The Carbon Finance team collaborates extensively with CI field programs and external partners to identify and finance a robust pipeline of high-quality Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) carbon projects, supported by innovative financial mechanisms that ensure long-term viability and engagement from the private sector. Leveraging CI’s extensive expertise and technical capabilities, the team enhances the quality and scale of gigaton-level emission reductions and removals within both voluntary and compliance carbon markets. A core focus of the Carbon Finance team is maximizing impact through meaningful community involvement and equitable benefit-sharing, robust biodiversity and environmental co-benefits, and rigorous safeguard implementation.
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 established timelines and aligns with certified standards and Conservation International’s (CI) commitment to excellence. Integral to the Keystone Protected Area Financing (KPF) initiative, this role will collaborate closely with the Rob Walton Foundation to mobilize financing for protected areas. The position will cultivate partnerships with project stakeholders while partnering 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 among internal project teams and country offices will be essential to maintain alignment, accountability, and punctual delivery, including conducting periodic field visits at key project development phases to oversee implementation, evaluate risks, and provide hands-on support to teams.
The Senior Manager will assume a pivotal role in executing Keystone Protected Area Financing in partnership with the Rob Walton Foundation. Responsibilities include fostering early-stage pipeline growth, overseeing project scoping and due diligence, delivering Technical Assistance—such as feasibility assessments—and conducting field visits to advance priority opportunities toward full-scale implementation. Additionally, the individual will ensure transparent communication of project progress to internal stakeholders through established reporting mechanisms, maintaining clear visibility of critical milestones, potential risks, and key achievements across the portfolio.
The Senior Manager’s responsibilities include overseeing the examination of financial and grant reports submitted by project partners to confirm that funds are allocated in strict alignment with approved budgets and maintained under rigorous financial oversight. This role will contribute to the development of progress reports for the Rob Walton Foundation and other stakeholders, ensuring compliance with all reporting deadlines and accuracy standards. Furthermore, the position will assist in establishing and maintaining robust systems, governance frameworks, and operational procedures to uphold project integrity and optimize delivery outcomes.
This role does not involve direct supervision of personnel.
Oversee daily operations to ensure adherence to established protocols and maintain high standards of service delivery, while fostering a productive and collaborative work environment. Lead and mentor a team of professionals, providing guidance, support, and performance evaluations to drive continuous improvement and achieve organizational goals. Develop and implement strategic initiatives, policies, and procedures to optimize workflows, enhance efficiency, and align with company objectives. Collaborate with cross-functional departments to identify opportunities for growth, innovation, and process enhancements that support long-term success. Monitor key performance indicators, analyze data trends, and generate reports to assess operational effectiveness and recommend data-driven solutions. Ensure compliance with industry regulations, safety standards, and legal requirements to mitigate risks and uphold organizational integrity. Cultivate strong stakeholder relationships to strengthen partnerships, enhance customer satisfaction, and drive business expansion.
Overseeing project execution and ensuring timely delivery of outcomes are central to this role, which demands strong project management skills and a commitment to achieving defined objectives. The position requires meticulous attention to detail, the ability to coordinate cross-functional teams, and proficiency in utilizing project management methodologies and tools. Additionally, the role entails managing stakeholder expectations, mitigating risks, and maintaining clear communication throughout the project lifecycle to drive successful delivery.
Oversee the execution and administration of a diverse portfolio of nature-based carbon initiatives throughout Africa, collaborating closely with Conservation International’s (CI) field programs, pertinent CI project teams, partners, and external service providers to guarantee alignment with sanctioned work plans, allocated budgets, and established timelines.
Support the facilitation of Keystone Protected Area Financing (KPF) initiatives in partnership with the Rob Walton Foundation. This encompasses the following responsibilities:
The process entails identifying and defining the scope of potential project opportunities to ensure alignment with strategic goals and resource availability.
Responsible for developing and executing Technical Assistance (TA) packages, ensuring timely and effective delivery to meet client needs.
We assist in advancing initiatives to ensure project funding is acquired and maintained.
Collaborating with Co-Management Partners and Protected Area Management initiatives, we aim to strengthen local carbon finance capabilities.
