The Carbon Finance team collaborates with CI field programs and partner organizations to develop and finance a robust portfolio of high-quality NCS carbon projects, supported by innovative financial structures that ensure long-term viability and engagement from the private sector. By leveraging CI’s extensive expertise and technical capabilities, the team enhances the quality and scale of emission reductions and removals within both voluntary and compliance carbon markets. A core focus of the CF team is maximizing impact through meaningful community engagement and equitable benefit-sharing, alongside biodiversity and environmental co-benefits, and the rigorous application of safeguards.
The Senior Manager, Carbon Projects Delivery will oversee the execution and advancement of a diversified portfolio of Natural Climate Solutions (NCS) carbon projects throughout Africa, ensuring on-the-ground implementation adheres to agreed-upon timelines and aligns with approved work plans, certification standards, and Climate Impact’s commitment to excellence. This position will also serve as a key contributor to the Keystone Protected Area Financing (KPF) team, collaborating closely with the Rob Walton Foundation to mobilize investments for protected areas. The role will involve managing relationships with project partners and collaborating with cross-functional teams to advance critical milestones, such as the preparation and submission of Project Descriptions (PDs) and Monitoring Reports (MRs), as well as guiding projects through validation and verification processes. Effective coordination across internal project teams and country offices is essential to maintain alignment, accountability, and timely execution, including conducting regular field visits at various stages of project development to oversee implementation, evaluate risks, and provide hands-on support to teams.
The Senior Manager will be instrumental in executing the Keystone Protected Area Financing initiative in partnership with the Rob Walton Foundation. Responsibilities encompass fostering early-stage pipeline development, executing project scoping and due diligence, and delivering Technical Assistance—including producing feasibility assessments, conducting field visits, and aiding project partners in advancing high-priority opportunities toward full-scale implementation. Additionally, the role involves reporting project progress to internal stakeholders through established channels, maintaining transparency regarding key milestones, potential risks, and portfolio-wide accomplishments.
The Senior Manager will oversee the analysis of financial and grant reports submitted by project partners to confirm that funds are allocated and spent in strict alignment with approved budgets and robust financial controls. This position will assist in compiling and submitting progress reports to the Rob Walton Foundation and other stakeholders, ensuring all reporting obligations are fulfilled punctually and with precision. Furthermore, the role will contribute to establishing and maintaining adequate systems, governance frameworks, and operational procedures to protect the integrity of projects and facilitate their successful execution.
This role does not involve direct oversight of personnel.
As part of this role, you will be responsible for overseeing a range of key tasks to ensure operational excellence and team productivity. Your duties will include managing project timelines, delegating responsibilities to team members, and ensuring adherence to company policies and industry regulations. Additionally, you will be tasked with analyzing performance metrics, identifying areas for improvement, and implementing strategic solutions to enhance efficiency. Collaboration with cross-functional teams will be essential to drive alignment and achieve organizational goals.
Overseeing project execution and ensuring timely delivery, this role focuses on managing project lifecycle phases from initiation to completion. Key responsibilities include coordinating team efforts, maintaining project momentum, and adhering to predefined timelines while addressing any deviations promptly. Additionally, the position requires meticulous planning, resource allocation, and risk assessment to mitigate potential challenges and drive successful outcomes. Proficiency in project management methodologies, tools, and frameworks is essential, along with strong leadership and communication skills to align stakeholders and foster collaboration.
Coordinate and oversee the execution of a diverse portfolio of nature-based carbon initiatives throughout Africa, collaborating closely with Conservation International’s field programs, pertinent project teams, partners, and external service providers to guarantee alignment with approved work plans, allocated budgets, and established timelines.
Support the implementation of the Keystone Protected Area Financing initiative in partnership with the Rob Walton Foundation. Duties encompass facilitating project delivery, coordinating with stakeholders, and ensuring alignment with the foundation’s objectives and strategic goals.
The process involves identifying and defining the scope of potential project opportunities.
We develop and execute comprehensive Technical Assistance (TA) packages to address specific needs and objectives.
