Carbon Finance Origination & Deal Lead Africa

About the role

Conservation International is seeking a senior professional to lead carbon finance origination and deal execution across the Africa region. The role will combine upstream project sourcing with downstream commercial negotiations to build a high‑quality portfolio of natural climate solutions.

Key responsibilities

• Identify, originate, and structure large‑scale landscape restoration projects that generate high‑integrity carbon credits.
• Lead all commercial aspects of carbon finance transactions, from initial engagement to final credit sale.
• Coordinate with the Africa Field Management Unit to align carbon strategies with on‑the‑ground conservation objectives.
• Manage the end‑to‑end project cycle, ensuring partners understand CI’s value proposition and that buyer/investor interests are addressed.
• Support fundraising initiatives and collaborate with the global Carbon Finance team to attract investment for individual projects and the broader portfolio.

Required profile

• Proven experience in carbon finance, deal origination, or related environmental finance sectors.
• Ability to navigate complex, multi‑country environments in Africa.
• Strong commercial acumen with a track record of leading negotiations with both project partners and credit buyers.
• Self‑motivated, independent, and capable of building and leveraging a professional network.

Required skills