Background about SEforALL
Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) is an international organization working with leaders in government, the private sector and civil society to drive further, faster action toward achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7), which calls for universal access to sustainable energy by 2030, and the Paris Agreement, which calls for reducing greenhouse gas emissions to limit climate warming to well below 2ยฐ Celsius (and striving for 1.5ยฐ Celsius).
Achieving these goals will require a radical rethink of the way we produce, distribute and consume energy. SEforALL is at the heart of this foundational shift to ensure no one is left behind. Drawing on data and evidence, we identify a critical path to success in achieving SDG7.
The 8th UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon launched the Sustainable Energy for All initiative in 2011. Now an independent organization, we maintain close links with the UN, including through a relationship agreement, partnerships with UN agencies and with SEforALL's CEO acting as the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative (SRSG) for Sustainable Energy for All and Co-Chair of UN-Energy. These roles include advising the UN Secretary General and his staff on issues relating to sustainable energy and the implementation of SDG7 and supporting the coordination of sustainable energy issues in the United Nations system.
The ambitions of SDG7 are extraordinary. Aiming to achieve them in the context of the Paris Agreement on climate change involves transformation at a scale never undertaken before. Swift action must be taken by leaders in governments, private sector companies, institutions, financiers, development banks, unions, communities, entrepreneurs and civil society. As we enter the final decade to achieve SDG7, SEforALL has strategically chosen to strengthen global agenda-setting while expanding its activities to an engagement model that prioritizes data-driven decision-making, partnerships with high-impact countries and implementation on the ground. SEforALL's current three-year business plan outlines โresults offersโ that scope out our planned interventions and demonstrate to our funding partners the impact of their support.
Context and Objective of Assignment
The Africa Carbon Markets Initiative (ACMI) is a continent-wide effort launched at COP27 that aims to build the foundations for a thriving carbon market ecosystem in Africa by 2030. To do so, a number of challenges must be overcome, including fragmented projects and carbon-generating assets, limited and fragmented developers on the ground, and a complex and uncertain regulatory landscape. Meanwhile, intermediation and demand are being held back by concerns about the integrity of some carbon credits and the fair distribution of value. To build vibrant and robust carbon markets in Africa, ACMI targets 4 core objectives:
- Grow African carbon credits retirements ~19-fold from ~16 MtCO2e retired in 2020 to ~300 MtCO2e per annum by 2030 and up to 1.5-2.5 GtCO2e by 2050
- Create or support 30 million jobs by 2030 and more than 100 million jobs by 2050 through carbon projects development, execution, certification, and monitoring
- Raise the quality and integrity of African credits to mobilize up to US$6 billion per annum by 2030 and more than US$100 billion per annum by 2050
- Ensure equitable and transparent distribution of carbon credit revenue, with a significant portion of revenue going to local communities
Collectively, this will support the emergence of Africa as a dynamic hub of innovative solutions and cutting-edge technologies, significantly contributing to global climate efforts while empowering local communities. The aim is to ensure accessible carbon market participation for diverse stakeholders, including local communities and small enterprises, fostering sustainable and comprehensive economic growth.
To drive Africaโs Market potential, ACMI is looking to work with African Governments, key regulators and ecosystem stakeholders in developing and implementing Carbon Market Activation Plans (CMAP). The purpose of the CMAP is to identify strategies that will enable countries in Africa to effectively finance their climate goals and development by building the foundations and catalysts for a thriving Carbon Market ecosystem. As such, the ACMI CMAPโs aim to:
- Create an export industry that has the potential to contribute to all sectors of the economy.
- Make African countries investor-friendly destinations for carbon market investments. These have been hampered, in some instances, by counterproductive policies and jurisdictional frameworks.
- Support the government in catalyzing an efficient carbon market (Voluntary, Article 6 & Compliance) with high integrity and quality (and, as a result, high price).
- Amplify the role of the government in streamlining processes and creating transparency across the value chain with a proof of concept exhibited via successful pilot projects.
- Ensure that local communities benefit significantly from the development of this industry with clear benefit-sharing and revenue allocation frameworks.
Purpose/Objective of the Role
In the ever-evolving landscape of sustainable development and climate action, SEforALL is pioneering groundbreaking initiatives like the Africa Carbon Markets Initiative (ACMI).