We contribute to initiatives aimed at securing project funding, ensuring financial viability and alignment with organizational objectives. Our role involves collaborating with cross-functional teams to identify investment opportunities, develop compelling business cases, and facilitate stakeholder engagement to garner necessary approvals. Additionally, we monitor market trends and financial metrics to assess project feasibility and mitigate potential risks throughout the funding process.
Collaborating with Co-Management Partners and Protected Area Management initiatives to strengthen local carbon finance capabilities represents a key responsibility of this role.
In close coordination with key stakeholders, establish comprehensive project-specific work plans and define clear deliverables, assigning essential roles and responsibilities to uphold accountability throughout the project lifecycle.
Oversee project progress, pinpoint potential delivery risks, and enact remedial measures to sustain schedule adherence and uphold quality benchmarks.
Develop, implement, and oversee project monitoring and evaluation frameworks to ensure systematic tracking of progress and outcomes.
Collaborate effectively with the finance, grants, and contracts department to monitor project budgets, ensuring that deliverables remain on track throughout the entire project lifecycle.
To cultivate and sustain productive partnerships with project collaborators, consultants, Validation & Verification Bodies (VVBs), and external service providers, ensuring accountability and adherence to project timelines.
Perform routine field evaluations to measure the progress of implementation, evaluate partner capabilities, assess safeguard performance, and determine overall project preparedness.
Collaborate closely with institutional carbon-related staff and teams across field and global programs to ensure alignment with Conservation International’s Nature, Climate, and Carbon Strategies (NCS) and carbon crediting priorities.
Prepare progress reports for the Rob Walton Foundation and other donors, meticulously meeting all reporting obligations with accuracy and punctuality.
Our role focuses on advancing carbon project initiatives, encompassing the identification, structuring, and execution of projects aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Key responsibilities include conducting feasibility assessments, securing necessary approvals, and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. Additionally, the position requires collaboration with cross-functional teams to develop project proposals, perform financial modeling, and manage stakeholder engagement. Proficiency in carbon accounting methodologies, carbon credit markets, and relevant software tools is essential. Strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to communicate complex concepts clearly are also required.
As the Carbon Finance technical lead, you will oversee the preparation and management of Project Descriptions (PDs), Monitoring Reports (MRs), and associated documentation to facilitate successful validation and verification processes in alignment with relevant carbon standards. Your responsibilities will encompass guiding project entities through work planning, offering technical expertise and review, implementing monitoring and evaluation frameworks, and supervising consultants, Validation & Verification Bodies (VVBs), and other third-party service providers.
Provide specialized training in carbon project development tailored to the unique requirements of CI member countries, existing projects, and associated partners based on identified needs.
Conducting a thorough evaluation of pipelines and performing comprehensive due diligence are critical responsibilities of this role. The position demands meticulous analysis to assess pipeline integrity, compliance with regulatory standards, and identification of potential risks or deficiencies. Key duties include reviewing technical documentation, conducting field inspections, and assessing operational, environmental, and safety protocols. Strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and expertise in pipeline systems are essential to ensure accurate evaluations and mitigate operational hazards. Additionally, the role requires effective communication to report findings, recommend corrective actions, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance pipeline performance and regulatory adherence.
Conduct preliminary evaluations and feasibility studies for emerging carbon project prospects, performing desktop-based reviews and technical assessments of project documentation, including design frameworks. Facilitate direct consultations with project stakeholders and, when necessary, undertake on-site due diligence visits to validate key project details.
Assess projected emission reductions and removals, evaluate governance preparedness, examine safeguards frameworks, and analyze implementation risks to guide investment decisions.
Deliver well-defined guidance on assessing project feasibility and preparedness for advancement.
Technical Innovation drives the development and enhancement of cutting-edge solutions by leveraging emerging technologies, refining existing systems, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. This role involves identifying opportunities for optimization, leading cross-functional teams to implement innovative strategies, and ensuring alignment with organizational objectives while maintaining high standards of efficiency and quality. Candidates must possess a strong background in technology, problem-solving skills, and the ability to adapt to evolving industry trends. Responsibilities include researching industry advancements, collaborating with stakeholders, and delivering scalable solutions that enhance performance and competitive advantage.
