JOB DESCRIPTION

Carbon Sr. Manager
Summary
Conservation International is one of the global leaders in using natural climate solutions (NCS) tocombat climate change. There is significant growth in the demand for high-quality conservation
projects that can access the voluntary and compliance carbon markets and CI is rapidly
expanding its portfolio of high-quality carbon projects to meet this demand. Projects include
landscape restoration, climate smart improved forestry management, and Blue Carbon. These
initiatives go beyond protecting forests and other ecosystems by integrating sustainableproduction and focusing on improving human well- to assist in originating, evaluating, anddeveloping a project pipeline of new bankable avoided deforestation, restoration, improved
forest management and other NCS projects- and jurisdictional-scale initiatives, both internallywithin CI and externally with outside partners. Working in close collaboration with CI Mex Sr
Technical Director, Sr Director Global Carbon Origination, the Americas Finance Carbon Lead,the Senior Manager Carbon Projects (CFD), and the Blue Carbon Team, the Senior Manager will
help originate and develop new NCS carbon finance project opportunities and managerelationships throughout the conceptual scoping, evaluation, and project development stages forthe country and potentially in other countries in Latin America. Using and applying in-house tools,
drafting internal documentation required for project assessment, this person will be responsible
for conducting desk-top analysis of country, opportunities for NCS carbon crediting projects,
conducting field visits for feasible opportunities, managing origination workflow across thepipeline of initiatives under consideration and supporting the development of full feasibility
assessments for selected initiatives. Additionally, the senior manager will provide support withinternal and external due diligence and donor reporting obligations.
To be successful, the Senior Manager needs to be fully conversant with developments andtrends in nature conservation in Mexico, NCS carbon markets, climate policy, carbon/climate andSafeguards certification standards, and have experience working on tropical forest, blue carbon
ecosystems, and/or climate smart agriculture and forestry projects. Familiarity with NCS carbon
methodologies (Verra VCS , and Climate Action Reserve in particular) is also required. Senior
Manager must also have demonstrated knowledge or experience on the role and developmentof conservation finance and forestry carbon finance transactions and must be able to work acrossa broad range of stakeholders including external partners in the private sector, development
finance institutions, project developers, government, and civil society. Must have business andcommercial acumen. and be able to articulate an actionable plan for developing a pipeline ofhigh-quality emissions reductions and NCS projects (environmental and social approach) at scale.

Managing NCS project information also requires excellent communication skills, a high degree oforganization, attention to detail, interdisciplinary thinking, and strong technical writing skills.
The Senior Manager will work in close collaboration with external partners, project
developers/consultants, and with key personnel across CI’s Global Programs and Centers (suchas the Conservation Finance Division and the Center for Natural Climate Solutions) to ensurealignment between country, regional and institutional strategies as well as efficient
implementation of CI’s carbon origination and project development processes.
The position will report directly to the CI Mexico Sr. Technical Director with joint and indirect
reporting to the Americas Carbon Finance Lead.

Responsibilities•

Support the origination, evaluation, and management of high-quality NCS carbon financeproject pipeline(both terrestrial and blue carbon) for the CI Mexico Office and potentiallyfor other Latin American countries, in close collaboration with the Americas Carbon
Origination team and Conservation Finance Division, and key external partners, including
NGOs, governments, local communities, project developers, investors, and financialinstitutions; help develop a high-quality NCS carbon crediting project pipeline for thecountry, that meets CI’s quality criteria and Safeguards; identify and engage a network ofproject developers, implementation partners and local and international NGO that meetsuch standards; contribute to the identification of potential jurisdictional and projectbased opportunities in Mexico, based on desk-top analysis and interviews, site visits
where applicable, and prepare Project Information Notes (PINs) for internal review.
Manage project origination and evaluation workflow through identification, scoping anddue diligence stages including working closely with implementing partners, creating
workplans and budgets for projects which have the potential to be funded by one of CI’s
financing vehicles.

•Lead the coordination, and development of feasibility assessments for selected REDD+,
ARR, and IFM opportunities with relevant stakeholders highlighting key recommendations
to advance them towards full development and implementation. The feasibility
assessment might include aspects such as assessing the agents and drivers ofdeforestation, key carbon finance eligibility concepts, reviewing potential emissions
reduction and removal analysis, estimating project and program intervention costs,
identifying implementation partners and key stakeholders, assessing potential risks andchallenges as well as risk mitigation, business models, financing, etc.

•Work closely with, coordinate, collaborate, and communicate with all multiple institutional
Carbon-related staff & teams (within the Conservation Finance Division/Carbon Finance
unit, Center for Natural Climate Solutions, Climate Policy, and the Blue Carbon Programteam) to have clarity on their initiatives, views and how their approaches address/support
the needs/goals and context of the region’s countries.

Minimum qualifications

oMaster’s degree in relevant discipline or field related to the objectives of theprogramo(e.g. environmental science, economics, forestry, agronomy, law, or business).

oAt least 5 years work experience with NCS projects and/or jurisdictional initiative
development and implementation.

oProven knowledge or experience in climate-related issues including carbon
crediting transactions (origination, voluntary carbon market standards, andimplementation), terrestrial and/or blue carbon.

oDemonstrated NCS carbon crediting knowledge and experience, including
voluntary carbon markets, and use of carbon standards such as Verra VCS,Climate Community & Biodiversity Standards, Climate Action Reserve, ART TREES,Gold Standard, etc.

oExperience managing complex projects.

oExcellent analytical skills.

oExcellent written and verbal communication skills.

oHighly organized and strong attention to detail.

o

Demonstrated team player.

oDemonstrated problem solving skills and ability to build on existing knowledge todevelop new approaches.

oDemonstrated track record of working effectively and collaboratively withmulticultural, international, multidisciplinary teams to produce concrete results,
including strong capacity to navigate diversity, equity, and inclusion .

oSelf-starter with ability to work in a matrix organization.

oMust have commercial and business acumen to be able to develop bankable NCS
projects.

oLanguage Skills:
English: Excellent written, reading, and speaking skills.

Other
•

Familiarity with spatial analysis, GIS and remote sensing.

•Familiarity with land management project design (e.g. using Open Standards).

•Work experience with indigenous peoples and traditional communities

Working conditions•

The position is based in Mexico City.

•Frequent travel within Mexico, including travelling to remote locations with rusticconditions.

•The position is based in Mexico City.

•Frequent travel within Mexico, including travelling to remote locations with rusticconditions.

•Some international travel.

Applications process
Candidates who meet the requirements, please send your CV with relevant experience to:
Email:

talentohumanocimx@conservation.org

Subject:“Sr. Carbon Manager”

Deadline:

April 26, 2023