About Social Carbon Foundation

The Social Carbon Foundation is a registered charity in England and Wales dedicated to advancing sustainability through Nature-based Solutions (NbS) and the SOCIALCARBON Standard. We prioritize high-integrity, community-centred approaches that generate measurable social, environmental, and economic impacts. As we continue to grow, we seek a visionary Chief Science Officer (CSO) to guide our scientific direction and help shape the future of our methodologies and frameworks.

We’re searching for a dynamic individual to join our team—someone who loves turning bold ideas into scalable solutions and has the skills to empower others to excel along the way. We’re looking for someone that gets things done, and is passionate about scaling small, innovative, and agile teams.

Position Overview

The Chief Science Officer will provide strategic leadership and scientific oversight to ensure that the SOCIALCARBON Standard remains at the forefront of innovation in the voluntary carbon market and environmental asset markets. This senior role will guide the development of new methodologies, enhance existing frameworks, and ensure that the Foundation's standards are scientifically robust, transparent, and aligned with best practices in sustainability.

The CSO will run our technical team and work closely with certification and project teams to drive research initiatives, foster partnerships with academic institutions, and advocate for nature-based solutions that deliver holistic social and environmental benefits.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Scientific Leadership: Define and implement the scientific vision for the Social Carbon Foundation, ensuring alignment with global climate and biodiversity targets.

• Methodology Development: Oversee the creation, refinement, and management of methodologies and frameworks under the SOCIALCARBON Standard, incorporating the latest scientific research and best practices in NbS, carbon accounting, and impact assessment.

• Scientific Integrity & Quality Assurance: Ensure that all methodologies, project assessments, and certification processes meet rigorous scientific standards, maintaining the credibility of the SOCIALCARBON Standard.

• Research & Innovation: Lead research initiatives focused on enhancing the effectiveness of nature-based solutions, including carbon sequestration, biodiversity conservation, ecosystem services, and community engagement.

• Partnership Building: Establish and maintain strategic partnerships with research institutions, NGOs, and industry leaders to advance the scientific foundation of the SOCIALCARBON Standard.

• Stakeholder Engagement & Advocacy: Represent the Foundation at conferences, workshops, and industry events to advocate for high-integrity nature-based solutions and share our research findings.

• Team Leadership & Development: Mentor and support the Technical Officers, fostering a culture of continuous learning, collaboration, and innovation.

• Reporting & Communication: Ensure the clear communication of scientific findings, methodology updates, and research outcomes to stakeholders, including donors, project developers, and auditors.

Key Requirements

• Educational Background: Ph.D. in Ecology, Environmental Science, Biology, Climate Science, or a related field; or equivalent extensive professional experience.

• Experience:

• 10+ years of experience in a senior scientific or technical leadership role within the environmental or sustainability sector, with a focus on nature-based solutions and/or voluntary carbon markets.

• Strong background in carbon accounting, ecological impact assessment, and biodiversity metrics.

• Technical Expertise:

• Deep understanding of carbon markets and the role of nature-based solutions in climate change mitigation.

• Advanced knowledge of scientific methodologies related to carbon sequestration and ecosystem restoration.

• Skills:

• Exceptional strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, capable of presenting complex scientific concepts to a wide range of audiences.

• Proven ability to build and manage collaborative relationships with internal teams, external partners, and stakeholders.

What We Offer

• A fully remote working environment with a flexible schedule.

• Market-based salary and benefits

• Opportunities to shape the future of high-integrity, science-based sustainability standards.

• A leadership role with significant influence over global projects in the nature-based solution space, including the voluntary biodiversity and carbon markets.

• The chance to work with a passionate team dedicated to creating social and environmental impact.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit their CV along with a cover letter detailing their experience and suitability for the role to recruitment@socialcarbon.org

Application Deadline: 7th February 2025

Equal Opportunity Statement
Social Carbon Foundation is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, genders, and identities, and are committed to creating an inclusive working environment.