The Carbon Finance team collaborates extensively with CI’s field programs and external partners to identify and secure funding for a robust pipeline of premium NCS carbon initiatives, supported by creative financing solutions that foster lasting sustainability and encourage private sector engagement. Leveraging CI’s extensive expertise and technical capabilities, the team drives the development and enhancement of gigaton-scale emission reductions and removals within voluntary and compliance carbon markets. A core focus of the CF team lies in maximizing impact through meaningful community involvement and equitable benefit-sharing, conservation of biodiversity and ecosystem benefits, and the strict implementation of safeguards.
The Senior Manager, Carbon Projects Delivery will oversee the design and execution of a diverse portfolio of Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) carbon initiatives across Africa, ensuring field-level implementation adheres to established timelines and complies with approved work plans, certification protocols, and CI’s stringent quality benchmarks. Integral to the Keystone Protected Area Financing (KPF) team, the role will collaborate closely with the Rob Walton Foundation to mobilize investment in protected areas. This position will cultivate relationships with project stakeholders and partner with cross-functional teams to advance critical milestones—such as the creation and submission of Project Descriptions (PDs) and Monitoring Reports (MRs)—while guiding projects through validation and verification stages. Effective coordination among internal teams and country offices is essential to maintain alignment, uphold accountability, and ensure timely delivery, including conducting periodic field assessments at key project stages to track progress, mitigate risks, and provide hands-on support to implementation teams.
The Senior Manager will serve a pivotal function in executing the Keystone Protected Area Financing initiative, working in partnership with the Rob Walton Foundation. Responsibilities encompass facilitating early-stage pipeline development, executing project scoping and due diligence, delivering Technical Assistance—such as conducting feasibility assessments—and performing field visits. Additionally, the role involves collaborating with project partners to advance high-priority opportunities toward full-scale implementation. The individual will also ensure transparency by regularly updating internal stakeholders through established reporting mechanisms, highlighting critical milestones, potential risks, and key accomplishments 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 in strict adherence to approved budgets and maintained with rigorous financial oversight. Additionally, the position will assist in compiling progress reports for the Rob Walton Foundation and other funding entities, ensuring that all reporting obligations are fulfilled punctually and with precision. The role will further contribute to establishing and maintaining robust systems, governance frameworks, and operational procedures to uphold the integrity and successful execution of projects.
This role does not encompass direct oversight of employees.
We are seeking a highly motivated individual to oversee daily operations, ensuring adherence to established protocols and fostering a productive work environment. Key duties include managing team workflows, coordinating project timelines, and resolving operational challenges to meet organizational objectives. Additionally, the role demands strong communication skills to liaise with stakeholders, monitor performance metrics, and implement process improvements as needed. Candidates must demonstrate proficiency in relevant software tools, a keen attention to detail, and the ability to multitask effectively in a fast-paced setting.
We oversee project execution and ensure timely delivery, coordinating resources, timelines, and stakeholders to achieve defined objectives efficiently and effectively.
Coordinate and oversee the successful 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 ensure alignment with approved work plans, allocated budgets, and established timelines.
Support the facilitation of Keystone Protected Area Financing (KPF) initiatives in partnership with the Rob Walton Foundation, ensuring the successful execution of all related activities. This encompasses a range of responsibilities including:
The process involves identifying and defining the scope of potential project opportunities systematically.
Development and implementation of Technical Assistance (TA) initiatives are integral responsibilities.
Assisting in the execution of initiatives aimed at securing funding for various projects.
Collaborating with Co-Management Partners and Protected Area Management initiatives to enhance local carbon finance capabilities represents a core responsibility of this role.
In close collaboration with pertinent stakeholders, craft project-specific work plans and delineate deliverables, establishing key roles and responsibilities to uphold accountability throughout the project lifecycle.
Evaluate ongoing project progress, proactively detect potential delivery challenges, and execute necessary adjustments to uphold established timelines and quality benchmarks.
