The Carbon Finance team collaborates with CI field programs and partner organizations to cultivate and finance a robust pipeline of high-quality nature-based solutions (NBS) carbon initiatives, along with cutting-edge financing strategies that ensure long-term viability and engagement from the private sector. Leveraging CI’s extensive expertise and technical know-how, the team drives the development and enhancement of gigatons of emission reductions and removals within voluntary and compliance carbon markets. Emphasis is placed on maximizing impact through community involvement and equitable benefit-sharing, biodiversity and ecosystem advantages, and the strict implementation of safeguards.
The Senior Manager, Carbon Projects Delivery will oversee the development and execution of a diverse portfolio of Natural Climate Solutions (NCS) carbon projects throughout Africa, ensuring adherence to agreed-upon timelines and alignment with certification standards and Conservation International’s (CI) high-quality principles. Integral to the Keystone Protected Area Financing (KPF) initiative, this role will collaborate closely with the Rob Walton Foundation to mobilize investment in protected areas. The position will manage stakeholder relationships, coordinate with cross-functional teams, and advance critical milestones—such as the preparation and submission of Project Descriptions (PDs) and Monitoring Reports (MRs)—while guiding projects through validation and verification processes. Effective engagement across internal project teams and country offices is essential to maintain alignment, accountability, and timely delivery, including conducting periodic field assessments at various stages of project development to monitor progress, mitigate risks, and provide hands-on support to teams.
The Senior Manager will serve as a pivotal contributor to the implementation of Keystone Protected Area Financing, partnering closely with the Rob Walton Foundation. Responsibilities encompass nurturing early-stage pipeline opportunities, performing detailed project scoping and due diligence, delivering Technical Assistance—such as comprehensive feasibility assessments—and conducting on-site field visits. Additionally, the role involves collaborating with project partners to advance high-priority initiatives toward full-scale development. To ensure transparency and alignment, the individual will prepare and present regular updates on project progress to internal stakeholders, highlighting critical milestones, potential risks, and key achievements across the portfolio.
The Senior Manager will oversee the evaluation of financial and grant reports submitted by project partners to verify compliance with approved budgets and uphold rigorous financial standards. This role will facilitate the compilation of progress reports for the Rob Walton Foundation and other stakeholders, ensuring strict adherence to reporting deadlines and accuracy. Additionally, the position will contribute to establishing and maintaining robust systems, governance frameworks, and operational processes to protect project integrity and optimize delivery.
This role does not involve direct supervision of employees.
Oversee a range of critical tasks to ensure seamless operations, including managing daily workflows, coordinating cross-functional teams, and maintaining compliance with established protocols. Develop and implement strategic initiatives to enhance productivity and efficiency, while identifying opportunities for process improvements. Monitor key performance indicators to assess progress and provide actionable insights to senior leadership. Foster a collaborative work environment by facilitating clear communication and resolving interdepartmental conflicts. Ensure adherence to company policies, industry regulations, and quality standards throughout all activities.
Oversee the strategic planning, execution, and successful delivery of projects from inception to completion, ensuring adherence to timelines, budgets, and quality standards. Manage cross-functional teams, stakeholders, and resources to achieve defined objectives while mitigating risks and resolving challenges proactively. Develop and maintain comprehensive project documentation, including plans, progress reports, and risk assessments, to facilitate transparency and accountability. Collaborate closely with clients, vendors, and internal departments to align expectations, address concerns, and drive project success. Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and implement corrective actions as needed to optimize efficiency and outcomes. Possess strong leadership, organizational, and problem-solving skills, with proficiency in project management methodologies such as Agile, Waterfall, or hybrid approaches.
Coordinate and manage the portfolio of nature-based carbon initiatives across Africa, collaborating closely with Conservation International’s field programs, designated project teams, external partners, and service providers to ensure alignment with approved work plans, allocated budgets, and established timelines.
