The Carbon Finance team collaborates with CI field programs and partner organizations to develop and finance a robust portfolio of high-quality Nature Climate Solutions (NCS) carbon projects, supported by innovative financial mechanisms that foster long-term sustainability and private sector involvement. By leveraging CI’s extensive knowledge and technical expertise, the team enhances the quality of gigatons of emission reductions and removals within both voluntary and compliance carbon markets. Prioritizing impact, the CF team emphasizes community engagement and equitable benefit-sharing, biodiversity and environmental co-benefits, and rigorous safeguard implementation.
The Senior Manager, Carbon Projects Delivery will oversee the design, implementation, and completion of a diverse portfolio of Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) carbon initiatives spanning Africa, ensuring that field-level execution adheres to established timelines and complies with approved work plans, certification benchmarks, and CI’s stringent quality standards. In this capacity, the role will also serve as a key contributor to the Keystone Protected Area Financing (KPF) initiative, collaborating closely with the Rob Walton Foundation to mobilize investments in protected areas. The position will foster and maintain partnerships with external stakeholders while working in tandem with cross-functional teams to advance critical milestones—such as the preparation and submission of Project Descriptions (PDs) and Monitoring Reports (MRs)—and facilitate project progression through validation and verification stages. Effective coordination among internal project teams and regional offices will be essential to uphold alignment, enforce accountability, and ensure timely delivery, including conducting periodic field assessments at various stages of project development to evaluate implementation progress, identify potential risks, and provide hands-on support to field teams.
The Senior Manager will spearhead the execution of Keystone Protected Area Financing initiatives in partnership with the Rob Walton Foundation. Key responsibilities include fostering early-stage pipeline development, overseeing project scoping and due diligence, delivering Technical Assistance—such as feasibility assessments—and conducting field visits. Additionally, the role involves collaborating with project partners to advance priority opportunities toward full-scale implementation. To maintain transparency, the individual will report project progress to internal stakeholders through established reporting mechanisms, ensuring visibility of critical milestones, potential risks, and key achievements across the portfolio.
The Senior Manager will oversee the examination of financial and grant reports submitted by project partners to confirm that funds are allocated strictly in alignment with pre-approved budgets and maintained under rigorous financial oversight. This position will assist in compiling progress reports for the Rob Walton Foundation and other funding entities, ensuring all reporting obligations are fulfilled with precision and punctuality. Furthermore, the role will play a key part in establishing and maintaining robust systems, governance frameworks, and operational procedures to uphold the integrity of projects and optimize their successful execution.
This role does not involve direct oversight of personnel.
Responsibilities include overseeing project execution to ensure timely completion, coordinating between departments to align objectives, and managing stakeholder communications to maintain transparency. Additionally, the role requires conducting risk assessments to identify potential challenges and implementing mitigation strategies to minimize disruptions. Budget oversight and resource allocation are essential to optimize efficiency, while performance metrics will be tracked to evaluate progress and outcomes. The position also involves fostering collaboration among team members to enhance productivity and innovation.
Responsible for overseeing project planning, execution, and successful delivery, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and client expectations. Manages cross-functional teams, allocates resources efficiently, and monitors progress to mitigate risks and maintain timelines. Requires strong leadership, problem-solving skills, and proficiency in project management methodologies. Collaborates with stakeholders to define scope, set milestones, and communicate updates. Demonstrates expertise in budgeting, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance to achieve project goals.
Oversee the end-to-end delivery of a diverse portfolio of nature-based carbon initiatives throughout Africa, collaborating extensively with Conservation International’s field programs, specialized project teams, external partners, and contracted service providers to guarantee alignment with approved implementation plans, allocated budgets, and scheduled timelines.
Assist in executing the Keystone Protected Area Financing (KPF) initiative in partnership with the Rob Walton Foundation. Responsibilities encompass a range of tasks associated with this collaboration, including but not limited to administrative coordination, financial management, and strategic planning to ensure the successful implementation of the program.
Responsible for identifying and defining the parameters of potential project opportunities, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and strategic goals.
