The Carbon Finance team collaborates with CI field programs and partner organizations to develop and secure financing for a robust pipeline of high-quality nature-based climate solutions (NCS) carbon projects, supported by innovative financing strategies that ensure long-term sustainability and private sector engagement. By leveraging CI’s extensive expertise and technical capabilities, the team enhances the quality of gigatons of emission reductions and removals in both voluntary and compliance carbon markets. Impact remains central to the team’s efforts, achieved through meaningful community engagement, equitable benefit-sharing, biodiversity and environmental preservation, and the rigorous application of safeguards.
The Senior Manager, Carbon Projects Delivery will oversee the design, implementation, and completion of a diverse portfolio of Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) carbon initiatives across Africa, ensuring strict adherence to established timelines, approved work plans, certification standards, and CI’s commitment to excellence. This position will play a pivotal role within the Keystone Protected Area Financing (KPF) team, collaborating closely with the Rob Walton Foundation to unlock and accelerate funding for protected areas. The role will involve managing stakeholder relationships, coordinating with cross-functional teams to advance critical milestones such as the preparation of Project Descriptions (PDs) and Monitoring Reports (MRs), and guiding projects through validation and verification processes. Effective collaboration with internal project teams and country offices is essential to maintain alignment, uphold accountability, and ensure timely execution, 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 serve as a pivotal contributor to the execution of Keystone Protected Area Financing initiatives, working in partnership with the Rob Walton Foundation. Key responsibilities include facilitating the early-stage development of the project pipeline, executing comprehensive project scoping and due diligence, and delivering specialized Technical Assistance—such as conducting feasibility assessments, performing on-site field visits, and guiding project partners through the advancement of priority opportunities toward full-scale implementation. Additionally, the individual will ensure transparency and accountability by reporting project progress to internal stakeholders via established communication channels, thereby maintaining clear visibility of critical milestones, potential risks, and notable achievements across the portfolio.
The Senior Manager will oversee the examination of financial and grant reports submitted by project partners, verifying that funds are allocated and utilized in strict adherence to approved budgets and high standards of financial accountability. Additionally, they will assist in compiling and submitting progress reports to the Rob Walton Foundation and other funding organizations, ensuring all reporting requirements are fulfilled promptly and with precision. Moreover, the position will contribute to establishing and maintaining robust systems, governance frameworks, and operational processes to uphold project integrity and optimize delivery efficiency.
This role does not encompass direct oversight of personnel.
Responsibilities
Project oversight and execution encompass planning, organizing, and overseeing initiatives from inception to completion, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives and delivery within specified timelines and budget constraints. This role demands expertise in coordinating cross-functional teams, allocating resources efficiently, and mitigating risks to maintain project momentum. Responsibilities include defining scope, setting milestones, tracking progress, and reporting outcomes to stakeholders. Strong leadership, problem-solving abilities, and a results-driven mindset are essential, along with proficiency in project management methodologies and tools to optimize workflows and enhance productivity.
Oversee the execution and administration of a diverse portfolio of nature-based carbon initiatives throughout Africa, collaborating closely with CI field programs, pertinent project teams, partners, and service providers to ensure alignment with established work plans, allocated budgets, and predetermined timelines.
Support the facilitation of Keystone Protected Area Financing (KPF) initiatives in partnership with the Rob Walton Foundation. This encompasses the following key responsibilities:
Experienced professionals will assess and define potential project opportunities, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives and feasibility criteria. This process involves thorough evaluation of market trends, stakeholder needs, and resource availability to identify viable initiatives. The role requires meticulous analysis to determine project scope, including key deliverables, timelines, and resource requirements, thereby establishing a clear foundation for subsequent planning and execution phases.
We are responsible for developing and executing comprehensive Technical Assistance (TA) packages, ensuring their timely and effective delivery to meet organizational objectives.
Assisting in the facilitation of initiatives aimed at securing project funding and investment is a key aspect of this role.
