Verra is Seeking a Senior Program Officer (Remote) – REDD Projects (Natural Climate Solutions)

About Verra

Verra is a global, mission-driven non-profit organization addressing some of the world’s most complex environmental and social challenges. The organization works across public and private sectors to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve livelihoods, and protect natural resources. Verra supports climate action and sustainable development through standards, tools, and programs that credibly, transparently, and robustly assess environmental and social impacts while enabling finance to flow to projects that deliver verifiable benefits at scale.

Verra manages a portfolio of leading global standards and programs, including:

• Verified Carbon Standard (VCS):
  The world’s leading voluntary carbon crediting program, with more than 2,000 registered projects across 80 countries, representing approximately two-thirds of voluntary carbon market transaction volume.
• Sustainable Development Verified Impact Standard (SD VISta):
  A flexible framework for assessing and reporting sustainable development outcomes of project-based activities.
• Climate, Community & Biodiversity (CCB) Standards:
  Standards that identify projects delivering combined climate mitigation, community benefits, and biodiversity conservation.
• Plastic Waste Reduction Program:
  A program enabling robust impact assessment of waste recovery and recycling projects globally.

Verra fosters a culture of flexibility and autonomy, enabling collaboration across remote teams from diverse regions and professional backgrounds. Wherever possible, Verra seeks mutually agreeable solutions for international hiring.

Position Overview

• Role: Senior Program Officer, REDD Projects
• Location: Remote, worldwide (significant overlap with U.S. business hours required)
• Reports to: Manager, REDD, Natural Climate Solutions Certification

The Opportunity

Verra is the global leader in certification of Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) projects. As the organization transitions to its newest REDD methodology under the Verified Carbon Standard (VM0048), it anticipates a significant increase in project review activity.

The Senior Program Officer will play a critical role in safeguarding the integrity, credibility, and real-world impact of REDD projects validated and verified under the VCS Program. Insights gained through project reviews will directly inform improvements to REDD requirements, certification processes, and Verra’s broader natural climate solutions framework.

Key Responsibilities

The Senior Program Officer will be responsible for:

• Conducting in-depth reviews of REDD project documentation to assess:
  • Compliance with VCS Program rules
  • Accuracy and robustness of emissions accounting
  • Quality and performance of validation and verification bodies (VVBs)
• Supporting project registration and issuance of VCS units and labels
• Engaging directly with:
  • Validation and verification bodies
  • Project proponents
  • REDD stakeholders, in coordination with the Market and Client Relations team
• Supporting the transition of existing REDD projects to the VM0048 REDD methodology
• Contributing to internal discussions on:
  • Project risk and integrity thresholds
  • Long-term viability and durability of REDD projects
• Collaborating with internal teams, including:
  • Auditing and Accreditation
  • VCS Program Development
  • Technology Solutions
  • Sustainable Development
• Supporting alignment of systems, tools, and processes related to:
  • REDD methodologies
  • Jurisdictional and Nested REDD frameworks
• Training and onboarding new staff and external contractors as needed
• Participating in or supporting onsite audits of VVB site visits when required

The Team

The Senior Program Officer will join Verra’s Certification Team, a group of highly specialized professionals dedicated to maintaining the integrity of Verra’s standards. Team members bring expertise from carbon markets, project development, auditing, research, policy negotiation, and environmental science. The team is united by a shared commitment to enabling high-integrity climate finance at scale.

Required Experience and Qualifications

Candidates should demonstrate:

• A minimum of five years of professional experience in:
  • REDD project development, or
  • Assessment, review, or due diligence of REDD projects
• Strong technical understanding of carbon accounting concepts applied to REDD, including:
  • Additionality and baselines
  • Counterfactuals and deforestation risk modelling
  • Leakage, non-permanence, and uncertainty analysis
• Familiarity with:
  • Jurisdictional REDD and nesting approaches
  • Basic GIS tools for spatial data analysis (preferred)
• Experience working with:
  • Standards organizations
  • Project developers
  • Validation and verification bodies
• Knowledge of VCS REDD methodologies and certification processes (an asset)
• Strong attention to detail, analytical skills, and ability to manage complex reviews under deadlines
• Cultural awareness and experience working with stakeholders across diverse geographies
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Fluency in English required
  • Portuguese and/or Spanish proficiency considered an advantage

Compensation and Benefits

Compensation is competitive and location-dependent. The final salary offer will be based on role level and geographic location. Verra’s total compensation package includes:

• Health, vision, dental, and life insurance
• Employer contributions to retirement plans
• Statutory benefits in accordance with national labor laws
• Paid Time Off, including:
  • 22–30 days of annual leave
  • 7 days of sick leave
  • Public holidays
  • Sabbatical after five years of service

Commitment to Equity and Inclusion

Verra is deeply committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Recruitment and employment decisions are made without discrimination on any legally protected basis. Reasonable accommodations are available throughout the hiring process and employment.

How to Apply

Applicants should submit:

• A cover letter (maximum one page)
• A resume or CV (maximum two pages)

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