Carbon Project Development Manager (Blue Carbon)

EcoAct is seeking a Carbon Project Development Manager (Blue Carbon) based in London. This role involves leading a team to develop and implement carbon projects, ensuring compliance with standards, and managing relationships with partners. Key responsibilities include sourcing opportunities, supervising project appraisals, ensuring project quality, and developing the Blue Carbon strategy. Candidates should have significant experience in carbon project development, particularly in developing countries.
EcoAct

London, United Kingdom

About the role

Carbon offset, carbon neutrality and net zero initiatives are gaining momentum in all our geographical areas. On the compliance side, regional and sectorial regulations are escalating as well. Project development demand is growing, with increased interest in carbon sequestration and removals.

In this context, we are currently looking for a Blue Carbon Team Manager within the Project Development and Management (PDM) Unit.

This role will lead the team in charge of the development of new carbon projects, their implementation during the investment phase and ensure their monitoring during all the carbon credits crediting period. The Blue Carbon team is composed of Project Analysts, Project Officers and Project Leads.

Key responsibilities and deliverables
• Sourcing new opportunities; networking with potential partners, participating in workshops and conferences;
• Supervising the appraisal of identified opportunities: partner’s due diligence, carbon sequestration estimation, economic feasibility, legal and regulatory context analysis;
• Ensuring compliance with EcoAct project structuring guidelines: business plan elaboration, implementation process and technical relevance approval, organizational set-up, contractual agreements negotiation, environmental and social impact assessment, carbon standard documentation writing and registration under international ICROA recognized carbon standards (VERRA and GS mostly);
• Taking responsibility for project implementation quality and the portfolio performance: budget use control, implementation follow-up, MRV processes under the standards, carbon credits issuance and transfer, monitoring report preparation;
• Responsible for development of the Blue Carbon strategy;
• Managing the team, including mentoring and training staff.
Relationships

Reporting to the Head of the Project Development and Management business unit, this role will be required to work closely with all members of the PDM team and wider teams, both advisory and sales, to achieve Company objectives. External relationships are a key part of the role, with a requirement to liaise with project teams, clients, overseas offices, and representatives from partner organisations.

Professional background and experience

Significant post-graduate experience implementing and monitoring carbon projects is required, specifically in developing countries. Expertise in the following areas is required:

Technical
• Relevant degree such as Environmental Science or Oceanography;
• Multiple years of relevant experience in carbon project development in developing countries including experience with Blue Carbon projects;
• Strong sectorial background and technical expertise;
• Excellent knowledge of carbon offset methodologies (VERRA, GS, etc.) and the associated documentation (PDD and MRV);
• On-field experience in conducting site missions/audits, inspecting technology performance and conducting professional in-person engagement and training with implementing partners;
• Experience leading on project reviews – Listing, Design Certification and Issuance;
• On-field experience in conducting site missions/audits, inspecting technology performance and conducting professional in-person engagement and training with implementing partners;
• Proficiency in budget elaboration and financial management of projects desired;
• Excellent data handling skills and advanced knowledge of Excel is essential in this role
Professional
• Excellent project management skills, successfully managing multiple projects simultaneously;
• Strong management skills and a team player with high personal and professional standards, who can mentor and motivate more junior staff;
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills;
• Experience of building successful culturally diverse relationships is essential;
• Fluency in English – verbal and written;
• Capable of working alone and in a group setting;
• An ability to see the ‘big picture’, as well as focus on the detail.