Responsible for developing and executing comprehensive Technical Assistance (TA) packages, ensuring timely and effective delivery to meet organizational objectives.
Facilitating initiatives to ensure the acquisition of project funding.
Collaborating with Co-Management Partners and Protected Area Management, the role focuses on enhancing local carbon finance capabilities to support sustainable development initiatives.
In collaboration with relevant stakeholders, craft project-specific work plans and pinpoint key deliverables while establishing clear roles and responsibilities to uphold accountability throughout the project lifecycle.
Monitor project performance, proactively identify potential delivery risks, and execute corrective measures to uphold schedule adherence and maintain high-quality standards throughout the project lifecycle.
Develop and oversee project monitoring and evaluation frameworks to ensure consistent tracking and assessment of project performance.
Collaborate effectively with the finance, grants, and contracts unit to monitor project budgets, ensuring that deliverables remain on track throughout the entirety of the project lifecycle.
Foster collaborative relationships with project partners, consultants, Validation & Verification Bodies (VVBs), and other service providers to uphold accountability and ensure punctual delivery.
Regularly carry out on-site evaluations to evaluate progress in implementation, assess partner capabilities, monitor safeguard performance, and determine overall project preparedness.
Collaborate effectively with institutional carbon-related staff and teams—both field-based and global program units—to ensure alignment with Conservation International’s Nature, Climate, and Solutions (NCS) and carbon crediting strategies and priorities.
Prepare progress reports for the Rob Walton Foundation and other donors, ensuring all reporting obligations are fulfilled precisely and punctually.
We seek a skilled professional to spearhead the design and implementation of carbon offset projects, ensuring alignment with regulatory standards and best practices. The role requires expertise in methodologies such as RED+, ACR, and VCS, along with proficiency in carbon accounting, project validation processes, and stakeholder engagement. Responsibilities include conducting feasibility studies, securing carbon credits, and maintaining compliance with evolving environmental policies. Strong analytical, project management, and communication skills are essential to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, investors, and regulatory bodies. A background in environmental science, forestry, or a related field is preferred, along with relevant certifications or experience in carbon markets.
Serve as the technical lead in Carbon Finance, overseeing the preparation and delivery of Project Descriptions (PDs), Monitoring Reports (MRs), and associated documentation to facilitate successful project validation and verification, while ensuring adherence to relevant carbon standards. This role involves guiding project teams with strategic work planning, offering expert technical input and review, conducting monitoring and evaluation activities, and managing the work of consultants, Validation & Verification Bodies (VVBs), and other external service providers.
Provide tailored training on carbon project development to countries, projects, and partners under the CI umbrella, based on identified needs.
Conducting thorough evaluations and risk assessments of pipelines, this role involves comprehensive due diligence to identify potential vulnerabilities, compliance issues, and operational inefficiencies. The position requires meticulous analysis of technical, regulatory, and financial data to ensure asset integrity, safety, and adherence to industry standards. Key responsibilities include assessing pipeline conditions, evaluating maintenance records, and verifying compliance with environmental and safety regulations. Additionally, the role demands collaboration with cross-functional teams to address findings, propose corrective actions, and support decision-making for asset optimization and risk mitigation. Strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and expertise in pipeline operations are essential, along with proficiency in relevant tools and regulatory frameworks.
Facilitate preliminary scoping efforts, evaluate feasibility, and perform thorough due diligence for emerging carbon project prospects. This role entails conducting comprehensive desktop research and technical evaluations of project-related documentation—such as design frameworks—and engaging directly with project stakeholders. Field visits for due diligence may also be required to validate key findings.
Assess projected emission reductions and removals, evaluate governance readiness and safeguards frameworks, and analyze implementation risks to guide investment decisions.
Deliver well-organized guidance regarding the feasibility and preparedness of projects for advancement.
