Senior Manager, Structured Nature Finance (Africa) at Conservation International 

Job Description

POSITION SUMMARY – Preferred location for this role is Johannesburg or Cape Town, South Africa, or Nairobi, Kenya; however, candidates based in any of our other CI Africa locations, including Botswana, Liberia, Angola, and Madagascar, will also be considered.

Conservation International’s Nature Finance Africa team is developing its Structured Nature Finance (SNF) portfolio focused on designing and tailoring financial deals aimed at attracting non-traditional, namely private sector, providers of funding for conservation impact.
The Senior Manager, Structured Nature Finance (Africa) will be responsible for identifying, analyzing (via both rigorous quantitative and qualitative assessment), and helping to develop SNF pipeline opportunities with the aim of catalyzing and supporting the establishment of viable financial deals that will enable private sector participation as well as support the protection and restoration of ecosystems, enhance protected area management, and promote sustainable and inclusive livelihoods and economies. In particular, the position will provide technical support and institutional strengthening to both CI and its conservation partners across CI’s Africa priority areas.

The role will work in close collaboration with the broader Nature Finance portfolio teams in Africa (including payments for ecosystem services (e.g. carbon, water, biodiversity credits), protected area financing (e.g. trust funds, project finance for permanence), eco-tourism and finance plan development), and will deep dive into investment opportunities identified within conservation-based projects on the ground and get these to an investment-ready stage.  Here, the role will require from the successful candidate an in-depth knowledge of project and corporate finance analysis, as well as structuring and deal-making criteria of various financing mechanisms.  In addition, the successful candidate will have in-depth and technical experience with cash flow/ financial modelling. This position will assume responsibility for day-to-day management of all SNF projects across Africa (with immediate focus on projects identified as SNF priorities as well as those falling under the Keystone Protected Area Finance initiative).

The work includes project management and managing relationships with various stakeholders (including potential funders, project developers, implementation partners and regional CI team members), project pipeline origination, financial analysis/ modelling, due diligence, and assisting with investment transactions from origination through to closing. It will require working in close coordination with CI’s global programs to identify opportunities for financed conservation interventions: assessing their feasibility, designing their implementation, proving them out for maximum impact, and scaling them more broadly across CI, partner organizations, and commercial actors.

This position does not directly supervise staff.
RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support the CI Structured Nature Finance team with the early-stage identification, due diligence, and design of new potential nature finance opportunities: help to support the initial due diligence and feasibility process (which may include financial modelling to test for feasibility).
• Supporting the development of the Structured Nature Finance (SNF) deal portfolio within Africa: provide analytical and technical support to the CI’s regional team as well as conservation and finance partners to launch private sector linked financing mechanisms and build out the capacity for further sustainable financing deals within this focus area for CI.
• Lead project management of day-to-day activities under the SNF portfolio (coordinating input from more specialized technical experts as needed) and management of overall project delivery. This includes maintenance of project management and delivery systems, contracting / procurement processes, monitoring of external consultancies hired, and representing the SNF team in all project-related meetings/ engagements.
• Work in close collaboration with other Nature Finance technical experts (both internal CI, as well as external consultants and finance sector partners) when it comes to scoping, evaluation, and applying structuring considerations of SNF opportunities.
• 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 Structured Nature Finance portfolio.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.  

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Normal office environment.
• This is a full-time position.
• Frequent travel (~30%) within the Africa region will be required; often this will entail travel to remote locations with rustic conditions.
• Flexibility in work schedule is required to accommodate collaboration across multiple time zones with global, regional, and country teams.
• Guidance on flexible work arrangements will be shared during the interview process.
• Work Authorization: Candidates must be legally eligible to work in one of the African countries where CI operates, without requiring work authorization or visa sponsorship. 

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Education and experience equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree in corporate/investment finance or other relevant finance disciplines.
• Minimum of 5 to 7 years of relevant experience in the financial analysis, structuring, and implementation of investment strategies across an array of projects.
• Experience with impact investing sectors, such as renewable energy, microfinance, WASH, sustainable agriculture, eco-tourism, etc.
• Demonstrated knowledge and familiarity with existing and emerging nature and climate financing trends, including, but not limited to those related to global, regional, and local carbon and environmental (e.g., biodiversity, water, nutrient) markets and trends.
• Experience in the analysis, design, and management of large and/or complex programs and projects, including project scheduling, resource planning, and budgeting.
• Strong analytical and financial modelling abilities.
• Strong communication and presentation skills.
• Excellent writing skills.
• Self-starter and ability to work independently with minimal oversight.
• Proven ability to set and focus on priorities to meet deadlines.
• Fluency in English.

Preferred

• Master’s degree
• Experience analyzing and implementing impact finance mechanisms such as sustainability bonds/loans, payments for environmental services, carbon offsets, carbon credits, SMME investments.
• Experience working with protected area authorities, community conservancies, Indigenous Peoples and local communities.

To apply for this position, please submit a resume and cover letter.

Application Deadline: November 9, 2026  (11:49 PM EST) *Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, early submission is encouraged.