South Pole is an energetic, global company offering comprehensive sustainability solutions and services. With offices spanning all continents across the globe, we strive to create a sustainable society and economy that positively impacts our climate, ecosystems and developing communities. With our solutions we inspire and enable our customers to create value from sustainability-related activities.
Our Project Development team is at the forefront of developing and managing climate mitigation activities. By working closely with project owners and developers as well as their local communities, we manage the complete registration, verification and evaluation of carbon projects to enable the issuance of emission-reduction certificates, in line with official carbon standards. If you are a smart, ambitious and dynamic sustainability professional with a strong passion to make a real difference in the fight against climate change, the below position may be right for you!
Job summary:
As a Senior Investment Manager for Africa Projects within our Structured Carbon Finance team you will oversee investments made into Nature-based Solutions (NbS) and household carbon project opportunities regionally. As many projects require upfront investment, your role will be to work with and under the guidance of the Head of Structured Carbon Finance and with Project Implementation Teams (both internal and external to South Pole) to mitigate project risks and ensure that Projects deliver future emission reductions. You will create the necessary financial and project reporting for clients and investors. Your ultimate goal will be to ensure investments and early stage financing into carbon projects in Africa are delivering on commitments.
Main tasks & responsibilities:
- Responsibilities include overseeing investments into NbS and household carbon projects in Africa, and working with Project partners and South Pole’s Project Implementation team to ensure carbon credits or other environmental services are delivered to clients according to agreed delivery timelines.
- Support the design of financial models for NBS and household carbon projects, to ensure their long-term financial sustainability and ability to attract external investment
- Work with Project partners on their financial budgeting, implementation strategy and support execution of the Project Implementation work plan;
- Occasionally support pursuit of new business opportunities including proposal development for clients and investors
- Identify and help to mitigate risks of under-delivery of carbon credits against agreed delivery schedules with clients
- Develop Reporting frameworks & templates that can be used for financial and project reporting to investors, and gather necessary inputs from Project partners
- Ensure timely delivery of payments to Project partners, according to agreed work plans and budgets
- Report on the performance of the Project(s) to investors and clients including preparation of presentations or workshops as requested
Requirements:
Essential:
- A University degree in Finance, Economics or related field, ideally with evidence of a focus on environmental or sustainability issues. A Masters degree would be an advantage.
- 5-7 years of relevant commercial experience, preferably in climate change or related field
- Strong track record in financing modeling and forecasting, ideally in project finance
- Proven ability to work across multiple teams, in multi-disciplinary projects
- Entrepreneurial and proactive mindset, willingness to take initiative
- Fluent English, French proficiency. Other language skills are a plus.
Desirable:
- Knowledge of and experience emission reduction project-based carbon standards, technologies and project development processes
- Knowledge and experience of working in Nature-based Solutions (NbS) or household devices such as cookstoves, water filters, home solar or household biogas opportunities
- Experience working with a multicultural and ethnically diverse global company
What we offer:
At South Pole, we care about our employees as much as we care about the planet. South Pole is not just an employer, we are a Team. South Pole does not just offer people a job, we offer you a career. By joining our team, you will find strong purpose and deep meaning in everything you do. You will have the chance to make a real difference for our clients and for the planet, working alongside a passionate team of like-minded colleagues, while building your knowledge/skills and developing your career in a fun, dynamic, international and fast-growing organisation.
We’re a planet of 7.5 billion unique and different people. We all have a contribution to make; South Pole is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, national origin, marital status or disability. Our recruitment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit and business need.
