The Carbon Finance team collaborates with CI field programs and partner organizations to identify and finance a robust pipeline of high-quality natural climate solutions (NCS) carbon projects. These projects are complemented by innovative financial structures to ensure lasting sustainability and robust private sector involvement. Drawing on CI’s extensive expertise, the team enhances the quality of gigatons of emission reductions and removals within voluntary and compliance carbon markets. Emphasis is placed on maximizing impact through meaningful community engagement, equitable benefit-sharing, biodiversity and environmental co-benefits, and strict adherence to safeguards.
The Senior Manager, Carbon Projects Delivery will oversee the design and execution of a diverse portfolio of Nature-based Climate Solutions (NCS) carbon projects across Africa, ensuring on-the-ground implementation adheres to approved timelines while aligning with established certification standards and Conservation International’s principles of excellence. In addition, this position will serve as a key member of the Keystone Protected Area Financing (KPF) team, collaborating closely with the Rob Walton Foundation to mobilize funding for protected areas. The role will involve cultivating partnerships with project stakeholders and working in tandem with cross-functional teams to advance critical milestones, including the preparation and submission of Project Descriptions (PDs) and Monitoring Reports (MRs), as well as guiding projects through validation and verification procedures. Effective coordination with internal project teams and country offices will be essential to maintain alignment, uphold accountability, and ensure timely delivery, which may include conducting regular field visits at various stages of project development to oversee implementation, evaluate risks, and provide hands-on support to field teams.
The Senior Manager will be instrumental in executing Keystone Protected Area Financing initiatives in partnership with the Rob Walton Foundation. This encompasses aiding the early-stage development of the project pipeline, conducting comprehensive scoping and due diligence assessments, delivering technical assistance—such as feasibility evaluations—and performing on-site visits. Additionally, the role involves collaborating with project partners to advance high-priority opportunities toward full-scale implementation. The individual will ensure transparency by regularly updating internal stakeholders through established reporting mechanisms, highlighting key milestones, potential risks, and notable achievements across the portfolio.
The Senior Manager will oversee the evaluation of financial and grant reports submitted by project partners to confirm that funds are allocated strictly in alignment with approved budgets and maintained with stringent financial oversight. This role will assist in compiling and submitting progress reports to the Rob Walton Foundation and other funding entities, ensuring all reporting obligations are fulfilled precisely and punctually. Furthermore, the position will contribute to establishing and maintaining robust systems, governance frameworks, and operational protocols to uphold the integrity and seamless execution of projects.
This role does not involve direct supervision of personnel.
Oversee a broad range of tasks to ensure efficient and effective operations, including managing day-to-day activities, coordinating team efforts, and maintaining high performance standards across all assigned functions. Develop and implement strategic initiatives to enhance productivity, streamline processes, and support organizational goals. Monitor progress through regular evaluations, providing constructive feedback and guidance to foster continuous improvement. Collaborate closely with stakeholders at all levels to align objectives, resolve challenges, and drive collective success. Ensure compliance with company policies and industry regulations while prioritizing safety, quality, and customer satisfaction in every endeavor.
Experienced professionals in project management and delivery oversee the planning, execution, and completion of projects from initiation to closure, ensuring adherence to timelines, budgets, and quality standards. They coordinate cross-functional teams, mitigate risks, and implement methodologies such as Agile or Waterfall to achieve project objectives efficiently. Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills are essential, along with proficiency in project management tools and techniques to monitor progress and deliver successful outcomes.
Leverage cross-functional collaboration with CI field programs, designated project teams, external partners, and contracted service providers to oversee the execution of a diverse portfolio of nature-based carbon initiatives throughout Africa, ensuring strict adherence to approved work plans, allocated budgets, and established timelines.
Provide assistance in executing the Keystone Protected Area Financing (KPF) initiative in partnership with the Rob Walton Foundation, encompassing the following tasks:
The identification and delineation of potential project opportunities is a critical responsibility, requiring thorough market analysis, stakeholder engagement, and strategic assessment to evaluate feasibility and alignment with organizational goals.
Scope and execution of Technical Assistance packages, ensuring alignment with client requirements and project objectives.
