Senior Technical Officer – Carbon Markets, Article 6 and Climate Change Mitigation (Home based Retainer) - Pretoria, South Africa

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As part of its institutional support to the South Africa Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), the NDC Partnership mobilizes support for key priorities for implementation of South Africa’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC). These areas include: implementation of the Climate Change Act; international leadership in climate action; development of a Long-Term Low-Emission Development Strategy, carbon pricing policy and operationalization of a carbon market framework. Under the last priority area, South Africa requires support for development of a robust domestic carbon market framework, including potential domestic emissions trading, a fully functional domestic registry capable of supporting both Article 6.2 and 6.4 transactions, and comprehensive stakeholder capacity building.

As part of its support to South Africa, the NDC Partnership will contract a Senior Technical Advisor to support the development of a robust domestic carbon market framework, with focus on Article 6 of the Paris Agreement and climate change mitigation. The incumbent is expected to work closely with the DFFE team and other consultants to play a key role as part of the DFFE Technical Task Team on Carbon Markets. The Senior Technical Advisor will implement all tasks under the direct supervision of the NDC Partnership Country Engagement Specialist and will work in close collaboration with the Chief Director: Climate Change Mitigation and Specialist Monitoring Services, the Partnership’s focal point in DFFE and related technical teams in DFFE. He/she will make technical contributions in the specific areas related to carbon pricing, carbon markets and carbon finance, as outlined below.

• This is a retainer national vacancy / position for twelve 12 months, maximum of 220 working days, with possibility of an extension depending on satisfactory performance and on availability of funds.

• This is a Homebased position, meaning that the incumbent will not work from a UNOPS office but from the government facilities. Therefore, the incumbent will need to use his/her own laptop and software.
  

• As this is a Local Position, in order to be eligible, the incumbent should be a national of South Africa or have a valid residence permit in South Africa.

• Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Under the guidance of the NDC Partnership Country Engagement Specialist and in close collaboration with the DFFE Climate Change and Air Quality Branch, the Senior Technical Advisor will provide support to:

• Operationalisation of the Article 6 framework (including 6.2 and 6.4)
• Integration and enhancement of the Domestic Registry to support Article 6.2 and 6.4
• Analysis and review of domestic carbon pricing policy and implementation post 2030
• Article 6 awareness raising and capacity building for stakeholders
• Support for the implementation of the Article 6 framework
• Scoping of a domestic Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) – including carbon pricing policy, ETS design, legal/institutional assessment, market design (cap, allocation, offsets), international benchmarking (EU Study Tour)
• Scoping Report on CBAM – including Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, verification systems comparison (EU vs SA), desktop research, trade and climate policy interface, and MRV alignment and gap analysis
• Coordination, where relevant, with National Treasury, the Presidential Climate Commission (PCC), Department of Electricity and Energy (DEE), and other platforms on carbon market readiness.

1. Support the Operationalisation of the Article 6 Framework (6.2 and 6.4)

South Africa is committed to participating in voluntary cooperative approaches under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, through measures that maintain environmental integrity of crediting emission reductions. This includes both Article 6.2 (cooperative approaches involving ITMOs) and Article 6.4 (a centralised mechanism for mitigation activities).

Activities include:

• Assist/Support in the research and compilation of information for the development of regulations, institutional arrangements, and authorization procedures for the transfer of ITMOs and Article 6.4 Emission Reductions (A6.4ERs)
• Assist in drafting guidance on corresponding adjustments
• Support the designation of a national Article 6 authority
• Assist in the development of a legal and procedural framework for international carbon cooperation

2. Support the Integration and Enhancement of the Domestic Registry for Article 6.2 and 6.4

South Africa currently has a Domestic Registry that caters for Article 6.4 activities. The Senior Technical Advisor will provide support on the technical and policy support required to expand the registry's functionality to also accommodate Article 6.2 cooperative approaches.

Activities include:

• Assist in the assessment of registry requirements, support the integration of ITMO tracking and authorization features, and ensure the registry is interoperable with international registry systems
• Review registry specifications, supporting user acceptance testing, developing registry operational procedures, and
• Ensure the registry can issue, transfer, cancel, and retire both Article 6.4 and Article 6.2 units in compliance with Paris Agreement rules.

3. Conduct Analysis on the Effects of Introducing an ETS

As South Africa considers its long-term carbon pricing trajectory, understanding the implications of different policy scenarios is critical.