The position involves contributing to the creation of carbon-related tools, frameworks, and templates aimed at optimizing data collection, analysis, and storytelling components within feasibility assessments, due diligence reports, PDs, and MRs. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, developing emissions reduction or removal models, biodiversity and community monitoring systems, stakeholder engagement strategies, work plans, and theory of change frameworks.
Conduct thorough evaluations and furnish expert commentary on revisions to carbon market standards and methodologies spearheaded by the Carbon Finance team.
Preserves and enhances the integrity of projects and ensures robust safeguards are maintained throughout all processes.
Qualified professionals, robust systems, and effective governance frameworks must be established to maintain compliance with safeguards, uphold Free, Prior and Informed Consent (EPIC) principles, honor benefit-sharing agreements, and ensure carbon integrity standards.
Seeking a candidate with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field, along with at least three years of experience in software development or a comparable role. Proficiency in programming languages such as Java, Python, or C++ is essential, along with strong problem-solving abilities and experience with agile methodologies. The ideal applicant will possess excellent communication skills, demonstrate leadership potential, and thrive in collaborative team environments. Responsibilities include designing, developing, and maintaining scalable software solutions, contributing to code reviews, and ensuring adherence to best practices and industry standards.
Required
A bachelor’s degree in forestry, rangeland management, ecology, natural resource management, climate science, environmental science, or a related discipline is required.
Experience in the development, due diligence, or delivery of Nature-based Solutions (NBS) projects, with a minimum of five to seven years in the field.
Experience in validating and verifying NCS crediting projects—such as those under the VCS, Gold Standard, or CCBS frameworks—is required, with responsibilities including drafting Project Descriptions (PDs), preparing Monitoring Reports (MRs), and conducting Validation and Verification Body (VVB) audits.
Proven proficiency in analytical thinking, with a strong capacity to construct and evaluate carbon models in accordance with established carbon standards.
Experienced in leading project management initiatives, with a proven track record of coordinating cross-functional teams, while fostering accountability among team members and partners to ensure timely and successful delivery.
Bringing hands-on experience collaborating with local stakeholders, coupled with a nuanced grasp of the practical complexities and obstacles inherent in project development and execution.
Demonstrates a proven ability to collaborate effectively with individuals and groups from varied economic, cultural, religious, gender, and professional backgrounds across multiple countries and geographic settings.
Proficient in both written and spoken English communication.
Demonstrates strong capacity to perform effectively in high-pressure environments while managing multiple tasks simultaneously, prioritizing responsibilities strategically, and consistently producing high-quality outcomes.
Experienced in analyzing complex challenges and leveraging established expertise to devise innovative solutions.
Preferred
A master’s degree in a pertinent discipline is required.
Proficiency in either French or Swahili is required.
Proven expertise spans various Nature-based Solutions (NBS) pathways and project categories, such as forest conservation initiatives like RED+, restoration of native ecosystems through Afforestation, Reforestation, and Revegetation (ARR), sustainable forest management practices (IFM), enhanced rangeland and grassland stewardship, and blue carbon projects.
Experienced in overseeing diverse carbon project portfolios spanning multiple countries, particularly within Africa or other emerging markets.
Proficiency in carbon accounting methodologies applicable to soils, including peatlands, wetlands, and rangeland, is required.
Proficiency in the financial structuring of carbon projects, encompassing revenue forecasting, benefit-sharing mechanisms, and the development of carbon project financial models.
Seasoned professionals sought with a background in instructing field teams on the formulation and execution of forest, biodiversity, and carbon monitoring strategies.
Proven track record in collaborating with private sector entities on climate initiatives and nature-based solutions (NBS) projects.
Professional experience engaging with indigenous peoples and traditional communities is essential, along with a deep understanding of safeguards frameworks, Free Prior and Informed Consent (EPIC), grievance mechanisms, and benefit-sharing protocols in carbon project contexts.
Proficiency in collaborating with governmental stakeholders and facilitating the formulation of policy across diverse African nations is essential.
Qualifications
BA/BSc/HND , MBA/MSc/MA
Experience Required
5 - 7 years