Technical Innovation
We seek a forward-thinking professional to drive cutting-edge advancements, pioneering novel solutions that elevate our technological capabilities. The ideal candidate will possess a robust background in technical domains, coupled with a proven track record of delivering innovative outcomes. Responsibilities include researching emerging technologies, leading cross-functional development teams, and implementing scalable systems to meet evolving business needs. Proficiency in relevant programming languages, frameworks, and tools is essential, along with strong problem-solving skills and a passion for continuous improvement. Collaboration with stakeholders to align innovation strategies with organizational goals is a key requirement.
Support the creation of carbon-related tools, frameworks, and templates to enhance the efficiency of data collection, analysis, and narrative development for feasibility assessments, due diligence reports, PDs, and MRs, covering aspects such as emissions reduction or removal models, biodiversity and community monitoring, stakeholder engagement, work plans, and theory of change models.
Deliver expert technical evaluations and commentary on revisions to carbon market standards and methodologies spearheaded by the Carbon Finance team.
Ensures the protection of assets and maintains the integrity of projects through diligent oversight and adherence to established protocols.
Qualified professionals, robust systems, and effective governance frameworks must be established to maintain safeguards, uphold Free, Prior and Informed Consent (EPIC), honor benefit-sharing agreements, and ensure carbon integrity standards.
Seeking a candidate with a minimum of five years of experience in a senior-level role, preferably in a similar industry, along with a proven track record of leadership and strategic planning. The ideal applicant will hold a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, such as business administration, finance, or engineering, and possess strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills. Additionally, experience with project management software and a deep understanding of industry regulations and compliance standards are required. Proficiency in advanced Excel and data visualization tools, as well as the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment, are also essential.
Required
A degree in forestry, rangeland management, ecology, natural resource management, climate science, environmental science, or a closely related field is required.
With a minimum of five to seven years of hands-on involvement in the conception, evaluation, or implementation of Nature-based Solutions (NBS) projects, you bring a depth of expertise to the role.
Proven expertise in validating and verifying NCS crediting projects, such as those under VCS, Gold Standard, and CCBS frameworks, encompassing the preparation of Project Descriptions (PDs), Monitoring Reports (MRs), and engagements with Validation and Verification Bodies (VVBs) for audits.
Proven expertise in analytical methodologies, with a strong aptitude for designing and evaluating carbon models in strict adherence to established carbon standards.
Experienced in leading projects with a proven track record of effectively managing cross-functional teams, ensuring adherence to deadlines and deliverables through clear accountability measures for both oneself and project partners.
Professional experience collaborating with local stakeholders, equipped with a nuanced grasp of the practical realities and obstacles encountered 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, spanning multiple countries and geographic regions.
Proficient in both written and spoken English communication.
Skilled in managing high-pressure environments, juggling multiple tasks efficiently, and prioritizing workloads effectively to consistently achieve high-quality outcomes.
Proven expertise in resolving complex challenges and leveraging established insights to devise innovative solutions.
Preferred
A master’s degree in a pertinent academic discipline is required.
Proficiency in either French or Swahili is required.
Proven expertise in implementing a diverse range of Nature-based Solutions (NCS) pathways and project types, encompassing forest conservation initiatives (RED+), native ecosystem restoration projects (ARR), enhanced forest management practices (IFM), sustainable rangeland and grassland management, as well as blue carbon programs.
Skilled 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, including peatlands, wetlands, and rangeland, is required.
Proficiency in financial structuring for carbon projects is required, encompassing revenue forecasting, benefit-sharing frameworks, and the development of financial models specific to carbon initiatives.
Proven track record in instructing field teams on the formulation and execution of monitoring strategies for forest ecosystems, carbon accounting, and biodiversity conservation efforts.
Professional candidates will possess proven experience collaborating with private sector entities on climate-focused initiatives, particularly those centered around Natural Climate Solutions (NCS).
Proficiency in collaborating with Indigenous peoples and traditional communities, coupled with expertise in safeguards frameworks, Free Prior and Informed Consent (EPIC), grievance mechanisms, and benefit-sharing frameworks in the context of carbon projects.
Proficiency in collaborating with governmental stakeholders and contributing to the formulation of policies across diverse African nations is required.
Qualifications
BA/BSc/HND , MBA/MSc/MA
Experience Required
5 - 7 years