We facilitate the implementation of the Keystone Protected Area Financing initiative in partnership with the Rob Walton Foundation, encompassing the following responsibilities:
Experienced professionals will be responsible for identifying and defining the scope of potential projects, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives and organizational priorities. This involves conducting thorough market research, analyzing industry trends, and evaluating feasibility to determine viable opportunities. Collaboration with cross-functional teams will be essential to gather insights and refine project parameters. The role requires a keen ability to assess risks, anticipate challenges, and develop comprehensive project briefs that outline objectives, deliverables, and resource requirements. Strong analytical skills and a proactive approach are critical to effectively evaluate and prioritize opportunities.
We develop and execute comprehensive Technical Assistance (TA) packages, ensuring timely and effective delivery to meet project objectives.
We contribute to initiatives aimed at obtaining project funding and ensuring financial backing.
Collaborating with Co-Management Partners and Protected Area Management initiatives to strengthen local capabilities in carbon finance.
Develop customized project work plans and pinpoint deliverables in close partnership with key stakeholders, establishing clear roles and responsibilities to uphold accountability throughout every phase of the project lifecycle.
Monitor project progress closely, evaluate potential delivery risks, and apply appropriate corrective measures to ensure adherence to timeline and quality benchmarks.
Develop, implement, and oversee project monitoring and evaluation frameworks to ensure ongoing assessment and alignment with organizational objectives.
Collaborate effectively with the finance, grants, and contracts team to monitor project budgets rigorously, ensuring that project deliverables remain intact throughout every phase of the project lifecycle.
Develop and maintain strong partnerships with project collaborators, external consultants, verification and validation bodies, and various service providers to uphold accountability and meet scheduled deliverables efficiently.
Conduct routine on-site evaluations to gauge the status of implementation, evaluate partner capabilities, monitor safeguarding measures, and assess overall project preparedness.
Collaborate and maintain regular communication with all carbon-focused staff and teams—including field and global program personnel—to ensure cohesive alignment with Conservation International’s Nature, Climate & Carbon (NCS) 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 promptly.
Develop and implement carbon offset projects, ensuring alignment with regulatory standards and market demands. Identify viable project opportunities across diverse sectors, such as renewable energy, forestry, or methane capture, while conducting thorough feasibility assessments. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design project frameworks, secure necessary permits, and establish monitoring systems to track emissions reductions and co-benefits. Maintain compliance with international certification programs, including Terra, Gold Standard, or CDM, and prepare detailed project documentation for validation and verification. Analyze financial viability, secure funding through grants, carbon credits sales, or impact investments, and manage stakeholder engagement to maximize project success. Stay abreast of evolving carbon markets, policy changes, and technological advancements to optimize project outcomes and drive measurable environmental impact.
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 successful project validation and verification while ensuring adherence to relevant carbon standards. Collaborate closely with project teams to assist in work planning, provide expert technical guidance and review, implement monitoring and evaluation frameworks, and supervise consultants, Validation & Verification Bodies (VVBs), and other third-party service providers.
Provide tailored training in carbon project development to countries, projects, and partners within the CI network as required by their specific needs assessments.
Conducting thorough evaluations of pipelines and performing comprehensive due diligence assessments represent critical responsibilities within this role. The position demands meticulous analysis of pipeline infrastructure, operational integrity, and compliance with regulatory standards to identify potential risks, inefficiencies, or liabilities. Candidates must possess expertise in assessing technical specifications, financial viability, and environmental impact while ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and industry best practices. Strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and a deep understanding of pipeline operations, safety protocols, and due diligence frameworks are essential for success in this position.
Assist in the initial evaluation, feasibility analysis, and thorough due diligence for emerging carbon project opportunities. This role involves conducting comprehensive desk-based reviews and technical evaluations of project-related documentation—including design specifics—and engaging directly with project stakeholders. Additionally, field visits for due diligence may be undertaken as necessary.
Conduct a thorough assessment of anticipated emission reductions and removals, governance preparedness, safeguard frameworks, and potential implementation risks to guide informed investment choices.
Deliver well-defined insights regarding project feasibility and preparedness for advancement.
Innovative technical solutions are sought to drive forward-thinking advancements and enhance operational efficiency. Candidates must demonstrate a strong foundation in cutting-edge technologies, alongside a proven ability to develop and implement novel approaches that address complex challenges. The role requires a proactive mindset, with responsibilities including research, prototyping, and collaboration to refine and scale solutions within dynamic environments. Proficiency in emerging tools and methodologies, as well as a commitment to continuous learning, are essential for success in this evolving landscape.
