The Carbon Finance team collaborates extensively with CI field programs and partner organizations to develop and finance a robust pipeline of premium NCS carbon projects, alongside innovative financing solutions that guarantee long-term viability and active private sector involvement. Leveraging CI’s extensive expertise and technical know-how, the team drives improvements in the quality and scale of gigatons of emission reductions and removals within both voluntary and compliance carbon markets. Central to the CF team’s priorities are meaningful impact, achieved through community engagement and equitable benefit-sharing, biodiversity and environmental enhancements, and the rigorous application of safeguards.
The Senior Manager, Carbon Projects Delivery will oversee the design and implementation of a diverse portfolio of Natural Climate Solutions (NCS) carbon projects throughout Africa, ensuring on-the-ground execution adheres to established timelines while maintaining alignment with approved work plans, certification benchmarks, and CI’s stringent quality standards. Integral to the Keystone Protected Area Financing (KPF) team, this position will work in close partnership with the Rob Walton Foundation to mobilize investment for protected areas. The role will involve managing stakeholder relationships 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 teams and country offices will be essential to uphold alignment, accountability, and timely delivery, including conducting periodic field assessments at various stages of project development to monitor progress, evaluate risks, and provide hands-on support to field teams.
The Senior Manager will be instrumental in executing Keystone Protected Area Financing initiatives, partnering with the Rob Walton Foundation to advance this effort. This involves assisting in the cultivation of early-stage opportunities, conducting comprehensive project scoping and due diligence, delivering targeted technical assistance—such as feasibility evaluations—and performing on-site assessments. Additionally, the role requires collaborating with project partners to progress high-priority initiatives toward full implementation. The individual will maintain transparent communication with internal stakeholders by providing structured progress reports, highlighting critical milestones, potential risks, and notable accomplishments across the portfolio.
The Senior Manager will oversee the review of financial and grant reports submitted by project partners, verifying that funds are allocated in strict adherence to approved budgets and maintained with rigorous financial oversight. This role will also facilitate the development of progress reports for the Rob Walton Foundation and other funding entities, ensuring all reporting obligations are fulfilled promptly and with precision. Furthermore, the position will contribute to establishing and maintaining robust systems, governance frameworks, and operational procedures to uphold project integrity and optimize delivery efficiency.
This role is not responsible for overseeing or managing a team of employees.
Oversee day-to-day operations to ensure seamless workflow efficiency, maintaining high standards of performance and productivity across all assigned tasks. Develop and implement strategic initiatives that align with organizational goals, fostering collaboration and innovation within the team. Monitor progress through regular assessments, identifying areas for improvement and implementing corrective measures as needed. Serve as a key liaison between departments, facilitating clear communication and resolving interdepartmental challenges promptly. Ensure compliance with company policies, industry regulations, and quality standards while promoting a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
Project management and delivery encompass planning, executing, and overseeing initiatives to ensure timely and successful completion while adhering to budgetary and quality standards. This involves coordinating cross-functional teams, managing stakeholder expectations, mitigating risks, and implementing structured methodologies to achieve defined objectives. Key responsibilities include defining project scopes, allocating resources efficiently, tracking progress through key performance indicators, and facilitating seamless communication among all parties involved. Strong leadership, analytical problem-solving, and adeptness at navigating complex challenges are essential, along with proficiency in project management tools and frameworks.
Coordinate and oversee the execution of a diverse portfolio of nature-based carbon initiatives across Africa, collaborating closely with Conservation International’s field programs, pertinent project teams, partners, and external service providers to ensure alignment with approved strategic plans, allocated budgets, and established timelines.
Support the facilitation of the Keystone Protected Area Financing initiative in partnership with the Rob Walton Foundation. Responsibilities involve assisting in the execution of this program, which encompasses:
Opportunities for project initiatives are identified and assessed to determine their feasibility and alignment with strategic objectives. Comprehensive scoping exercises are conducted to outline project boundaries, required resources, and key deliverables, ensuring clarity and direction for subsequent planning phases.
The development and execution of comprehensive Technical Assistance (TA) packages, encompassing both scoping and delivery phases, constitute key responsibilities.