We assist in the execution of initiatives to ensure the acquisition of necessary project funding, working collaboratively to align resources and meet investment objectives. Our role involves contributing to strategic planning, conducting feasibility assessments, and preparing compelling proposals to attract potential investors. Additionally, we monitor progress, track financial metrics, and provide regular updates to stakeholders to maintain transparency and secure sustained financial backing throughout each project’s lifecycle.
Collaborating with Co-Management Partners and Protected Area Management initiatives to strengthen local capabilities in carbon finance represents a key aspect of this role.
In collaboration with key stakeholders, establish tailored project work plans and determine critical deliverables, assigning distinct roles and responsibilities to uphold accountability throughout each phase of the project lifecycle.
Monitor project deliverables to evaluate performance, proactively detect potential delivery risks, and apply corrective measures to uphold schedule adherence and quality benchmarks.
Develop and uphold robust monitoring and evaluation frameworks to systematically track project progress and outcomes. Ensure these frameworks are consistently applied to assess performance, identify areas for improvement, and support data-driven decision-making throughout project lifecycles.
Collaborate effectively with the finance, grants, and contracts team to monitor project budgets meticulously, ensuring deliverables remain on track throughout the entire project lifecycle.
Build and maintain strong connections with project partners, consultants, Validation & Verification Bodies (VVBs), and external service providers to uphold accountability and ensure on-time delivery of project milestones.
Regular field visits will be conducted to evaluate progress in implementation, assess partner capacity and safeguards performance, and determine overall project readiness.
Work closely with, coordinate, collaborate, and communicate with all institutional carbon-related staff & teams (field and global programs) to ensure alignment with CI’s NCS and carbon crediting strategies and priorities.
Prepare progress reports for the Rob Walton Foundation and other donors, guaranteeing that all reporting obligations are fulfilled accurately and within specified deadlines.
Develop and execute initiatives to advance carbon offset projects, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and regulatory standards. Identify viable opportunities for carbon reduction, sequestration, or avoidance across diverse sectors, including energy, agriculture, and forestry. Conduct thorough feasibility assessments to evaluate technical, financial, and environmental viability, collaborating with cross-functional teams to refine project scopes. Prepare and submit project proposals, securing necessary approvals and funding from stakeholders and regulatory bodies. Monitor project performance, track emission reductions, and prepare accurate, transparent reporting to support compliance and stakeholder confidence. Stay current with evolving carbon markets, policies, and best practices to optimize project outcomes and maximize environmental impact.
As the Carbon Finance technical lead, you will oversee the preparation and delivery of Project Descriptions (PDs), Monitoring Reports (MRs), and other relevant documentation to facilitate project validation and verification, ensuring adherence to applicable carbon standards. This role involves guiding project teams in work planning, offering technical expertise and review, conducting monitoring and evaluation, and managing consultants, Validation & Verification Bodies (VVBs), and external service providers.
Provide tailored training in carbon project development to countries, projects, and partners involved in CI initiatives, based on an evaluation of their specific requirements.
Conducts thorough evaluation and analysis of pipelines to assess integrity and ensure compliance with industry standards and regulatory requirements. Responsible for performing comprehensive due diligence to identify potential risks, evaluate operational efficiency, and validate technical specifications. Requires expertise in pipeline systems, risk assessment methodologies, and adherence to safety protocols to mitigate hazards and optimize performance.
Conduct preliminary evaluations and feasibility analyses for nascent carbon project prospects. This role encompasses comprehensive desktop research and technical assessments of supporting documentation related to project design, in addition to direct consultations with project stakeholders and, when necessary, on-site due diligence visits.
Assess anticipated emission reductions and removals, governance preparedness, safeguard frameworks, and potential implementation risks to guide investment choices.
Deliver methodical assessments regarding the feasibility and preparedness of projects for advancement.