Develop, implement, and oversee project monitoring and evaluation frameworks to ensure accurate tracking of progress and outcomes.
Collaborate effectively with the finance, grants, and contracts unit to monitor project budgets, guaranteeing the consistent achievement of project deliverables throughout the entire project lifecycle.
Foster strategic partnerships with project collaborators, consultants, validation and verification authorities, and external service providers to uphold accountability and ensure punctual project completion.
Perform routine on-site evaluations to monitor the progress of implementation, evaluate partner capabilities, assess safeguard effectiveness, and verify overall project preparedness.
Collaborate and coordinate comprehensively with institutional carbon-focused staff and teams—both in field and global programs—to ensure full alignment with Conservation International’s Nature, Climate, and Carbon (NCS) strategies and carbon crediting priorities.
Assist in compiling and finalizing progress reports for the Rob Walton Foundation and additional donors, guaranteeing that all reporting commitments are fulfilled with precision and punctuality.
Responsible for spearheading initiatives in carbon project development, this role involves identifying, structuring, and executing projects that generate carbon credits or offsets. Key responsibilities include evaluating project feasibility, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards, and securing necessary certifications. The position requires a deep understanding of carbon markets, methodologies for emission reductions, and stakeholder engagement. Proficiency in financial modeling, project finance, and carbon accounting is essential, along with strong analytical and communication skills. Experience in renewable energy, energy efficiency, or nature-based solutions is highly desirable. The ideal candidate will demonstrate a proven track record in successfully developing and monetizing carbon projects while adhering to environmental integrity and market-driven principles.
Serve as the technical lead for Carbon Finance, overseeing the preparation and delivery of Project Descriptions (PDs), Monitoring Reports (MRs), and related documentation to facilitate project validation and verification processes in accordance with applicable carbon standards. Responsibilities involve guiding project stakeholders through work planning, offering technical expertise and review, implementing monitoring and evaluation frameworks, and supervising the performance of consultants, Validation & Verification Bodies (VVBs), and other external service providers.
Provide tailored training on carbon project development to countries, projects, and partners in CI, as determined by their specific needs assessments.
We conduct thorough evaluations of pipelines and perform comprehensive due diligence to identify potential risks, compliance gaps, and operational inefficiencies. This process involves analyzing technical, environmental, regulatory, and financial factors to ensure projects meet industry standards and stakeholder expectations. Key responsibilities include assessing structural integrity, evaluating environmental impacts, verifying regulatory compliance, and reviewing financial projections. Candidates must possess strong analytical skills, relevant technical expertise, and a deep understanding of industry best practices to succeed in this role.
Support the initial scoping phase and evaluate the feasibility of emerging carbon project opportunities. This entails conducting thorough desk-based reviews and technical assessments of project documentation, including design specifics, alongside direct consultations with project stakeholders. Additionally, where necessary, perform on-site due diligence visits to thoroughly examine project operations and validate findings.
Assess projected emission reductions and removals, evaluate governance readiness and safeguards frameworks, and identify implementation risks to guide investment decisions.
Deliver well-organized assessments regarding the feasibility and preparedness of projects for advancement.
We are seeking a forward-thinking individual to spearhead technical innovation within our organization. The ideal candidate will possess a proven track record of driving advancements in technology and implementing cutting-edge solutions to enhance operational efficiency and competitive advantage. Responsibilities include researching emerging technologies, developing strategic roadmaps, fostering collaboration across departments, and leading pilot projects to assess feasibility and scalability. A strong background in engineering or related fields, coupled with expertise in innovation management and change leadership, is essential. Additionally, the role demands exceptional analytical skills, creativity in problem-solving, and the ability to translate complex technical concepts into actionable strategies. Proficiency in project management methodologies and a commitment to continuous learning are also required.
Support the creation of carbon-related tools, frameworks, and templates designed to enhance the efficiency of data collection, analysis, and storytelling in feasibility assessments, due diligence reports, project descriptions (PDs), and monitoring reports (MRs). 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 models.