The objective of the Technical Fiscal and Regulatory Expert would be to serve as a key catalyst within SEforALL, providing specialized knowledge and strategic insights into fiscal policies, regulatory mechanisms, and market dynamics shaping carbon pricing and emissions trading across Rwanda, Nigeria, and Ghana. By conducting rigorous analysis, offering policy recommendations, and fostering multi-stakeholder collaboration, this role plays a critical role in mobilizing private sector investments, promoting regulatory compliance, and unlocking the full potential of carbon markets to drive sustainable development and climate resilience in Africa. Through expertise in economic modeling, regulatory reform, and stakeholder engagement, the Technical Fiscal and Regulatory Expert drives transformative change, facilitates knowledge exchange, and strengthens institutional capacities to navigate the complex challenges of transitioning to a low-carbon economy.
Main Duties and Tasks of the Role
- Fiscal and Regulatory Analysis:
- Conduct in-depth analysis of fiscal policies, regulatory frameworks, and market mechanisms related to carbon pricing, emissions trading, and climate finance in Rwanda, Nigeria and Ghana.
- Evaluate the effectiveness, efficiency, and equity of existing fiscal and regulatory instruments in promoting sustainable energy investments, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and advancing climate objectives.
- Identify opportunities and challenges for enhancing fiscal incentives, regulatory compliance, and public-private partnerships to scale up investment in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and low-carbon technologies.
Specific Competencies for the Role:
A Master's or PhD degree in economics, public policy, environmental law, or a related field with a focus on fiscal policy analysis, regulatory economics, or climate finance.A minimum of 5-7 years of professional experience in government, international organizations, consulting firms, or research institutions, with a proven track record in fiscal analysis, regulatory reform, and policy advocacy.Expertise in fiscal modeling, cost-benefit analysis, and economic impact assessment of climate change policies, carbon pricing mechanisms, and energy sector reforms.Sound knowledge of international best practices, standards, and guidelines for carbon market development, emission trading systems, and climate policy instruments.Familiarity with the institutional and legal frameworks governing energy taxation, carbon trading, and environmental regulation in African countries.Strong analytical, research, and writing skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information, produce high-quality reports, and deliver compelling presentations to diverse audiences.Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with government officials, industry stakeholders, and development partners at national and international levels.Proficiency in data analysis software, statistical tools, and econometric models for quantitative analysis of fiscal trends, regulatory impacts, and policy outcomes.Fluency in English is required; proficiency in French or other UN languages is desirable.Core Competencies
Policy Analysis and Advocacy: Conducts rigorous analysis of fiscal policies, regulatory frameworks, and market mechanisms to generate evidence-based policy recommendations and advocate for transformative reforms in the energy and climate sectors.Stakeholder Engagement and Collaboration: Builds constructive partnerships, coalitions, and alliances with government agencies, civil society organizations, and private sector actors to mobilize collective action, leverage resources, and drive positive change at scale.Integrity and Professionalism: Upholds the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, and ethical conduct in all interactions, demonstrating transparency in decision-making processes and accountability mechanisms.Our Values - please refer to our core values as defined here: https://www.seforall.org/who-we-are/staff/our-values.
Salary information: The successful candidate will be offered an all-in daily rate determined depending on the successful candidateโs qualifications and experience, and applying the principle of internal equity. SEforALL will provide compensation to the selected candidate, with the payments being untaxed. It is the responsibility of the staff member to ensure that they meet any applicable national or local tax requirements.
Additional Considerations
SEforALL offers exciting high-impact assignments, a collegial and creative work environment, and the opportunity for committed professionals to thrive and grow within flat hierarchies and in the pursuit of an inspiring mission. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered. Only short-listed candidates for interviews will be notified. Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. SEforALL reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a level below the advertised level of the post.Your data will not be passed on to third parties outside SEforALL. We will only use your data to the extent necessary for the purposes of selecting personnel in accordance with the applicable data protection regulations.
We will only disclose your personal information if we are required to do so by a courtยดs or administrative authorityยดs decision. In such a case, we will inform you as soon as possible of such an order so that you can take legal action against it if necessary. Please email to careers@seforall.org if you require updates to your information in accordance with Art. 5 lit. d of the GDPR