Collaborate closely with key stakeholders to establish project-specific work plans and determine deliverables, ensuring clear definition of roles and responsibilities throughout the project lifecycle to maintain accountability.
Monitor project progress vigilantly, proactively detect potential delivery risks, and execute corrective measures to uphold schedule adherence and quality benchmarks.
Develop, implement, and oversee project monitoring and evaluation frameworks to ensure accurate tracking and assessment of progress and outcomes.
Collaborate effectively with the finance, grants, and contracts unit to monitor project budgets, ensuring adherence to allocated funds and the fulfillment of project deliverables throughout the entire project lifespan.
Oversee interactions with project partners, consultants, Validation & Verification Bodies (VVBs), and additional service providers, ensuring accountability and adherence to scheduled timelines.
Regular field visits will be conducted to evaluate the progress of implementation, assess partner capacity, monitor safeguards performance, and determine overall project readiness.
You will partner with institutional carbon-focused staff and teams across field and global programs, facilitating coordination and open communication to guarantee alignment with Conservation International’s Natural Climate Solutions and carbon crediting strategies and priorities.
Prepare progress reports for the Rob Walton Foundation and other donors, ensuring all reporting obligations are fulfilled accurately and punctually.
We specialize in the structured development of carbon projects, focusing on identifying, designing, and implementing initiatives that generate verifiable emissions reductions or removals. This role requires expertise in carbon methodologies, regulatory frameworks, and stakeholder engagement to ensure project eligibility, integrity, and scalability. Responsibilities include conducting feasibility studies, securing necessary approvals, and coordinating with auditors, financiers, and local partners to validate and monetize carbon credits. Candidates must demonstrate proficiency in carbon accounting, project finance, and compliance with international standards such as the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) or Gold Standard. Strong analytical, communication, and project management skills are essential for navigating complex environmental markets and delivering high-integrity carbon solutions.
As the Carbon Finance technical lead, you will oversee the preparation and delivery of Project Descriptions, Monitoring Reports, and other essential documentation to facilitate successful project validation and verification, ensuring adherence to relevant carbon standards. This role involves guiding project teams in strategic planning, technical input, and review, as well as monitoring and evaluation processes. Additionally, you will supervise consultants, Validation & Verification Bodies (VVBs), and other service providers to ensure project objectives are met efficiently.
Provide tailored training in carbon project development to countries, projects, and partners within the Climate Initiative (CI) network, as determined by their specific needs assessments.
Conducting thorough evaluations and risk assessments of pipelines, we perform comprehensive due diligence to ensure operational integrity, regulatory compliance, and financial viability. This role involves detailed inspections, data analysis, and adherence to industry standards to identify potential vulnerabilities, assess structural integrity, and mitigate operational risks. Candidates must possess expertise in pipeline systems, regulatory frameworks, and risk management methodologies, along with strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and stakeholders.
Conduct preliminary evaluations, feasibility studies, and thorough due diligence for emerging carbon project opportunities. This role involves performing comprehensive desk-based reviews and technical assessments of project documentation, including design frameworks, alongside direct collaboration with project stakeholders. Additionally, the position may require on-site due diligence visits to verify project details and validate findings when necessary.
Assess projected emission reductions and removals, evaluate governance readiness and safeguards frameworks, and analyze implementation risks to support informed investment decisions.
Deliver well-defined guidance on the feasibility and preparedness of projects for advancement into the development phase.
We are seeking a forward-thinking professional to drive technical innovation within our organization, spearheading the development and implementation of cutting-edge solutions to enhance operational efficiency and competitive advantage. The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in engineering or technology, with proven expertise in designing, prototyping, and deploying innovative systems. Responsibilities include identifying emerging technologies, assessing their potential impact on business objectives, and leading cross-functional teams to integrate these advancements seamlessly. Additionally, they will collaborate with stakeholders to define project scopes, allocate resources effectively, and ensure alignment with strategic goals while fostering a culture of continuous improvement and experimentation.
