Carbon Manager
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 Mexico City, Mexico
Conservation International is one of the global leaders in implementing natural climate solutions (NCS) and international voluntary markets to combat 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 and agricultural management, and Blue Carbon. These initiatives go beyond protecting forests and other ecosystems by integrating sustainable production and focusing on improving human well-being.
Working in close collaboration with CI Mexico Sr Technical Director, the Americas Finance Carbon Lead, and relevant global teams at CI, the Manager will follow up on the current pipeline of carbon finance projects in Mexico for the evaluation, approval, and project development stages as well as manage relationships with potential partners, particularly in-the-field activities, data collection and development of technical documentation. Using and applying in-house tools, and drafting internal documentation required for project assessment, this person will be responsible for conducting desktop analysis of country opportunities for NCS carbon crediting projects, conducting field visits for feasible opportunities, managing origination workflow across the pipeline of initiatives under consideration, supporting the development of full feasibility assessments for selected initiatives and oversee current projects under implementation.
To be successful, the Manager needs to be fully conversant with developments and trends in nature conservation in Mexico, national and international NCS carbon markets, climate policy, carbon/climate, and social and environmental safeguards certification standards, and have experience working on conservation carbon project, coastal and marine ecosystems, and/or climate-smart agriculture, forestry, and agroforestry. Having worked previously with NCS carbon methodologies (Verra VCS and CCBS, and Climate Action Reserve in particular) is highly required. The Manager must be able to work across a broad range of stakeholders including external partners in the private sector, development finance institutions, project developers, government, and civil society. Must have previous technical experience in carbon projects, preferably in forestry and agroforestry activities, as well as experience working with communities on-the-field activities.
The Manager will work in close collaboration with external partners, project developers/consultants, and key personnel across CI's Global Programs and Centers to ensure alignment 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
In close collaboration with the CI Mexico, the Americas Carbon Origination team, the Conservation Finance Division, and key external partners, including NGOs, local communities, project developers, investors, and financial institutions; help develop a quality NCS carbon finance project led by the CI Mexico Office and that meets CI's quality criteria and Safeguards.
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.
Serve as the project manager for the ongoing carbon projects in Mexico as the focal point with stakeholders, coordinating administrative and compliance tasks, joining field trips when needed, as provide overall supervision to technical aspects of the project.
WORKING CONDITIONS
The position is based in Mexico.
Frequent travel within Mexico, including traveling to remote locations with rustic conditions.
Some international travel.
This position follows a hybrid work structure, working some days from the office and some remotely.
QUALIFICATIONS
Required
A Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience in a relevant discipline or field related to the objectives of the program (e.g. environmental science, economics, forestry, agronomy, law, or business).
4 to 6 years of work experience with NCS projects (carbon, smart agriculture, forest management, restoration, etc.) and/or jurisdictional initiative development and implementation.
Demonstrated NCS carbon crediting knowledge and experience, including voluntary carbon markets and standards such as the Climate Action Reserve standard and the Mexico Forest Protocol, and Verra VCS / Climate Community & Biodiversity Standards.
Demonstrated track record of working effectively and collaboratively with multicultural, international, and multidisciplinary teams to produce concrete results.
Self-starter with the ability to work in a matrix organization.
Language Skills: English: Excellent written, reading, and speaking skills.
Preferred
Previous experience with project management.
Familiarity with land management project design.
Familiar with other carbon standards such as Plan Vivo, Gold Standard, or Social Carbon.
Familiarity with spatial analysis, GIS, and remote sensing.
Commercial and business acumen to be able to develop bankable NCS projects.
To apply for this position please submit a resume and cover letter.
Application Deadline: October 4, 2024 (11:49 PM EST)
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.
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