Request for Proposals: Carbon Standards Subject Matter Expert

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Carbon Standards
Subject Matter Expert

Request for Proposal

15 April 2024

About the Organization 

International Biochar Initiative (IBI) is a global platform for fostering stakeholder collaboration, good industry practices, and environmental and ethical standards to support safe and economically viable biochar systems. With over 650 members based in 70 countries, IBI members include carbon markets, biochar producers, biochar users, technology innovators, researchers, and other non-profit organizations.

IBI provides a platform for the global biochar industry, government, nonprofit leaders, and other key stakeholders to:

  • Stay informed on the latest biochar research and practices.
  • Gain education and case studies on biochar production, use, and regulatory good practices.
  • Connect and co-collaborate with partners to develop local biochar projects, research, and country action plans.

Scope of Work

Biochar and biochar carbon removal (BCR) are powerful tools for mitigating rising temperatures and extreme weather events while restoring our ecosystems and agricultural systems toward a more sustainable future. According to a recent study commissioned by the International Biochar Initiative, biochar can remove 6% of current global emissions annually — this is the yearly equivalent of India’s total greenhouse gas emissions, or taking 800 coal power plants offline. 

IBI is seeking a Subject Matter Expert (SME) with a deep understanding of the methodologies within Carbon Standards International (CSI), specifically for the World Biochar Certification (WBC) and the Artisan C-Sink Standard (Artisan C-Sink). The SME will work closely with IBI’s Education Manager to develop a learning map for educational trainings designed to supplement the certification process for the WBC and Global Artisan C-Sink. The SME may be an expert in one or both of these certifications.

Contract deliverables for this work include but are not limited to: 

  • Work with the IBI Education Manager to determine the appropriate learning objectives according to the goals of each training.
    The learning objectives are the specific knowledge and skills that each training will provide, i.e., “by the end of the training, the learner will know/be able to…”. The SME will leverage their expertise in the standards to help to define learning objectives for these training sessions, which should ensure the training meets the primary goals related to:
    • Knowledge/skills necessary to complete the certification process(es)
    • Knowledge/skills necessary to uphold a certification
    • Knowledge/skills necessary to produce biochar that could be eligible for certification
    • Knowledge/skills necessary to set-up run field trials 
    • Other learning objectives to be determined.
  • Work with the IBI Education Manager to determine the supplemental information necessary to achieve each of the learning objectives.
  • Assist the IBI Education Manager in drawing connections between concepts and information within the standards where applicable, so that the training is able to connect these concepts for learners.
  • Review documentation and resources; including but not limited to contracts, presentations, and other learning products; to ensure the learning objectives and selected supplemental information are aligned with contractual expectations and branding standards.

Submission Requirements and Timeline

Proposals are being accepted on a rolling basis with review beginning immediately. They should include the SME’s experience working with or consulting about the standards named. The proposals should also include a breakdown of the proposed timeline and budget for the scope of work mentioned above. Questions or inquiries to this RFP, as well as proposals, should be emailed to education@biochar-international.org