Senior Specialist, GIS & Remote Sensing, LATAM

South Pole is an energetic, global company offering comprehensive sustainability solutions and services. With offices spanning all continents across the globe, we strive to create a sustainable society and economy that positively impacts our climate, ecosystems and developing communities. With our solutions, we inspire and enable our customers to create value from sustainability-related activities.

Job summary:

As a Senior Specialist for the NBS GIS & RS team in Latin America, you will lead the execution and management of Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing (GIS&RS) projects, focusing on land use planning, ecosystem services, terrain mapping, and forestry management. You will be at the forefront of designing and implementing innovative techniques and models that strengthen our project development efforts and improve our Measurement, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) processes. Your role is crucial in supporting a wide range of current and future projects, spanning from reforestation and forest conservation to sustainable agriculture and biodiversity initiatives, ensuring they meet our ambitious impact goals.

In this key position, you will ensure the highest technical quality throughout the lifecycle of our Nature-Based Solutions (SBN) carbon projects. This includes conducting meticulous project outcome assessments, applying rigorous methodologies, conducting comprehensive quality checks, and managing the validation and verification processes for carbon credit issuance. You will implement GIS and RS requirements to fulfill NBS team commitments regarding technical reviews, due diligence, and the development of project documents and monitoring reports. Your expertise will strengthen the development of detailed technical plans aimed at achieving significant climate impacts, selecting appropriate technologies and methodologies for project certification, and establishing effective monitoring systems to accurately evaluate project impacts.

Your role extends beyond project management and technical implementation. You will play a crucial role in strategic engagement and business development, responsible for screening and due diligence of SBN projects to align with our organization's standards and strategic objectives.

Main tasks & responsibilities:

• Reporting directly to the Regional Manager of Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing (GIS&RS) in Nature-Based Solutions in LATAM, you will be responsible for the implementation and comprehensive analysis of GIS&RS to support the timely evaluation of NBS and biodiversity projects, following company procedures.

Project Management and Quality Assurance (70%)

• Take charge of developing and implementing spatial solutions for GIS and RS components. This involves executing detailed analyses to support project development and Measurement, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) processes, ensuring technical excellence and innovation in approach.
• Perform sophisticated remote sensing operations including geo-referencing, calibration, image processing and analysis, feature extraction, and the production of land cover/land use maps.
• Oversee the monitoring of forestry projects through satellite imagery, ensuring accuracy and relevance of data.
• Draft new and revised existing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the analysis of the internal projects portfolio, ensuring that SOPs reflect current best practices, technological advancements, and regulatory requirements.
• Conduct change detection, modeling, and simulation for Land Cover/Land Use analysis. Utilize these insights for project planning, impact assessment, and adaptive management strategies.
• Provide expert support and recommendations for the adoption and implementation of GIS&RS best practices in opportunity evaluation, project development, and MRV processes. Ensure methodologies are up-to-date, efficient, and aligned with project goals.
• Ensure the highest quality throughout the NBS carbon project cycle, including assessment of project outcomes, application of methodologies, quality checks for deliverables, project validation, and verification for asset issuance, all completed within specified timeframes and budgets.
• Oversee and ensure the highest quality of project products (such as project documents and monitoring reports) in English. This responsibility includes supervising auditing processes to validate and verify NBS projects.
• Perform technical reviews of all project GIS products (Due diligence, project documents, monitoring reports), including spreadsheets, maps, reference documentation, and the entire package submitted for project certification.
• Support the development of detailed technical plans for achieving positive climate/carbon impacts in NBS projects and the definition of methods and processes to be followed during certification.
• Support the selection of appropriate technologies and methodologies for NBS project certification and oversee the implementation and maintenance of the criteria for eligibility, additionality, and permanence of these technologies.
• Ensure the timely and high-quality delivery of project-related consultancy mandates.
• When required, support knowledge sharing, provide technical expertise, and facilitate capacity building on NBS practices in other regions.
• Promote research, development, and adoption of new technologies, methods, and practices in the field of environmental consulting, focusing on NBS.
• Implement quality management and continuous improvement systems in the department's processes and projects.
• Stay informed about industry trends, regulatory changes, and market opportunities to adapt the regional strategy for NBS project implementation proactively.

