climate and nature priorities, including climate-resilient infrastructure, emissions reductions, and sustainable development pathways.
High-integrity carbon markets have the potential to rapidly mobilize private finance for real-world climate solutions that protect ecosystems, generate green jobs, and deliver measurable emissions reductions and removals.
A central pillar of the Access Strategies Program is VCMI’s support to Climate Vulnerable Forum–V20 (CVF-V20) member countries. VCMI works with these governments to leverage carbon markets as part of their Climate Prosperity Plans—multi-phase national investment strategies designed to convert climate risks into bankable opportunities. Through its partnership with the CVF-V20, VCMI aims to help unlock an additional US$20 billion annually in climate finance for V20 countries.
The Role
VCMI is seeking a Policy Associate, Access Strategies to join its Carbon Market Access Strategies team. The role is suited to a professional with experience in climate finance, carbon markets, and government policy. The Policy Associate will play a key role in delivering critical workstreams under the Access Strategies Program and supporting engagement with government partners and international stakeholders.
Key Responsibilities
The Policy Associate will:
- Support policy analysis and government engagement activities within the Access Strategies Program, including collaboration with CVF-V20 member countries and external partners.
- Contribute to VCMI’s knowledge dissemination and capacity-building efforts across the carbon market ecosystem.
- Support the design and delivery of technical assistance projects, trainings, and workshops that build enabling conditions for EMDEs to benefit from high-integrity carbon finance.
- Conduct analysis of carbon market developments, policy trends, and regulatory updates relevant to VCMI’s mission and priority workstreams.
- Support fundraising, grant management, and reporting activities within the Access Strategies team.
- Assist in the development and communication of knowledge products related to high-integrity carbon markets and program outputs.
- Represent VCMI externally by supporting stakeholder convenings, engaging with public and private sector partners, and participating in international conferences and events.
Candidate Profile
Essential Criteria
Successful candidates will demonstrate:
- Knowledge and experience in carbon markets and carbon finance, including UNFCCC mechanisms and high-integrity voluntary carbon markets.
- Understanding of government policy processes, with prior experience working in government or engaging closely with government officials on climate-related issues.
- Strong interest in carbon finance as a tool for mobilizing broader climate and development finance.
- Familiarity with the carbon finance technical assistance ecosystem, including multilateral development banks, donors, and regional initiatives.
- Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills in English, including proficiency with PowerPoint.
- Strong analytical skills and the ability to communicate complex topics clearly to diverse audiences.
- Proven ability to work collaboratively across disciplines, cultures, and time zones under time pressure.
Preferred Criteria
Additional assets include:
- Experience working on international climate or development programs in EMDEs.
- International convening and stakeholder engagement experience on technical policy issues.
- Direct experience working with or within government on carbon market initiatives.
- Knowledge of regulatory frameworks for carbon market participation, including best practices related to Indigenous Peoples, local communities, and benefit-sharing.
- Experience in climate finance, grant-making, contract management, or monitoring and evaluation.
- Experience working across multiple geographies and cultures.
- Additional language skills.
How to Apply
Applicants should submit a CV and a short cover letter clearly demonstrating how they meet the selection criteria to recruitment@vcmintegrity.org by 5:00 pm (local time) on Friday, 13 February. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and early applications are encouraged.
Please use the subject line:
“Access Strategies Associate – Full Name”
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a first-round interview, followed by a second-round interview focused on cultural alignment. Additional recruitment stages may be included depending on application volume.
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