Assisting in initiatives to obtain project funding and secure financial backing for various undertakings.
Collaborating with Co-Management Partners and Protected Area Management teams to develop and enhance local carbon finance capabilities represents a key responsibility of this role.
In close collaboration with relevant stakeholders, develop tailored project work plans and clearly identify deliverables, assigning key roles and responsibilities to establish accountability throughout the project lifecycle.
Monitor project execution, detect potential delivery risks, and execute corrective measures to uphold schedule adherence and quality benchmarks.
Develop and sustain project monitoring and evaluation frameworks to ensure systematic tracking of progress and outcomes.
Collaborate effectively with the finance, grants, and contracts team to monitor project budgets, ensuring project deliverables remain on track throughout the entire project lifecycle.
Develop and maintain strong collaborative partnerships with project stakeholders, including consultants, Validation & Verification Bodies (VVBs), and external service providers, ensuring accountability, adherence to deadlines, and the timely delivery of project milestones.
Conduct regular on-site evaluations to monitor implementation progress, assess partner capabilities, ensure safeguards are effectively applied, and verify overall project preparedness.
Collaborate effectively with institutional staff and teams across field and global programs to ensure cohesive alignment with CI’s NCS and carbon crediting strategies and priorities.
Prepare progress reports for the Rob Walton Foundation and other donors, maintaining precise and timely compliance with all reporting obligations.
We are seeking a driven professional to spearhead the development of carbon projects, focusing on identifying, structuring, and executing initiatives that reduce greenhouse gas emissions or enhance carbon sequestration. The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in environmental science, climate policy, or related fields, along with proven experience in project finance, carbon accounting, or sustainability consulting. Responsibilities include conducting feasibility studies, securing partnerships with stakeholders, navigating regulatory frameworks, and ensuring project compliance with international standards such as the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) or the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). Additionally, the role requires proficiency in data analysis, financial modeling, and the ability to communicate complex concepts to diverse audiences. Candidates must demonstrate a commitment to sustainability and a track record of delivering measurable impact in carbon reduction or removal projects.
Serving as the lead for Carbon Finance, you will oversee the development and delivery of Project Descriptions (PDs), Monitoring Reports (MRs), and related documentation to facilitate successful project validation and verification processes, ensuring adherence to relevant carbon standards. Your responsibilities will involve guiding project teams with strategic planning, technical expertise and review, monitoring and evaluation, as well as managing consultants, Validation & Verification Bodies (VVBs), and other external service providers.
Provide tailored carbon project development training for countries, projects, and partners in the CI network, based on identified needs assessments.
Conduct a thorough evaluation of pipelines and perform comprehensive due diligence to assess their integrity, compliance, and operational risks, ensuring alignment with regulatory standards and organizational objectives.
Conduct preliminary evaluations and feasibility studies for emerging carbon project prospects, encompassing desk-based reviews and technical assessments of project documentation, alongside direct communication with project stakeholders. Perform requisite due diligence, including, when necessary, on-site field visits to verify project details and feasibility.
Assess projected emission reductions and removals, evaluate governance readiness and safeguards frameworks, and analyze implementation risks to guide investment decisions.
Formulate well-defined recommendations regarding the feasibility and preparedness of projects for development.
Technical Innovation encompasses the conception, development, and implementation of novel solutions to address complex challenges. This role demands a forward-thinking mindset, analytical prowess, and a commitment to continuous learning to drive progress. Candidates must possess a strong foundation in technical disciplines, coupled with the ability to collaborate across interdisciplinary teams. Responsibilities include researching emerging technologies, prototyping innovative ideas, and optimizing existing systems to enhance efficiency and performance. Proficiency in relevant tools, programming languages, and methodologies is essential, along with a demonstrated track record of delivering impactful results in dynamic environments.
We assist in building carbon tools, frameworks, and templates designed to optimize data collection, analysis, and storytelling within feasibility assessments, due diligence reports, project descriptions, and monitoring reports. These resources cover emissions reduction or removal models, biodiversity and community monitoring, stakeholder engagement strategies, work plans, and theory of change models, among other key components.
