Director, Carbon Finance (CF) Deal Lead

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.

POSITION SUMMARY - This position is based in Lima, Peru

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 Conservation Finance Division (CFD) 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 the 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, CF Deal Lead manages all commercial elements of a NCS carbon finance project. As the Deal Lead, you are able to create order within and navigate a complex environment. This position will be the lead for carbon transactions, both on the “upstream” origination side, as well as the “downstream” commercial side. The candidate will work with our Investment Design Lead to build pitch decks, conceptualize financial structures, and develop materials for investors. The candidate should be familiar with financial models, and carrying out basic cash flow modeling, while also being a natural relationship manager.  Project Management is also a core function. The Deal Lead 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. Duties also include developing and implementing program strategies, technical oversight, monitoring, and capacity building. The Deal Lead will ensure project results meet project standards and project deliverables are completed on time and within budget. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

Deal Lead Duties/Responsibilities

• Work with the regional origination lead at the early development stage of carbon finance projects, identifying and evaluating potential project opportunities in line with CI’s strategic objectives. 
  
• Manage project timelines and deliverables of the transaction, ensuring adherence to established milestones and deadlines. 
  
• Work with the Investment Design lead on financial modeling and analysis to assess project economics, including revenue streams, costs, and returns on investment. 
  
• Assess, track and understand the commercial and financial viability of carbon finance projects. 
  
• Work with the Technical Project Manager to ensure that the commercial terms reflect the ongoing feasibility, carbon technical analysis, and safeguards, and ESMF workstreams. 
  
• Work with the various project stakeholders to develop first the feasibility budget and then while the feasibility work is underway, implementation budget. 
  
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with upstream/project development clients or partner organizations, 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. 
  
• Stay up-to-date with market trends, regulatory changes, and industry developments related to carbon finance and project development. 
  
• Contribute to thought leadership and advocacy related to enabling conditions for the NCS sector.
  
• Build and maintain data rooms for various programs.
  
• Participate in industry conferences, seminars, and events to promote the organization's expertise and build relationships with potential partners and investors. 
  
• Work with the various project stakeholders and CI teams to gather inputs for feasibility and implementation phase budgets. 
  

Project Management 

• Oversee the overall implementation of assigned projects. 
  
• Lead the project management of NCS carbon projects as they transition from pipeline concepts to portfolio projects, including but not limited to managing internal and external project processes, workflows, budgets, and teams, working with service providers and project partners to complete the development of feasibility assessments and coordinating feedback and recommendations to advance projects to implementation phase. 
  
•  Harmonize technical deliverables to spending through the development of robust work plans and budgets. 
  
• Ensure timely completion of various stages and elements of NCS carbon projects including deliverables and milestones from internal and external contracts and agreements. 
  
• Work closely with CI’s Senior M&E Manager to monitor and measure project progress and provide periodic progress and metric reports. 
  
• Perform related duties as assigned. 
  

Supervisory responsibilities/authority allocated

• Does not have direct supervisory authority.
• Act as a technical or subject matter expert to peers and other staff. 
  
• 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. 

WORKING CONDITIONS

• This is a full-time position. 
  
• Travel within the region will consist of approximately ~30% of the person's time, often this will entail travel to remote locations with rustic conditions.
• Flexibility in work schedule is required in order to accommodate time differences between the Arlington, VA office and international field offices located in multiple time zones.
• Guidance on flexible work arrangements will be shared during the interview process. 

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Bachelor's degree in finance, sustainability-related field, or another relevant discipline.
  
• 7 or more years of relevant working experience.
  
• Excellent project management and coordination skills, and a strong attention to detail.
  
• 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, with an understanding of the on-the-ground realities and challenges of project development and delivery.
  
• Proven team player able to work effectively across cultures and within and across organizations.
  
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and Spanish.
  
• Demonstrated problem-solving skills and ability to build on existing knowledge to develop new approaches.

Preferred

• MBA/Master’s degree.
• Experience and understanding of Natural Climate Solutions or conservation projects, and long-term success drivers, both financial and non-financial.
  
• Experience working across various Americas and African countries.
  
• Fluent in Portuguese or French.
  
• Experience working across several different NCS pathways and project types (e.g. REDD, sustainable grasslands management, ARR, Blue Carbon.

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

See all Conservation International Career Opportunities HERE

Conservation International is an equal opportunity, affirmative action, and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility-committed employer. We are proud to have a diverse, global workforce where employment decisions are based on qualifications, experience, position requirements, business needs, market conditions, merit, and other legitimate nondiscriminatory factors.

As a science-based organization, CI follows CDC recommendations for COVID-19 and other vaccines. Accordingly, for the health and safety of our employees, their families, and our community, subject to applicable local law, all Conservation International staff are expected to be vaccinated against COVID-19. However, vaccination is no longer a mandate or condition of employment and employees are not required to provide proof of vaccination. This means we will not require an individual to be vaccinated to enter a CI office, attend CI events or travel on CI-related trips. This applies for our community partners as well. This vaccine expectation applies to all team members working remotely, in a hybrid work arrangement, and on-site. Job applicants are NOT required to state their COVID-19 vaccine status in their application.