Conduct evaluations and furnish technical 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 initiatives throughout their lifecycle, mitigating risks and enforcing compliance with organizational policies and regulatory standards.
To guarantee the presence of qualified professionals, robust systems, and effective governance frameworks that uphold safeguards, Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (EPIC), benefit-sharing obligations, and carbon integrity standards.
Seeking a highly skilled and experienced professional with a proven track record in [specific field or role], preferably holding [required degree or certification]. The ideal candidate will possess [X years] of hands-on experience in [key responsibilities], along with expertise in [specific skills or tools]. Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication abilities are essential to excel in this role. Familiarity with [industry standards, regulations, or software] is required, and prior experience in [specific industry or sector] is highly desirable. The ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and deliver results under tight deadlines is crucial. Proficiency in [technical or soft skills] and a commitment to continuous learning will ensure success in this position.
Required
A Bachelor’s degree in forestry, rangeland management, ecology, natural resource management, climate science, environmental science, or a closely related field is required.
A minimum of five to seven years of hands-on experience in the conception, evaluation, or implementation of Nature-based Solutions (NBS) projects is required.
Professional candidates should possess a proven track record in validating and verifying NCS crediting initiatives, such as those under the VCS, Gold Standard, or CCBS frameworks, with expertise in crafting Project Descriptions (PDs), compiling Monitoring Reports (MRs), and conducting Validation and Verification Body (VVB) audits.
Proven analytical capabilities, coupled with expertise in designing and evaluating carbon models in strict adherence to relevant carbon standards.
Proven success in leading project management initiatives, with expertise in directing cross-functional teams and ensuring accountability for both personal and partner deliverables.
Professional experience collaborating with regional stakeholders, demonstrating a comprehensive grasp of practical considerations and operational hurdles in project implementation and execution.
Demonstrated experience collaborating effectively with individuals, teams, clients, stakeholders, and partners across varied economic, cultural, religious, gender, and professional backgrounds, spanning multiple countries and geographic regions.
Fluent and articulate written and verbal communication skills in English are required.
Demonstrates strong resilience in high-pressure environments, excels at managing multiple tasks simultaneously, effectively prioritizes workloads, and consistently produces high-quality outcomes.
Proven capacity for analytical thinking and innovation, leveraging existing expertise to devise novel solutions.
Preferred
A relevant field must be represented by an earned master’s degree.
Proficiency in either French or Swahili is required.
Proven expertise in implementing a diverse range of Nature-based Solutions (NCS), spanning forest conservation initiatives like RED+, ecosystem restoration through Afforestation, Reforestation, and Revegetation (ARR), sustainable forest management practices (IFM), enhancement of rangeland and grassland ecosystems, as well as blue carbon projects.
Proven track record in overseeing diverse carbon project portfolios spanning multiple countries, with a focus on Africa or other emerging market regions.
Proficiency in carbon accounting methodologies tailored to soil ecosystems, including peatlands, wetlands, and rangeland, is required.
Proficient in the financial structuring of carbon projects, encompassing revenue forecasting, benefit-sharing mechanisms, and financial modeling specific to carbon initiatives.
Proven expertise in instructing field teams on the creation and execution of monitoring strategies for forest ecosystems, carbon accounting, and biodiversity conservation is required.
Proficiency in executing projects or collaborating with private-sector entities focused on climate solutions and natural climate solutions initiatives is required.
Experience in collaboration with Indigenous peoples and traditional communities is essential, along with a strong understanding of safeguards frameworks, Free Prior and Informed Consent (EPIC), grievance mechanisms, and benefit-sharing frameworks in carbon project contexts.
Proficiency in collaborating with governmental stakeholders and contributing to policy formulation across diverse African nations.
Qualifications
BA/BSc/HND , MBA/MSc/MA
Experience Required
5 - 7 years
