Director, Carbon Finance Origination

Conservation International; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 400 000 - 500 000; Full time

Job summary

A global nature conservation organization is seeking a Director for Carbon Finance Origination & Deal Lead in South Africa. The role involves managing carbon finance projects, developing partnerships, and ensuring alignment between carbon strategies and field operations. Candidates should have significant experience in carbon transactions and project management, along with strong negotiation skills. Preferred qualifications include fluency in French and Portuguese.

Qualifications

• 7 or more years of relevant working experience.
• Experience working with countries in the African region.
• Experience with carbon transactions.

Responsibilities

• Identify and evaluate potential carbon project opportunities.
• Build a high-quality project pipeline with key external partners.
• Lead the development of the regional carbon finance strategy.

Skills

Financial modeling and analysis

Project management skills

Negotiation skills

Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Strong business acumen

Education

Bachelor's degree in finance or business, environmental science or relevant discipline

Graduate degree (Preferred)

Tools

Microsoft PowerPoint

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Director, Carbon Finance Origination & Deal Lead (Africa) Conservation International protects nature for the benefit of humanity. Through science, policy, fieldwork, and finance, we spotlight and secure the most important places in nature for the climate, biodiversity, and for people. With offices in 30 countries and projects in more than countries, Conservation International partners with governments, companies, civil society, Indigenous peoples, and local communities to help people and nature thrive together.

POSITION SUMMARY

This position is based in South Africa. Amid growing consensus that the protection, restoration, and improved management of ecosystems can provide at least 30% of the climate mitigation needed to limit warming to 1.5°C, Conservation International (CI) has set ambitious targets to realize the potential of natural climate solutions (NCS) worldwide. The Carbon Finance (CF) team within CI's Nature Finance Group (NFG) is working across CI to source and finance a portfolio of high-quality NCS carbon projects, creating industry-leading partnerships with the private sector and connections with CI field programs to ensure delivery of ambitious climate and conservation targets. The CF team prioritizes impact through community engagement, biodiversity, safeguards, and high-quality carbon credits, as well as through projects which are located in "Irrecoverable Carbon" and Biodiversity hotspots. Each member of this team plays a critical role in making this impact mission a success. This position is an integral part of the CF team.

The Director, Carbon Finance Origination & Deal Lead for the Africa region, manages all commercial elements of a NCS carbon finance project. The role will originate high‑quality and integrity, large‑scale landscape restoration projects utilizing CI's presence and experience along with their own cultivated network. CI is looking for a self‑determined and motivated candidate who is able to navigate complex environments in various countries within the African region. This position will be the lead for carbon transactions, both on the "upstream" origination side, as well as the "downstream" commercial side. In addition to originating new carbon opportunities for CI, this position will usher projects through our project cycle, ensuring that the upstream project partner understands the value that CI brings to the project while also contextualizing and understanding the interests of CI's carbon credit buyer and investor partners, and support management of the broader Africa carbon portfolio. The candidate will work with the Africa Field Division to develop a carbon strategy that supports and elevates the Field Division strategy, while also ensuring the development of a high‑quality and diversified portfolio. The candidate will support fundraising efforts – working with both the Africa Field Division and the global CF team to help generate more investment at the project and portfolio level, including the preparation of investment materials. The candidate should have strong PowerPoint presentation skills and be familiar with financial models, while also being a natural relationship manager and a clear communicator.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Identify and evaluate potential carbon project opportunities in line with CI's strategic objectives.
• Build a high‑quality project pipeline with key external partners, including NGOs, governments, local communities, and private developers.
• Lead the development of the regional carbon finance strategy in coordination with Africa's Field Division, CI regional country offices, and the Global Carbon Origination lead.
• Keep track of the pipeline and portfolio of all NFG Carbon Finance projects in the region and report to the Carbon Portfolio Delivery and Global Origination leads.
• Lead the coordination and preparation of Project Idea Notes (PINs) summarizing the project's early‑stage design and submit for internal review and approval.
• Work with the various project stakeholders and CI teams to gather inputs for the feasibility phase budgets.
• Work closely with CI's Africa Field Division to ensure that the goals of the Africa Field Division and the priorities of CI's Carbon Finance Team are aligned and complementary.
• Stay up‑to‑date with market trends, regulatory changes, and industry developments related to carbon finance and project development.
• Represent CI at industry conferences, seminars, and events to promote the organization's expertise and build relationships with potential partners and investors.
• Conduct financial modeling and analysis of pipeline and portfolio projects to assess project economics, including revenue streams, costs, and returns on investment.
• Negotiate commercial terms with project development partners and key stakeholders that enable cost recovery for CI, while ensuring high‑quality project implementation and maximizing community return.
• Work with the various project stakeholders to gather inputs for the implementation budget, while feasibility work is underway.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with the upstream project development partners, serving as the primary point of contact and managing ongoing communications and negotiations.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams, including legal, finance, and technical experts, to ensure all commercial aspects of the project are thoroughly understood and that a strong business case is constructed.
• Prepare and present carbon finance business cases to potential investors.
• Work with the sales and marketing team on materials to present to potential credit buyers.
• Manage timelines and deliverables of the transaction, ensuring adherence to established milestones and deadlines.
• Build and maintain data rooms for various projects.
• Supervisory responsibilities may involve staff supervision.
• Act as a technical or subject‑matter expert to peers and other staff across CI Africa and global teams.
• Will be responsible for managing project‑related budgets, consultants, and vendors, but decisions that bind or commit CI are approved by the immediate supervisor.
• May lead project teams.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in finance or business, environmental science field, or another relevant discipline.
• 7 or more years of relevant working experience.
• Experience and understanding of Natural Climate Solutions (NCS) or conservation projects, and long‑term success drivers, both financial and non‑financial.
• Experience working with countries in the African region.
• Experience with carbon transactions.
• Knowledge and expertise in environmental markets, especially in voluntary carbon markets.
• Experience with analysis, structuring, and valuation of natural resources and/or other investments.
• Strong business acumen, with the ability to structure and negotiate commercially sound and profitable deals.
• Experience working with local partners in Africa, with an understanding of the on‑the‑ground realities and challenges of project development and delivery.
• Excellent project management and coordination skills, and a strong attention to detail.
• Proven team player able to work effectively across cultures and within and across organizations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Proficiency in Microsoft PowerPoint and Excel.
• Demonstrated problem‑solving skills and ability to build on existing knowledge to develop new approaches.
• Graduate degree (Preferred).
• Fluency in French and Portuguese (Preferred).
• Experience working with or within the private sector on climate and NCS‑related issues.
• Experience working with indigenous peoples and traditional communities.
• Experience communicating about NCS and carbon finance mechanisms to technical and non‑technical audiences.
• Citizenship, residency, or other legal permit to work in Africa.

To apply for this position please submit a resume and cover letter.

See all Conservation International Career Opportunities here.

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