Activities include:

• Assist in the research and compilation of data for a targeted policy analysis to assess the potential effects of transitioning from the current carbon tax in favor of an Emissions Trading System (ETS) or hybrid approach.
• Examine economic, environmental, and administrative implications, including impacts on regulated entities, mitigation outcomes, government revenue, and compatibility with international carbon markets.
• Assist in the assessment of the Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) and associated governance requirements for introducing an ETS in South Africa.
• Assist in the production of a scenario-based report that informs DFFE's policy decisions on the future of carbon pricing in South Africa.

4. Article 6 Awareness Raising and Capacity Building

Successful participation in Article 6 requires a broad range of stakeholders—including government departments, private sector entities, civil society, and project developers—to understand the rules, opportunities, and risks. The aim is to build a knowledgeable and ready community of stakeholders capable of engaging with international carbon markets.

Activities include:

• Assist in the development of training materials, and produce guidance documents on topics such as authorization procedures, corresponding adjustments, reporting under the Enhanced Transparency Framework, and participation in Article 6.2 and 6.4 activities
• Assist in the design and delivery of an Article 6 awareness and capacity-building program, including organization and facilitation of corresponding workshops and webinars.

5. Support the Implementation of the Article 6 Framework

While developing the carbon market, DFFE seeks to also develop practical measures for the day to day implementation of the Article 6 framework once established.

Activities include:

• Assist in the review of 6 project proposals, assessing authorization requests
• Coordinate with the designated national authority for Article 6.4, and preparing submissions to the UNFCCC
• Support DFFE preparation for Article 6 negotiations and engagements with the Article 6.4 Supervisory Body, ensuring the country's interests are represented and that domestic frameworks remain aligned with evolving international rules.

6. Scoping of a Domestic Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS)

South Africa currently operates a carbon tax as its primary carbon pricing instrument. As the country advances its climate ambition under the NDC, exploring the feasibility, design options, and transition pathways for a domestic Emissions Trading System (ETS) is a strategic priority. Activities include:

Assist in the conduct of a comprehensive scoping study to assess the viability and design parameters for a domestic ETS.

The incumbent will:

• Examine international best practices, conduct a legal and institutional assessment, and develop options for market design elements including the emissions cap, allowance allocation (free allocation, auctioning, benchmarking), offset mechanisms, market stability measures, and compliance and enforcement frameworks.
• Conduct research on the international benchmarking component of the EU-ETS, which may include an EU Study Tour or equivalent desktop research on the EU ETS
• Analyse the interface between a potential future ETS and the existing carbon tax, including transition scenarios.
• Assist in the development of a detailed scoping report with actionable recommendations for DFFE & DEE.

7. Scoping Report on the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)

The EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) has significant implications for South Africa's trade-exposed industries and the broader interface between climate policy and international trade.

Activities include:

• Assist in the conduct of desktop research on the EU CBAM regulation, including its sectoral coverage, carbon pricing equivalence rules, and reporting obligations
• Conduct a comparative analysis of verification systems between the EU and South Africa, identifying gaps in Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) alignment.
• Assist in the assessment of the potential impacts on South African exports, explore policy responses, and provide recommendations for MRV enhancements to position South Africa for CBAM compliance.
• Assist in the preparation of a comprehensive scoping report on CBAM and its relevance to South Africa, that also addresses the broader trade and climate policy interface, including implications for South Africa's carbon pricing framework and international competitiveness

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in economics, business administration, accounting, sustainable development finance, environmental economics, climate finance, international relations, and other related disciplines with 4 years of relevant experience.

Desired

• A master's degree with 2 years of relevant experience in a related field will be an added advantage.

Required

• At least 4 years of general working experience in climate finance, with at least 3 years of carbon market experience, including on compliance or voluntary carbon markets.
• Experience with analytical research on policy, carbon mitigation and monitoring systems, and implications for policy and regulatory frameworks.
• Strong knowledge of South Africa’s climate policies, institutional frameworks, and financing mechanisms.
• Demonstrated ability to engage with government, private sector, and international partners.

Desired

• A specialized training or certification in Climate Finance, Green Growth, Disaster Financing or related field will be an added advantage.
• Specific experience in climate finance and carbon markets in South Africa is preferred. Experience with Article 6 is an added advantage.
• Knowledge of the EU-ETS and CBAM frameworks are preferred.
• Ability to foster formal and informal networks to strengthen cooperation between agencies, including Government, private sector participants, NGOs and other stakeholders.

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