<p>Senior Project Manager, Carbon Finance</p> <p>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 100 countries, Conservation International partners with governments, companies, civil society, Indigenous peoples, and local communities to help people and nature thrive together.</p> <p>POSITION SUMMARY - This position is based in Arlington, VA</p> <p>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 NCS worldwide. CI's Carbon Finance (CF) unit within the Nature Finance Group (NFG) invests in Natural Climate Solutions (NCS) that help combat climate change by reducing deforestation and conserving critical ecosystem services. These NCS solutions include the protection, enhanced management, and restoration of forests, rangelands, wetlands, and other natural systems.</p> <p>The CF team works across CI to source and finance a strong pipeline and portfolio of high-quality NCS carbon projects coupled with innovative financing meant to ensure long-term sustainability and private sector participation. The CF team focuses on results-based financing to develop early-stage NCS projects involving carbon crediting, a key instrument in driving quality NCS projects at the greatest scale possible to enable and scale results. The team taps the deep knowledge and technical expertise within CI to catalyze and improve the quality of gigatons of emission reductions in the voluntary and compliance carbon markets. The CF team prioritizes impact through community engagement, biodiversity, safeguards, and high-quality carbon credits.</p> <p>This position is an integral part of the CF team. The Sr. Project Manager will oversee a diverse set of activities and initiatives over the entire life cycle of NCS carbon finance projects. This includes project and budget planning, implementation, tracking and reporting on deliverables and project status. The Sr. Project Manager will ensure project results meet project standards and project deliverables are completed on time and within budget. This position does not directly supervise staff.</p> <p>RESPONSIBILITIES</p> <ul> <li>Provide project management support of NCS carbon projects as they transition from pipeline concepts to portfolio projects, including but not limited to supporting the management of internal and external project processes, workflows, and budgets. </li><li>Harmonize technical deliverables to spending through the development of robust work plans and budgets. </li><li>Help oversee the progress of projects to ensure they stay on track, on time, and within budget </li><li>Monitor and analyze program budgets, allowing accurate financial projections and effective expense and deliverables tracking </li><li>Work closely with CI's Senior M&E Manager to monitor and measure project progress and provide periodic progress and metric reports. </li><li>Identify trends and corrective actions to resolve problems and ensure future project efficiencies. Help identify tools, resources and training that will facilitate project success. </li><li>Work closely with the Grants and Contracts Unit to bring grantees, subcontractors, and consultants on board. </li><li>Prepare high-quality status updates, reports, and presentations for senior management and donors, and ensure project and team information is accurately updated on the CF SharePoint site. </li><li>Coordinate with team members, stakeholders, and external vendors to ensure alignment and efficient execution. </li><li>Work closely with, coordinate, collaborate, and communicate with all institutional carbon-related staff & teams (within the Nature Finance Division/Carbon Finance unit, Center for NCS, Climate Policy, and the Blue Carbon Program team) to ensure alignment with their initiatives, views and how their approaches address and support the needs/goals of the region. </li><li>Create and maintain project files. </li><li>Ensure compliance with CI policies, funding agreements, and local requirements. </li><li>Perform related duties as assigned. </li></ul> <p>WORKING CONDITIONS</p> <ul> <li>This is a full-time position. </li><li>Travel within the region will consist of approximately ~10-15% of the persons time, often this will entail travel to remote locations with rustic conditions. </li><li>Flexibility in work schedule is required in order to accommodate time differences of various offices located in multiple time zones. </li><li>This position follows a hybrid work structure, working some days from the office and some remotely. Guidance will be shared during the interview process. </li></ul> <p>QUALIFICATIONS</p> <p>Required</p> <ul> <li>Bachelor's Degree in a sustainability-related field or another relevant discipline. </li><li>5 to 7 years or more of relevant work experience. </li><li>Excellent project management and organization skills, and a strong attention to detail. </li><li>Experience working with local partners, with an understanding of the on-the-ground realities and challenges of project development and delivery. </li><li>Demonstrated problem-solving skills and ability to build on existing knowledge to develop new approaches. </li><li>Proven team player and able to work effectively with diverse work groups in a multicultural environment. </li><li>Solid written and verbal communication skills. Proficient in written and spoken English. </li><li>Ability to work well under pressure, multitask, set priorities, and deliver quality results. </li><li>Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities and under general supervision. </li></ul> <p>Preferred</p> <ul> <li>Ability to communicate in Spanish, Portuguese, or French. </li><li>Experience and understanding of Natural Climate Solutions or conservation projects. </li><li>Knowledge and expertise in environmental markets, especially in voluntary carbon markets. Experience with analysis, structuring, and valuation of natural resources and/or other investments. </li><li>Understanding of the economic and environmental issues facing developing countries and the local communities. </li></ul> <p>To apply for this position please submit a resume and cover letter.</p> <p>See all Conservation International Career Opportunities HERE</p> <p>Conservation International is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all individuals. We believe in hiring based on merit and qualifications, ensuring a fair and inclusive hiring process for everyone.</p>