Offer technical evaluations and insights on reviews of carbon market standards and methodologies spearheaded by the Carbon Finance team.
Ensures the protection of assets and the integrity of projects through rigorous oversight and adherence to established protocols. Conducts comprehensive reviews to identify potential risks, mitigate threats, and uphold compliance with organizational and regulatory standards. Collaborates with cross-functional teams to implement robust safeguards, address vulnerabilities, and maintain the highest levels of data security and operational transparency. Monitors project execution to verify alignment with strategic objectives, ethical guidelines, and industry best practices, intervening when necessary to correct deviations or enhance performance.
Establish and maintain a robust framework of qualified professionals, operational systems, and governance mechanisms to enforce safeguarding measures, uphold Free, Prior and Informed Consent (EPIC) principles, honor benefit-sharing obligations, and ensure the integrity of carbon standards.
Seeking a candidate with a Bachelor’s degree or higher in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field. Proven experience in software development, system design, or a closely related discipline is essential. Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, Java, or C++ is required, along with familiarity with frameworks like Django or React. Strong problem-solving abilities, analytical thinking, and exceptional communication skills are necessary. Experience with version control systems, such as Git, and agile development methodologies is preferred. The ability to work collaboratively in a team environment and manage multiple projects efficiently is also required.
Required
A bachelor’s degree in forestry, rangeland management, ecology, natural resource management, climate science, environmental science, or a closely related discipline is required.
Requires 5 to 7 years of hands-on involvement in the design, evaluation, or execution of Nature-based Solutions (NBS) initiatives.
Experienced in validating and verifying NCS crediting projects—including VCS, Gold Standard, and CCBS—with expertise in crafting Project Descriptions (PDs), preparing Monitoring Reports (MRs), and conducting Validation and Verification Body (VVB) audits.
Possesses strong analytical capabilities, enabling the creation and evaluation of carbon models in strict adherence to relevant carbon standards.
Proven expertise in project management, with a strong track record of leading and coordinating cross-functional teams, and ensuring accountability among team members and project partners for on-time, high-quality delivery.
Possesses a proven track record of collaborating with local stakeholders, demonstrating a deep comprehension of the practical complexities and obstacles inherent in project implementation and execution.
Established a strong history of collaborating effectively with individuals from varied teams, clients, stakeholders, and partners, spanning diverse economic, cultural, religious, gender, and professional backgrounds across multiple countries and geographic regions.
Proven proficiency in both written and verbal English communication is essential.
Proven capability to thrive in fast-paced environments, efficiently manage competing demands, establish clear priorities, and consistently produce high-quality outcomes.
Proven capacity for innovative problem-solving, leveraging established expertise to devise novel solutions.
Preferred
A master’s degree in a pertinent discipline is required.
Proficiency in either French or Swahili is required for this position.
Proven hands-on expertise spans a wide range of Nature-based Solutions (NCS) pathways and project categories, encompassing forest conservation initiatives (RED+), native ecosystem restoration (ARR), enhanced forest management strategies (IFM), sustainable rangeland and grassland management, and blue carbon projects.
Proven track record in overseeing diversified carbon project portfolios spanning multiple countries, with a focus on Africa or other emerging market regions.
Proven expertise in conducting carbon accounting assessments for soils, including peatlands, wetlands, and rangeland.
Proficiency in the financial structuring of carbon initiatives is essential, encompassing revenue forecasting, mechanisms for benefit-sharing, and development of financial models specific to carbon projects.
Possesses demonstrated expertise in instructing field teams on the creation and execution of monitoring strategies for forest ecosystems, carbon sequestration, and biodiversity conservation.
Experience in collaborating with or within private sector entities on climate initiatives and nature-based solutions is required.
Proficiency in collaborating with Indigenous peoples and traditional communities is essential, as is familiarity with safeguards frameworks, the principles of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (EPIC), grievance resolution mechanisms, and benefit-sharing protocols in carbon initiatives.
With a proven track record in collaborating with governmental entities, you will have contributed to policy formulation across multiple African nations.
Qualifications
BA/BSc/HND , MBA/MSc/MA
Experience Required
5 - 7 years
