The Carbon Finance team collaborates with CI field programs and partner organizations to develop and finance a robust pipeline of high-quality nature-based solutions (NCS) carbon projects, integrating innovative financing strategies to ensure long-term viability and private sector involvement. Leveraging CI’s extensive expertise and technical know-how, the team enhances the quality and scale of gigatons of emission reductions and removals within both voluntary and compliance carbon markets. A key focus of the Carbon Finance team is maximizing impact through meaningful community engagement, equitable benefit-sharing, biodiversity and environmental co-benefits, and rigorous safeguard application.
The Senior Manager, Carbon Projects Delivery will oversee the design and execution of a diverse portfolio of Natural Climate Solutions (NCS) carbon projects across Africa, ensuring on-the-ground implementation adheres to agreed-upon timelines and aligns with certification standards and Conservation International (CI) principles of excellence. Integral to the Keystone Protected Area Financing (KPF) team, the position will collaborate closely with the Rob Walton Foundation to mobilize funding for protected areas. This role will cultivate relationships with project partners and work in tandem with cross-functional teams to advance critical milestones, such as preparing and submitting Project Descriptions (PDs) and Monitoring Reports (MRs), as well as guiding projects through validation and verification stages. Effective coordination with internal project teams and country offices is essential to maintain alignment, accountability, and timely delivery, including conducting periodic field visits at various stages of project development to evaluate progress, identify risks, and provide hands-on support to teams.
The Senior Manager will be instrumental in executing Keystone Protected Area Financing initiatives in partnership with the Rob Walton Foundation. Responsibilities encompass fostering early-stage pipeline development, executing project scoping and due diligence, and delivering Technical Assistance—such as conducting feasibility assessments, performing on-site visits, and aiding project partners in advancing priority opportunities toward full-scale implementation. Additionally, the role involves reporting project progress to internal stakeholders through established channels, ensuring transparency regarding critical milestones, potential risks, and key accomplishments across the portfolio.
The Senior Manager will assist in evaluating financial and grant reports submitted by project partners to confirm that funds are deployed in strict alignment with approved budgets and maintained under rigorous financial oversight. This position will help facilitate the development of progress reports for the Rob Walton Foundation and other funding entities, guaranteeing that all reporting obligations are fulfilled with precision and punctuality. Furthermore, the role will contribute to establishing and maintaining robust systems, governance frameworks, and operational procedures to uphold the integrity of projects and ensure their successful implementation.
This role does not include direct supervision of personnel.
Oversee the planning, coordination, and execution of key projects, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and timelines. Manage cross-functional teams, fostering collaboration and accountability to achieve deliverables. Monitor progress through regular assessments, identifying risks and implementing corrective measures as needed. Serve as the primary liaison between departments, stakeholders, and senior leadership to streamline communication and decision-making. Develop and maintain detailed project documentation, including budgets, schedules, and performance metrics. Ensure compliance with industry standards, company policies, and regulatory requirements throughout all project phases. Actively seek opportunities for process improvements to enhance efficiency and productivity. Provide mentorship and guidance to team members to support professional growth and development.
We oversee and execute all aspects of project management, ensuring timely and efficient delivery of project outcomes. This includes planning, coordinating, and monitoring project activities to meet established objectives, budgets, and timelines. We collaborate closely with stakeholders to align expectations, mitigate risks, and resolve issues proactively. Additionally, we implement best practices in project governance, reporting, and performance tracking to drive continuous improvement and accountability.
Coordinate and oversee the execution of a diverse portfolio of nature-based carbon initiatives throughout Africa, collaborating closely with Conservation International (CI) field programs, pertinent CI project teams, external partners, and service providers to guarantee alignment with approved work plans, allocated budgets, and specified timelines.
Collaborate with the Rob Walton Foundation to facilitate the delivery of Keystone Protected Area Financing (KPF), encompassing the following key responsibilities:
Responsible for identifying and defining the scope of potential project opportunities.