Project Performance Optimization and Accountability (5%)

• Assisting the Project Managers in enhancing project performance, quality assurance, and accountability, ensuring that the climate/carbon impacts team of experts delivers projects efficiently concerning cost performance and schedule performance.

Business Development and Operational Integration (20%)

• Assume primary responsibility for the execution of project screening and due diligence processes during pre-Emission Reduction Purchase Agreement (ERPA) technical assessments.
• Ensure that all projects align with organizational standards and strategic objectives, demonstrating a keen ability to identify risks and opportunities.
• Follow adaptive management strategies for the due diligence process, including regular performance evaluations and strategic alignments with the SBN commercial team.
• Proactively respond to changes in business lines, adjusting processes and priorities to maintain project viability and success.
• Foster and implement continuous improvement initiatives within due diligence and project selection processes.
• Play a critical role in facilitating transparent communication regarding project quality among various stakeholders, ensuring alignment and support for SBN initiatives.
• Participate in the development and dissemination of educational and training materials to enhance the regional team's competency and effectiveness in applying new PQA/DD processes.
• Be open to visiting project sites as necessary.

Strategic Networking and Engagement (5%)

• When required, cultivate a network of projects, external partners, clients, companies, standards, methodology developers, investors, businesses, and communities engaged in Nature-Based Solutions (NBS), adhering to compliance and voluntary schemes in the region.
• When required, engage in business rounds, technical sessions, site visits, and other pertinent events to participate and stay informed actively.

Requirements:

Essential -

• University Degree in forestry, agriculture, biology, geography, natural resource management, sustainability or climate change, and carbon mitigation-related fields.
• Postgraduate certificate or master’s degree in Geographic Information System (GIS) & Remote sensing or any other related field
• Minimum 3+ years of work experience in NBS projects for climate mitigation, natural resources conservation and management, forestry, sustainable agriculture or land management, conservation finance, or related fields.
• Relevant experience in GIS analysis in the environmental consultancy sector, particularly Land-Use and Land-Cover Change (LUCC) analysis.
• Experience with programming and Cloud environments (GEE, etc.)
• GIS and remote sensing analytical skills using both open-source or paid Software (QGIS, Esri suite, ENVI, etc.) for image processing and analysis.
• Understanding of carbon finance essentials and carbon project development and certification, including familiarity with carbon standards like CDM, VERRA, GS4GG, CCBS, and the CAR, among others.
• Proven experience in contributing to multidisciplinary teams and providing process-oriented technical input to guide the work of others.
• Effective business communication skills (verbal and written) in both English and Spanish.
• The capacity to independently solve relatively complex project-related problems and receive general direction on new assignments or projects.
• Ability to manage targets and priorities and develop own goals.
• National or holder of a valid work visa in the country of application.
• Ability to collaborate effectively within multicultural and interdisciplinary teams to enhance work efficiency and exchange insights on projects.

Desirable -

• Strong analytical skills with a keen eye for detail.
• Experience in data management and analysis, including geospatial data manipulation.
• Proven track record of delivering high-quality reports and presentations.
• Strong problem-solving abilities and adaptability to diverse project requirements.
• Knowledge of relevant software and tools in the field of Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing.
• Familiarity with environmental monitoring and conservation principles.
• Understanding of Indigenous communities' perspectives and considerations in environmental projects, particularly in carbon-related initiatives.
• Basic to advanced Portuguese (spoken and written) is a plus.

What we offer:

At South Pole, we care about our employees as much as we care about the planet. South Pole is not just an employer, we are a Team. South Pole does not just offer people a job, we offer you a career. By joining our team, you will find strong purpose and deep meaning in everything you do. You will have the chance to make a real difference for our clients and for the planet, working alongside a passionate team of like-minded colleagues, while building your knowledge/skills and developing your career in a fun, dynamic, international and fast-growing organisation.

We’re a planet of 7.5 billion unique and different people. We all have a contribution to make and South Pole is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, national origin, marital status or disability. Our recruitment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit and business need.