Senior Manager, Structured Nature Finance, Africa

Role Overview

This role helps develop and deliver structured nature finance opportunities across Africa, from assessing early-stage concepts to coordinating their implementation. Working with Conservation International’s regional teams, conservation partners, finance specialists, and support functions, the role helps turn promising financing ideas into viable projects that can advance conservation and build lasting capacity for sustainable finance.

Key Responsibilities

• Assess prospective nature finance opportunities, supporting initial due diligence and feasibility work, including financial analysis and modelling where needed.
• Provide analytical and technical support to regional teams and partners developing private-sector-linked financing mechanisms and future sustainable finance deals.
• Manage day-to-day delivery across the Structured Nature Finance portfolio, including work plans, schedules, resources, budgets, and project tracking systems.
• Coordinate specialist contributions and work closely with internal experts, external consultants, and finance partners to evaluate and shape potential transactions.
• Oversee project-related contracting, procurement, and consultant engagement, and represent the team in relevant meetings and partner discussions.
• Work with Finance, Grants and Contracts, Legal, and other teams to maintain compliance with organizational policies, donor terms, and applicable regulations.
• Review project finance and grant reports to check that spending aligns with approved budgets and agreements.
• Identify and implement improvements to portfolio project management, operational processes, and opportunity-development approaches.

Requirements & Qualifications

• At least five to seven years of relevant experience in financial analysis, investment structuring, and implementing investment strategies across multiple projects.
• A bachelor’s degree in corporate finance, investment finance, or a related discipline, or equivalent education and experience.
• Experience in impact investment fields such as renewable energy, microfinance, water, sanitation and hygiene, sustainable agriculture, or ecotourism.
• Knowledge of established and emerging nature and climate finance, including carbon and environmental markets relating to biodiversity, water, or nutrients at global, regional, or local levels.
• Experience managing complex or large-scale projects and programs, including scheduling, resource planning, and budget management.
• Strong financial modelling and analytical capabilities, alongside clear presentation, communication, and writing skills.
• Ability to work independently, set priorities, and deliver to deadlines with limited oversight.
• Fluency in English.
• A master’s degree is preferred.
• Experience with mechanisms such as sustainability bonds or loans, payments for environmental services, carbon offsets or credits, and investments in small, medium, and micro enterprises is an advantage.
• Experience working with protected area authorities, community conservancies, Indigenous Peoples, or local communities is preferred.

What We Offer / Why Join

The position offers the opportunity to contribute to a developing portfolio of nature finance initiatives in Africa, collaborating with regional teams and partners across conservation and finance. It is full-time and based in a normal office environment, with frequent regional travel—around 30%, sometimes to remote locations with basic facilities—and flexibility to work across time zones. Candidates must already be legally eligible to work in an African country where Conservation International operates; visa or work authorization sponsorship is not available.