Collaborating with Co-Management Partners and Protected Area Management, we aim to enhance local carbon finance capabilities.
In close collaboration with relevant stakeholders, devise project-specific work plans and determine deliverables, establishing clear roles and responsibilities to uphold accountability throughout the project lifecycle.
Monitor project performance, assess potential delivery risks, and take proactive measures to address issues, thereby ensuring adherence to schedule and quality benchmarks.
Facilitate the ongoing development and upkeep of project monitoring and evaluation frameworks to ensure their effectiveness and alignment with organizational objectives.
Collaborate effectively with the finance, grants, and contracts department to monitor project budgets, thereby guaranteeing that project deliverables remain on track throughout the entire project duration.
Oversee collaborations with project partners, consultants, Validation & Verification Bodies (VVBs), and external service providers to uphold accountability and ensure punctual project execution.
Perform routine assessments in the field to evaluate the progress of implementation, the capabilities of partners, the effectiveness of safeguards, and the overall preparedness of the project.
Collaborate effectively with institutional carbon-focused staff and teams across both field-based and global programs to ensure cohesion with Conservation International’s Nature Conservancy and carbon crediting strategies and priorities.
Prepare progress reports for the Rob Walton Foundation and additional donors, while ensuring all reporting requirements are fulfilled precisely and punctually.
We develop initiatives aimed at reducing carbon emissions and advancing sustainability efforts. Our team identifies viable carbon reduction projects, evaluates their feasibility, and implements strategies to ensure successful execution. Key responsibilities include conducting thorough assessments of potential projects, securing necessary approvals and funding, and collaborating with stakeholders to align project objectives with regulatory and environmental standards. Candidates should possess strong analytical skills, experience in carbon accounting or environmental consulting, and a proven ability to manage complex projects from inception to completion. Proficiency in sustainability frameworks and carbon market mechanisms is essential, along with excellent communication and stakeholder engagement abilities.
As the Carbon Finance Technical Lead, oversee the development and delivery of Project Descriptions (PDs), Monitoring Reports (MRs), and associated documentation to secure successful project validation and verification, in strict adherence to relevant carbon standards. This role involves guiding project teams with strategic planning, technical guidance, and review processes, as well as monitoring and evaluating performance. Additionally, you will manage and supervise consultants, Validation & Verification Bodies (VVBs), and other external service providers to ensure alignment with project objectives and regulatory requirements.
Provide tailored carbon project development training for countries, initiatives, and collaborators within the CI network, based on identified needs.
Conducting thorough evaluations of pipelines and performing comprehensive due diligence are core responsibilities of this role. The position requires meticulous analysis of pipeline integrity, risk factors, and compliance with regulatory standards to ensure operational safety and efficiency. Additionally, the individual must assess technical specifications, financial viability, and environmental impact during the assessment process. Strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and expertise in pipeline systems are essential for success in this position.
Play a pivotal role in conducting initial scoping, feasibility evaluations, and comprehensive due diligence for emerging carbon project prospects. Assignments will entail in-depth document reviews and technical assessments of project-related materials—including design documentation—as well as direct interactions with project stakeholders and, when necessary, on-site due diligence visits to verify project viability.
Assess anticipated emission reductions and removals, evaluate governance readiness and safeguards frameworks, and identify implementation risks to guide investment decisions.
Offer data-driven insights and recommendations regarding the feasibility and preparedness of projects for advancement into the development phase.
Technical Innovation drives product development and operational excellence through pioneering solutions that enhance efficiency, performance, and user experience. This role involves researching emerging technologies, prototyping innovative concepts, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to implement cutting-edge advancements. Key responsibilities include assessing technical feasibility, optimizing system architectures, and ensuring scalable implementations that align with business objectives. Candidates must possess a strong foundation in engineering principles, proficiency in relevant programming languages, and a proven track record of delivering impactful technological innovations. Excellent problem-solving skills, adaptability to evolving industry trends, and the ability to communicate complex ideas effectively are essential for success in this position.