You will assist in creating carbon-related tools, frameworks, and templates to enhance efficiency in data collection, analysis, and storytelling for feasibility assessments, due diligence reports, project descriptions, and monitoring reports. This includes developing emissions reduction or removal models, as well as systems for biodiversity and community monitoring, stakeholder engagement strategies, work plans, and theory of change models.
Offer expert technical evaluations and feedback on revisions to carbon market standards and methodologies, which will be spearheaded by the Carbon Finance team.
Safeguards and ensures the integrity of projects by implementing robust risk management protocols, monitoring compliance with organizational policies, and identifying potential threats to project objectives. This role involves conducting thorough assessments of project activities, verifying adherence to established standards, and mitigating risks to maintain operational excellence and stakeholder confidence. Additionally, the position requires meticulous documentation, regular audits, and proactive collaboration with cross-functional teams to uphold the highest levels of integrity and accountability throughout the project lifecycle.
Qualified professionals, robust systems, and effective governance frameworks must be established to uphold safeguards, Free, Prior and Informed Consent (EPIC), benefit-sharing commitments, and carbon integrity standards.
Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field is required. At least three years of professional experience in software development or relevant roles is essential. Proficiency in programming languages such as Java, Python, or C++ is mandatory. Strong problem-solving abilities and analytical thinking are critical for this position. Excellent communication skills for collaborating with cross-functional teams are also necessary. Familiarity with agile methodologies and version control systems like Git is preferred. Prior experience with cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure) is a significant advantage.
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, evaluation, or execution of Nature-based Solutions (NBS) projects, you bring a strong foundation in sustainable environmental initiatives.
Requires proven expertise in validating and verifying NCS crediting projects (including VCS, Gold Standard, CCBS, among others), with a focus on preparing Project Descriptions (PDs), compiling Monitoring Reports (MRs), and conducting Validation and Verification Body (VVB) audits.
Strong analytical capabilities are essential, with proficiency in constructing and evaluating carbon models that adhere to relevant carbon standards.
Proven track record in project management, encompassing collaboration with cross-functional teams and ensuring accountability for timely delivery among team members and partners.
Proven expertise in collaborating with local stakeholders, demonstrating a comprehensive grasp of the practical complexities and obstacles inherent in project execution and delivery.
Proven ability to collaborate effectively with individuals and groups from varied economic, cultural, religious, gender, and professional backgrounds, as well as across multiple countries and geographic regions.
Demonstrates exceptional proficiency in both written and verbal English communication.
Proven capacity to thrive in fast-paced environments, skillfully manage multiple responsibilities, prioritize tasks effectively, and consistently produce high-quality outcomes.
Proven track record in solving complex problems and leveraging existing expertise to innovate and devise novel solutions.
Preferred
A master’s degree in a pertinent discipline is required.
Proficiency in either French or Swahili is required.
Seasoned expertise in implementing a diverse array of Nature-based Solutions (NBS) strategies across various project types and pathways is required, encompassing forest conservation initiatives such as RED+, ecosystem restoration efforts like ARR, sustainable forest management approaches including IFM, enhanced rangeland and grassland management practices, as well as blue carbon projects.
Proven track record in overseeing diversified carbon project portfolios spanning multiple countries, with a focus on Africa or other emerging market settings.
Proven expertise in conducting carbon accounting for soils, encompassing diverse ecosystems such as peatlands, wetlands, and rangeland.
Possesses a comprehensive understanding of financial frameworks for carbon initiatives, encompassing revenue projections, allocation of benefits, and financial modeling specific to carbon projects.
Proficiency in providing instruction to field teams on the creation and execution of monitoring strategies for forests, carbon, and biodiversity is required.
Professional experience collaborating with private-sector organizations on climate initiatives and nature-based climate solutions (NCS) is required.
Applicants should demonstrate prior engagement with Indigenous peoples and traditional communities, along with expertise in safeguard frameworks, Free Prior and Informed Consent (EPIC), grievance mechanisms, and benefit-sharing mechanisms specifically tailored to carbon project implementation.
Possesses a proven track record of collaboration with government stakeholders and contributing to policy formulation across diverse African nations.
Qualifications
BA/BSc/HND , MBA/MSc/MA
Experience Required
5 - 7 years