We seek a dynamic leader to spearhead technical innovation, driving the development and implementation of cutting-edge solutions that enhance product performance and operational efficiency. The ideal candidate will possess a robust technical background, with expertise in emerging technologies, system architecture, and digital transformation strategies. Responsibilities include identifying opportunities for technological advancement, fostering a culture of innovation, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to integrate novel approaches into existing frameworks. Strong problem-solving skills, a forward-thinking mindset, and a passion for leveraging technology to solve complex challenges are essential. Experience in leading innovation initiatives, managing R&D projects, and aligning technical advancements with business objectives is highly desirable.
Develop carbon-focused tools, frameworks, and templates that enhance the efficiency of data collection, analysis, and reporting for feasibility assessments, due diligence reports, project descriptions (PDs), and monitoring reports (MRs). Key responsibilities include creating models for emissions reduction or removal, biodiversity and community monitoring, stakeholder engagement strategies, work plans, and theory of change frameworks.
Conduct technical evaluations and furnish commentary on carbon market standards and methodological reviews spearheaded by the Carbon Finance team.
Safeguards the integrity of projects and ensures robust security measures are in place, mitigating risks and maintaining compliance with organizational standards and regulatory requirements.
Qualified professionals, robust systems, and effective governance frameworks must be established and maintained to guarantee adherence to safeguards, Free, Prior and Informed Consent (EPIC), benefit-sharing obligations, and carbon integrity standards.
Seeking a highly motivated individual with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field, and 3+ years of professional software development experience. Proficiency in Java, Python, or C++ is required, along with strong problem-solving skills and the ability to thrive in a collaborative team environment. Responsibilities include designing scalable software solutions, writing clean and efficient code, debugging complex issues, and mentoring junior developers.
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 proven track record spanning five to seven years, you will have actively contributed to the development, due diligence, or delivery of Nature-based Solutions (NBS) projects.
We seek candidates with proven expertise in validating and verifying NCS crediting initiatives—such as VCS, Gold Standard, and CCBS—along with proficiency in preparing Project Descriptions (PDs), Monitoring Reports (MRs), and conducting Validation and Verification Body (VVB) audits.
Strong analytical capabilities are essential to design, construct, and evaluate carbon models in accordance with relevant carbon standards.
Experienced in leading project initiatives with a proven track record of directing cross-functional teams and ensuring accountability among team members and stakeholders for on-time delivery.
Seasoned in collaborating with local partners, you possess a keen awareness of the practical realities and obstacles encountered during project development and execution.
Demonstrates a 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.
Fluent proficiency in both written and spoken English is required.
Exhibits strong composure in high-pressure situations while efficiently managing multiple tasks, establishing clear priorities, and consistently producing high-quality outcomes.
Proven aptitude in solving complex challenges and leveraging current expertise to pioneer innovative solutions.
Preferred
A relevant field of study culminating in a master’s degree is required.
Proficiency in either French or Swahili is required.
Experienced in implementing a range of Nature-based Solutions (NBS) pathways and project types, such as forest conservation initiatives through RED+, restoration of native ecosystems via Afforestation, Reforestation, and Revegetation (ARR), enhanced forest management approaches (IFM), sustainable rangeland and grassland management practices, and blue carbon projects.
Experienced in overseeing diversified carbon project portfolios spanning multiple countries, with a primary focus on Africa or other emerging market environments.
Proficiency in carbon accounting methodologies specific to soils, including peatlands, wetlands, and rangeland, is required.
Proficient in the financial structuring of carbon projects, encompassing revenue forecasting, benefit-sharing mechanisms, and the construction of financial models specific to such initiatives.
Proven expertise in instructing field teams on the creation and execution of monitoring plans focused on forest management, carbon assessment, and biodiversity conservation.
Professional experience engaging with private sector entities on climate solutions or initiatives focused on Natural Climate Solutions (NCS).
Seeking candidates with hands-on experience collaborating with Indigenous peoples and traditional communities, coupled with a strong understanding of safeguards frameworks, Free Prior and Informed Consent (EPIC) protocols, grievance mechanisms, and benefit-sharing structures in carbon initiatives.
Professionals sought with a background in collaborating with governmental entities and contributing to policy formation across multiple African nations.
Qualifications
BA/BSc/HND , MBA/MSc/MA
Experience Required
5 - 7 years