Collaborate on the creation of carbon-related tools, frameworks, and templates designed to enhance the efficiency of data collection, analysis, and storytelling within feasibility assessments, due diligence reports, PDs, and MRs—such as emissions reduction or removal models, biodiversity and community monitoring protocols, stakeholder engagement strategies, work plans, and theory of change frameworks.
Conduct thorough technical evaluations and provide insightful commentary on revisions to carbon market standards and methodologies, which will be spearheaded by the Carbon Finance team.
Safeguards and Project Integrity professionals are responsible for ensuring adherence to ethical standards, regulatory compliance, and organizational policies throughout all project phases. They identify and mitigate risks, conduct thorough assessments, and implement control measures to protect company assets and maintain operational integrity. By monitoring compliance with internal and external guidelines, they help prevent misconduct, fraud, and other integrity breaches while fostering a culture of accountability and transparency. Additionally, these roles may involve investigating potential violations, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and providing guidance to stakeholders on best practices for maintaining project integrity.
Establish and maintain robust safeguards, Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (EPIC) protocols, benefit-sharing arrangements, and carbon integrity standards through the deployment of qualified professionals, effective systems, and strong governance frameworks.
Qualifications
Required
A Bachelor’s degree in forestry, rangeland management, ecology, natural resource management, climate science, environmental science, or a closely related discipline is required.
A minimum of five to seven years of professional experience in the development, due diligence, or delivery of Nature-based Solutions (NBS) projects is required.
Proven expertise in validating and verifying NCS crediting initiatives, such as VCS, Gold Standard, and CCBS projects, encompassing the preparation of Project Descriptions (PDs), Monitoring Reports (MRs), and conducting audits for Validation and Verification Bodies (VVB).
Strong analytical capabilities are required, with proficiency in designing and evaluating carbon models to ensure adherence to relevant carbon standards.
Proven expertise in project management is essential, requiring the coordination of cross-functional teams and ensuring accountability for deliverables from both self and project partners.
Professional experience collaborating with local partners, combined with a comprehensive grasp of the practical realities and obstacles encountered in project development and implementation.
Demonstrated success in collaborating effectively with teams, clients, stakeholders, and partners across a broad spectrum of economic, cultural, religious, gender, and professional backgrounds, encompassing diverse geographic regions and countries.
Proficient in both written and spoken English communication.
Demonstrates strong capability to perform efficiently in high-pressure environments, juggle multiple tasks simultaneously, prioritize effectively, and consistently produce work of the highest standard.
Proven ability to identify solutions and leverage existing expertise to innovate and implement novel strategies.
Preferred
A master’s degree in a pertinent discipline is required.
Proficient in French or Swahili, with a strong command of both written and verbal communication.
Demonstrated expertise spans a wide range of Nature-based Solutions (NCS) pathways and project categories, encompassing forest conservation initiatives such as RED+, restoration of native ecosystems (ARR), improved forest management (IFM), sustainable rangeland and grassland management, as well as blue carbon projects.
Proven track record in overseeing diverse carbon project portfolios spanning multiple countries, with a specific focus on Africa or other emerging market regions.
Proven expertise in carbon accounting methodologies specific to soils, including peatlands, wetlands, and rangeland.
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 forests, carbon levels, and biodiversity.
Professional experience in the private sector, particularly in initiatives focused on climate action and Natural Climate Solutions (NCS).
Proficiency in collaborating with Indigenous peoples and traditional communities, coupled with a strong grasp of safeguards frameworks, Free Prior and Informed Consent (EPIC), grievance mechanisms, and benefit-sharing systems in carbon projects is essential.
Professional experience collaborating with government stakeholders and contributing to policy formulation in multiple African nations.
Qualifications
BA/BSc/HND , MBA/MSc/MA
Experience Required
5 - 7 years