Responsible for developing and executing Technical Assistance (TA) packages, ensuring comprehensive scoping and seamless delivery.
We assist in advancing projects to ensure funding acquisition, providing necessary resources and oversight to facilitate successful investment outcomes.
Collaborate with Co-Management Partners and Protected Area Management to develop local carbon finance capabilities.
Collaborate closely with pertinent stakeholders to establish project-specific work plans and pinpoint key deliverables, while assigning and clarifying essential roles and responsibilities to uphold accountability throughout the project lifecycle.
Monitor project execution to track progress, assess potential delivery risks, and execute corrective measures to uphold schedule adherence and quality benchmarks.
Develop and uphold robust frameworks for monitoring and evaluating project performance to ensure adherence to strategic objectives and outcomes.
Collaborate effectively with the finance, grants, and contracts team to monitor project budgets, ensuring adherence to deliverables throughout the entire project lifecycle.
Oversee collaborative engagements with project partners, consultants, Validation & Verification Bodies (VVBs), and external service providers to uphold accountability and ensure punctual project completion.
Conduct frequent on-site evaluations to evaluate the advancement of implementation, assess partner capabilities, monitor safeguards performance, and determine overall project preparedness.
Collaborate seamlessly with all institutional carbon-focused staff and teams—spanning both field and global programs—to ensure alignment with Conservation International’s Natural Climate Solutions (NCS) and carbon crediting strategies and priorities.
Prepare progress reports for the Rob Walton Foundation and other donors, ensuring that all reporting obligations are fulfilled accurately and punctually.
We specialize in the creation and execution of carbon offset projects, focusing on generating high-quality credits through sustainable initiatives. Our team seeks a dedicated professional skilled in assessing project feasibility, designing methodologies, securing partnerships, and navigating regulatory frameworks to ensure compliance and maximize impact. Responsibilities include conducting thorough feasibility studies, developing project documentation, engaging with stakeholders, and maintaining transparency throughout the certification process. Proficiency in carbon accounting standards, climate policy, and project finance is essential, along with strong analytical and communication abilities. The ideal candidate will have experience in renewable energy, forestry, or other emission-reduction sectors, with a proven track record in project development and stakeholder engagement.
Serve as the technical lead in Carbon Finance, overseeing the preparation and delivery of Project Descriptions (PDs), Monitoring Reports (MRs), and associated documentation to meet project validation and verification milestones while ensuring adherence to relevant carbon standards. This encompasses advising project teams on strategic planning, offering technical expertise and review, executing monitoring and evaluation activities, and supervising consultants, Validation & Verification Bodies (VVBs), and other external service providers.
Facilitate tailored carbon project development training sessions for CI countries, projects, and partners based on identified needs assessments, ensuring targeted and impactful skill enhancement.
Conduct comprehensive pipeline evaluations and thorough due diligence assessments to identify potential risks, opportunities, and compliance requirements. Analyze technical, operational, and regulatory aspects to ensure accurate data interpretation and informed decision-making. Develop detailed reports outlining findings, recommendations, and mitigation strategies while maintaining strict adherence to industry standards and organizational policies.
Conduct preliminary evaluations and feasibility studies for new carbon project opportunities, including desktop research and technical assessments of project documentation. Engage directly with project stakeholders and perform necessary due diligence field visits to verify project details and viability.
Assess potential emission reductions and removals, evaluate governance preparedness, analyze safeguards frameworks, and identify implementation risks to guide investment choices.
Analyze and present data-driven insights to assess the feasibility and preparedness of projects for advancement into the development phase.
