About CMI
The Carbon Market Institute (CMI) is an independent business member-based institute accelerating the transition to net zero emissions. Information about our objectives, mission, values, Board, team and financial statements are available at on our website. As outlined in our latest three year 2025 strategic plan, Accelerating Climate Action, our focus is to:
- Build capacity and opportunities through inclusive engagement and education;
- Facilitate best practice and integrity in decarbonisation strategies, investments, carbon projects and market participants; and
- Develop and support policy and regulatory frameworks aligned with UNFCCC Paris Agreement climate goals.
Working across a large range of climate policy and carbon market programs and projects, CMI contributes to market development, market integrity and research and analysis. Our over 150 corporate members span the carbon market supply chain including emissions intensive industry, service and technology providers, financiers, carbon developers, transport and primary producers. CMI is governed by a Board elected by its members, has a three-year transition to zero strategy and annually updates its Advocacy Positions: Public Policy and Voluntary Carbon Markets.
CMI employs the Code Administrator team and hosts the Australian Carbon Industry Code of Conduct (the Code) which functions independently from general CMI activities with an aim to promote best practice behaviour by carbon farming market participants and to boost consumer protection within Australia’s carbon industry. The Code framework aims to enhance the integrity, transparency and accountability of Australia’s carbon industry, by monitoring market participation and auditing Code signatories, and reviewing, defining and operationalising industry best practice standards.
While the Code is voluntary, Signatories must comply with Code requirements, which includes participating in an annual self-assessed audit implemented and reviewed by the Code Administrator. The Code aims to:
- define industry best practice standards for carbon service providers, project owners, agents, aggregators and advisers in Australia’s carbon industry;
- promote consumer protection and appropriate and open interaction between Code Signatories and project owners, Native Title holders and other indigenous stakeholders, landowners and other eligible interest holders under the Carbon Farming Initiative Act (Cth);
- provide best practice guidance to carbon service providers, and;
- promote market integrity, accountability and display international leadership in carbon project development.
The Code was recognised as an important safeguard to boost the integrity of the carbon farming industry by Professor Chubb’s Independent Australian Carbon Crediting Unit Review and is shortly to have its second Independent Review, as required every three years by the Code. In 2024 the Government intends to implement key recommendations of the ACCU Review’s relating to the Code, including the recommendation that carbon service providers must be accredited. This role is an exciting opportunity to contribute meaningfully to integrity in the carbon market and potentially to play an important part in implementing the key Chubb recommendations touching on the Code.
CMI will consider full or part time applications for this role which substantively is focused on leading & managing the ACI Code of Conduct. The role may also be designed to support the CMI with other integrity initiatives and duties as negotiated. CMI has main offices in Melbourne and Sydney and welcomes applicants seeking flexible arrangements (flexible hours & work from home options).
The Opportunity
CMI seeks a Director, Integrity & Compliance to lead the Australian Carbon Industry Code Administrator team. The successful candidate will have over 5 years’ experience in a regulatory, legal or consumer protection related field, or experience with implementing other voluntary industry codes or complaints handling.
Key Responsibilities
Lead the delivery of services for CMI as Administrator of the Australian Carbon Industry Code of Conduct (the Code).
- Manage the strategic direction and financial sustainability of the Code Administrator operations, as aligned with the vision and mission of the Code, including implementation of the Code Strategy, and operational management of the Code’s budget and financial targets.
- Ensure ongoing independence of Code operations within CMI, including oversight of the Administrator’s potential transition to a subsidiary legal entity of CMI.
- Operate and manage the Code compliance functions in accordance with the Administrator’s compliance approach, including:
– Signatory education and compliance monitoring operations;
– Complaints handling and investigations;
– Applying and enforcing Code breaches and sanctions (if required);
– Manage appeals and supporting the Code Review Panel. - Lead the annual Signatory audit and review process, including development of the Code Administrator’s annual compliance report.
- Manage investigations in accordance with developed plans, including by:
– Overseeing the assessment of information gathered in an investigation;
– Conducting interviews with clients, complainants, and Signatories;
– Managing engagement with external lawyers and technical advisors in relation to matters under investigation;
– Ensuring internal management systems are accurate, current and secure. - Work with the Engagement Manager to draft written documents for various audiences, including correspondence, briefings, instructions to external lawyers, guidelines, internal policies and Panel/Board papers.
- Building and maintaining constructive working relationships with Code Administrator staff, Code Review Panel, Signatories, external advisors, carbonindustry participants, Government, Indigenous and consumer groups and other stakeholders.
(For full time applicants) Support the CEO and CMI Executive team’s internal integrity and compliance activities.
- Participate in, and lead where appropriate, CMI integrity initiatives
- Act as Returning Officer for CMI Annual General Meetings, including management of AGM and board election processes.
- Support the CEO as Company Secretary in undertaking Constitution and compliance-related activities (as required).
- Work with the CEO and Executive team to develop suitable risk-based strategies to resolve compliance issues in the carbon industry.
- Participate in and promote a learning, team-based culture.
- Other duties as required.
About the role
This position will report to the CEO and provides reports to the CMI Board. In the full time capacity, the Director will provide general compliance and integrity advice and support to the Executive and CEO. The Director’s role in managing the Code requires a high level of independence and autonomy.
As the Director responsible for the Code, you will lead the operations of the Code Administrator, including the development and implementation of risk-based education, monitoring and enforcement (compliance) activities to achieve efficient and effective outcomes for the Code. This includes liaison with the independent Code Review Panel which oversees the compliance and complaint handling functions of the Code Administrator; management of annual reporting by Signatories to the Code; undertaking investigations into potential contraventions of the Code; and leading the strategic analysis, assessment and resolution of compliance issues. This role is supported by the Code Engagement Manager, who leads the Code’s general administration, education, training and engagement activities.
About You
- Minimum 5 years’ experience in regulatory or legal-related fields, including (but not limited to) government, corporate operations, company secretarial functions, complaints handling and investigation or consumer protection.
- Tertiary-level relevant qualification or similar experience in law, accounting, public policy and/or other compliance or regulation qualifications (current practising certificate not required).
- Self-motivated, ability to work well remotely, under pressure and with competing tasks.
- Results driven with demonstrated ability to meet and/or exceed set targets/KPIs.
- Exceptional teamwork and collaboration.
How to apply
Please send your application (CV) and a cover letter addressing the skills/experience to: jobs@carbonmarketinstitute.org by 12pm 4 October 2023.
