Senior Manager, Nature Markets Project Development

Conservation International is seeking a Senior Manager for Nature Markets Project Development, based in Cape Town, Johannesburg, or Nairobi. The role involves providing technical support for nature market projects across Africa, managing project development from scoping to implementation. Responsibilities include coordinating assessments, overseeing project management, and ensuring alignment with conservation objectives. The position also focuses on improving project development approaches and managing multidisciplinary teams.
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 Cape town or Johannesburg, South Africa and Nairobi, Kenya The Senior Manager, Nature Markets Project Development, will provide technical support for the development of a portfolio of high-integrity nature market projects across Africa. Reporting to the Managing Director, Nature Markets, the role will support the technical assessment, design, and development of nature market opportunities, supporting projects from initial scoping through implementation.


Working closely with country programs, project partners, technical consultants, and cross-functional teams, the position will coordinate technical assessments and other project development activities to ensure projects are technically robust and aligned with CI's conservation objectives and principles of high integrity.


The role will also provide project management oversight throughout the project development lifecycle, coordinating multidisciplinary teams, consultants, workplans, budgets, risks, and project reporting to ensure projects are delivered in accordance with agreed objectives, timelines, and quality standards.


The Senior
Manager will contribute to the continuous improvement of CI's nature market project development approaches, tools, and technical capacity while supporting the successful delivery of projects under the Keystone Protected Area Financing initiative, the Nature Markets Accelerator, and other Nature Markets initiatives.
Responsibilities
Nature Market Project Development



Support the development and implementation of a portfolio of nature market projects across Africa, ensuring projects are delivered in accordance with agreed workplans, budgets, timelines, and project objectives.
Lead the development of nature market projects, including project scoping, technical assessments, due diligence, and the selection and application of appropriate nature market mechanisms.
Lead the preparation and review of technical studies, project documentation, and other project deliverables required to support project development and implementation.
Support the application of safeguards, governance frameworks, benefit-sharing approaches, and other project integrity requirements throughout project development and implementation.
Develop and manage project workplans, schedules, budgets, risks, and reporting requirements to ensure projects progress effectively through the project development lifecycle.
Manage technical consultants and other service providers, including development of Terms of Reference, review of technical deliverables, and monitoring consultant performance.
Identify technical and implementation challenges and work with project teams, partners, and technical specialists to develop practical solutions.
Conduct field visits to monitor project progress, assess implementation challenges, support project partners, and provide technical input during project development.
Prepare project updates and progress reports for internal and external stakeholders, ensuring reporting requirements are met accurately and on time.
Promote knowledge sharing, lessons learned, and good practices across projects to improve quality and consistency of project development

Project Integrity and Governance

Collaborate with Finance, Grants and Contracts, Legal, and other support teams to ensure projects comply with CI policies, donor agreements, and applicable regulatory requirements.
Support the review of project financial and grant reports to ensure resources are managed in accordance with approved budgets and project agreements.
Contribute to the continuous improvement of project management systems, operational processes, and project development approaches across the Nature Markets portfolio.

People And Resource Management Responsibilities

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.
Perform other related duties as assigned.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Normal office environment.
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