Job Title: Senior Program Officer, Auditing and Accreditation
Location: Remote -Worldwide (with significant overlap with US business hours)
Start Date: Immediately
Reports to: Senior Manager, Validation/Verification Quality Control
The Opportunity
Verra is seeking a Senior Program Officer to support the oversight of Validation and Verification Bodies (VVBs) and to strengthen their capacity to conduct audits effectively and consistently under Verra programs. This role is within the Auditing and Accreditation team in Verra’s Program Management Department and focuses on supporting VVB application reviews, performance observation audits, and ongoing monitoring activities.
A day with Verra’s Program Management Team might include…
- Monitoring notifications of upcoming VVB validation and verification audits to identify opportunities for Verra to perform a performance observation audit.
- Planning, coordinating, and/or conducting performance observation audits, including liaising with Verra staff, VVBs, and project proponents, and managing communications and travel logistics.
- Documenting performance observation audit findings and supporting follow-up activities.
- Responding to internal and external inquiries, ensuring clear, timely, and consistent communication aligned with Verra program requirements.
- Reviewing documentation submitted by applicant VVBs to assess completeness and alignment with Verra’s auditing and accreditation requirements. Following up with applicants to request clarifications or additional information as needed.
- Reviewing and maintaining up-to-date information on VVBs across Verra systems.
- Maintaining and analyzing VVB performance data (project reviews, quality control reviews, nonconformity reports) and other tracking tools used to support VVB oversight and training opportunities.
- Working closely with colleagues across Verra’s Program Management and other internal teams to ensure coordinated oversight of VVB performance and consistent application of Verra program rules.
The Role.
- Support the selection, planning, and implementation of performance observation audits of VVB validation and/ or verification activities, including:
- Monitor notifications of upcoming VVB audits to identify suitable performance observation audit opportunities
- Coordinate with appropriate Verra staff to assign and conduct performance observation audits
- Manage and plan logistics with VVBs, project proponents, and internal teams, including communications and travel coordination
- Conduct performance observation audits to verify the competence and effectiveness of approved VVBs in conducting validations and/or verifications within a defined scope.
- Document and manage performance observation audit findings
- Serve as the primary point of contact for internal and external inquiries received through Verra’s Auditing and Accreditation inbox, providing professional, timely, and consistent responses.
- Support the technical review and management of VVB applications, including:
- Reviewing submitted documentation to assess completeness and alignment with Verra program requirements
- Communicating with applicant VVBs regarding application status, requests for clarification, and next steps
- Supporting internal review processes related to VVB approval and scope eligibility.
- Support the development, maintenance, and consistent application of standard operating procedures related to Verra’s Auditing and Accreditation processes.
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date VVB information across Verra systems.
- Collect, maintain, and analyze VVB performance data to support ongoing quality monitoring, reporting, and decision-making, including contributing to the development and maintenance of VVB performance scorecards.
- Provide support to other workstreams in the A&A Team, such as developing requirements for VVBs,
- Collaborate with colleagues across Verra’s Program Management and other internal teams to ensure coordinated oversight of VVB performance and consistent application of Verra program rules.
- Other responsibilities to be defined as the Auditing and Accreditation team evolves.
What we’d like to see.
- 8+ years of relevant professional experience, with at least 3 years working with VVBs or accreditation bodies, ideally doing GHG project certification or sustainable development project certification.
- A relevant university degree. An advanced degree would be advantageous.
- Demonstrated experience in climate change mitigation, carbon crediting programs/standards, sustainability science, and/or the Sustainable Development Goals.
- Strong understanding of the standards and principles of auditing and the auditing techniques of examining, questioning, evaluating, and reporting to determine a quality system's adequacy and deficiencies.
- Knowledge of Verra’s standards, ISO 17029, ISO 14065, ISO 14064, ISO 14066, and social auditing accreditation standards; preference given to candidates with relevant professional training and/or certifications.
- Strong attention to detail and the ability to focus accurately and efficiently on one or multiple tasks.
- Demonstrated ownership of projects/initiatives from planning to completion.
- Strong project management and organizational skills, including the ability to prioritize and work efficiently and effectively under deadlines.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Cultural awareness with the ability to work with stakeholders and partners from different countries and cultures.
- Fluency in English is essential; preference will be given to candidates with fluency in additional UN languages.
- Enthusiasm for and the ability to travel internationally (up to 50% of the time), conducting audits in sometimes remote and difficult conditions.
In this role, you will grow and expand your expertise by...
- Supporting Verra’s Program Management team members in conducting performance observation audits.
- Working collaboratively with VVBs to identify effective ways to strengthen audit quality and improve validation and verification services.
- Working within an innovative auditing and accreditation team that is critical to ensuring the integrity and quality of audits conducted by VVBs across Verra programs.
Our Team:
- You will join an inclusive team of leading experts in auditing and accreditation.
- From diverse locations and backgrounds, including carbon market experts, researchers, auditors, and more.
- Committed to driving finance at scale to projects and programs that advance climate action and sustainable development through high-quality standards and programs.
Working at Verra
Verra pays employees competitively in the market to help us attract and retain top talent. Pay is based on several factors, including market location, and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. We recognize employees who go beyond expected performance with salary increases and/or promotions, but the bar for earning those rewards is high. Salary is one component of Verra’s total compensation package, which also includes:
- Medical, vision, and dental care, and life insurance
- Verra contributions to each employee’s retirement plan/pension scheme with employee and employer contributions
- Paid leave, comprising 22-30 days vacation, 7 days of annual sick leave, holidays, and sabbatical after five years of service
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Physical Demands.
The physical demands described here are representative of those a teammate must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Specific vision abilities required for this job include close vision for computer work.
Work Environment.
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those a teammate encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Ability to sit at a computer terminal for an extended period.
- Access to reliable Wi-fi with a distraction-free workspace.
How to Apply
Please send us a Cover letter (not to exceed one page) and your Resume/CV (not to exceed two pages). Verra is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all our work, and doing this successfully is crucial for us to embody our established values which are Teamwork, Results, Integrity, Balance, and Exploration. We actively celebrate belonging among our team members’ different abilities, sexual orientations, ethnicity, faith, and gender.
Verra provides equal opportunity for all job applicants and employees and is committed to providing a work environment free of discrimination. We conduct our recruitment and hiring without regard to race, color, religion, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital status, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, genetics, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, and local law.
We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, perform crucial job functions, and receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact [email protected] to request accommodation.