We are seeking a forward-thinking individual to spearhead our commitment to technical innovation, driving the development and implementation of cutting-edge solutions that enhance our products and services. The ideal candidate will possess a proven track record of leveraging emerging technologies to solve complex challenges, with expertise in fields such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, or cloud computing. A deep understanding of software development best practices, agile methodologies, and cross-functional collaboration is essential. Responsibilities include leading research initiatives, identifying opportunities for technological advancement, and translating innovative concepts into tangible outcomes. The successful applicant will collaborate closely with engineering, product, and executive teams to align innovation with strategic business objectives while fostering a culture of continuous improvement and experimentation.
You will assist in creating and refining carbon-related tools, frameworks, and standardized templates to enhance the efficiency of data collection, analysis, and storytelling within feasibility assessments, due diligence reports, project descriptions, and monitoring reports. This includes, but is not limited to, developing emissions reduction or removal models, biodiversity and community monitoring systems, stakeholder engagement strategies, work plans, and theory of change frameworks.
Deliver expert technical evaluations and insights regarding reviews of carbon market standards and methodologies spearheaded by the Carbon Finance team.
Ensures the protection of assets and maintains the integrity of projects throughout their lifecycle.
Establish and maintain a robust framework of qualified professionals, operational systems, and governance mechanisms to uphold critical safeguards, ensure adherence to Free, Prior and Informed Consent (EPIC) principles, fulfill benefit-sharing obligations, and preserve carbon integrity standards.
Qualifications
Required
A bachelor’s degree in forestry, rangeland management, ecology, natural resource management, climate science, environmental science, or a closely related discipline is required.
With a minimum of five to seven years of hands-on involvement in the development, due diligence, or delivery of Nature-based Solutions (NBS) projects, candidates must demonstrate proven expertise in this specialized field.
Extensive background in validating and verifying NCS crediting initiatives—such as those under VCS, Gold Standard, or CCBS frameworks—encompasses preparing Project Descriptions (PDs), compiling Monitoring Reports (MRs), and conducting audits through Validation and Verification Bodies (VVB).
Proven capability in analytical thinking, with expertise in constructing and evaluating carbon models in alignment with relevant carbon standards.
Proven expertise in project management, with a track record of effectively leading and coordinating cross-functional teams, as well as ensuring accountability among oneself and project partners for on-time delivery.
Seasoned professionals with hands-on collaboration with local stakeholders will appreciate this role, as it demands firsthand insight into the practical obstacles and nuances inherent in executing and delivering projects.
Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with individuals and groups across varied economic, cultural, religious, gender, and professional backgrounds, as well as in diverse geographic and country-specific contexts.
Proficient in both written and spoken English communication.
Demonstrates strong performance under tight deadlines, efficiently juggles multiple tasks, establishes clear priorities, and consistently produces high-quality outcomes.
Demonstrated proficiency in troubleshooting and the capacity to leverage prior expertise to pioneer innovative solutions.
Preferred
A master’s degree in a pertinent academic 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—particularly RED+—ecosystem restoration (ARR), enhanced forest management (IFM), sustainable rangeland and grassland management, and blue carbon initiatives.
Proven track record in overseeing diversified carbon project portfolios spanning multiple countries, with a focus on Africa or other emerging market environments.
Professional experience in soil carbon accounting, particularly in peatlands, wetlands, and rangeland, is required.
Proficient in the financial structuring of carbon projects, encompassing revenue forecasting methodologies, benefit-sharing frameworks, and financial modeling techniques specific to carbon initiatives.
Proficiency in instructing field teams on the creation and execution of monitoring plans for forestry, carbon sequestration, and biodiversity conservation.
Proficiency in collaborating with or within private-sector organizations on climate initiatives and nature-based solutions projects is essential.
Applicants should possess hands-on experience collaborating with Indigenous peoples and traditional communities, along with a strong understanding of safeguards frameworks, the principles of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (EPIC), effective grievance mechanisms, and well-structured benefit-sharing systems in the context of carbon projects.
Proficiency in collaborating with government entities and contributing to policy formulation across multiple African nations.
Qualifications
BA/BSc/HND , MBA/MSc/MA
Experience Required
5 - 7 years