Develop carbon-related tools, frameworks, and templates that enhance the efficiency of data collection, analysis, and storytelling in feasibility assessments, due diligence reports, Project Descriptions (PDs), and Monitoring Reports (MRs). These may include emissions reduction or removal models, biodiversity and community monitoring systems, stakeholder engagement strategies, work plans, and theory of change frameworks.
Conduct technical evaluations and provide expert commentary on revisions to carbon market standards and methodologies spearheaded by the Carbon Finance team.
Safeguards and ensures the integrity of projects through meticulous oversight and risk mitigation strategies.
Establish and maintain a robust framework of qualified professionals, operational systems, and governance mechanisms to uphold safeguards, adhere to Free, Prior and Informed Consent (EPIC) principles, fulfill benefit-sharing obligations, and ensure the integrity of carbon standards.
Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a closely related discipline is mandatory. A minimum of five years of hands-on experience in software development, preferably with a focus on backend systems, is required. Proficiency in programming languages such as Java, Python, or C++ is essential, along with expertise in frameworks like Spring Boot or Django. Strong problem-solving abilities and a collaborative mindset are critical for this role. Familiarity with cloud platforms, such as AWS or Azure, and DevOps practices is highly advantageous. Excellent communication skills are also necessary to articulate technical concepts effectively to non-technical stakeholders.
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 hands-on experience in the development, due diligence, or execution of Nature-based Solutions (NBS) initiatives is required.
Proven expertise in validating and verifying NCS crediting projects, such as those under VCS, Gold Standard, CCBS, and similar frameworks, with a strong focus on preparing Project Descriptions (PDs), Monitoring Reports (MRs), and conducting Validation and Verification Body (VVB) audits.
Proven expertise in analytical methodologies, enabling the development and evaluation of carbon models in strict adherence to relevant carbon standards.
Experienced in overseeing projects, with a proven track record of managing cross-functional teams and ensuring accountability among team members and stakeholders for on-time delivery.
Professional experience collaborating with local stakeholders, demonstrating a keen awareness of practical realities and obstacles encountered during project development and implementation.
Experienced in collaborating effectively with individuals from varied teams, clients, stakeholders, and partners, representing diverse economic, cultural, religious, gender, and professional backgrounds across multiple countries and geographic settings.
Fluent proficiency in both written and spoken English is required.
Demonstrates strong resilience in fast-paced environments while efficiently managing competing deadlines, organizing tasks effectively, and maintaining a focus on high-quality outcomes.
Proven capability in troubleshooting complex issues and leveraging prior expertise to devise innovative solutions.
Preferred
A relevant field of study culminating in a master’s degree is required.
Proficiency in either French or Swahili is required.
Proven expertise spans various Nature-based Solutions (NCS) pathways and project categories, such as forest conservation initiatives (including RED+), native ecosystem restoration (ARR), enhanced forest management (IFM), sustainable rangeland and grassland management, and blue carbon projects.
Individuals with a proven track record in overseeing carbon project portfolios spanning multiple countries, particularly within Africa or other emerging market settings, are encouraged to apply.
Proficiency in soil carbon accounting methodologies, particularly in ecosystems such as peatlands, wetlands, and rangelands is essential.
Proven expertise in the financial structuring of carbon initiatives, encompassing revenue forecasting, benefit-sharing frameworks, and sophisticated financial modeling for carbon projects.
Proven track record in instructing field teams on the formulation and execution of monitoring strategies for forestry initiatives, carbon accounting, and biodiversity conservation efforts.
Proficiency in collaborating with or within private-sector organizations on climate-related initiatives and nature-based solutions (NBS) is required.
We seek a candidate with demonstrated experience collaborating with Indigenous peoples and traditional communities, along with a strong understanding of safeguards frameworks, Free Prior and Informed Consent (EPIC), grievance mechanisms, and benefit-sharing systems in carbon projects.
Professional experience collaborating with governmental entities and contributing to policy formulation across multiple African nations.
Qualifications
BA/BSc/HND , MBA/MSc/MA
Experience Required
5 - 7 years
