Portfolio Delivery Project Manager

Reporting to: Head of Portfolio Delivery, Project Development.

Location: UK (London or Oxford), EU, Nairobi, with ability to travel internationally up to 5 times per year.Remote working can be considered but office attendance will be required.Other locations can be considered for the right candidate.

THE ROLE

Climate Impact Partners develops new projects by contracting with project implementation partners (PIP) on the ground over a project period of up to 20 years and supporting them with carbon project expertise.Climate Impact Partners sources funding from clients and investors for the development of projects in return for verified carbon credits through the life of the project.

The Project Manager is responsible for the successful delivery of development projects from the point of signing with a project through the project life.You are also responsible for ensuring the integrity and reputational standing of the project through its life, for delivery against our commitments to our clients, and for delivering the expected commercial value for Climate Impact Partners.You will be the lead contact for the Project Implementation Partner (PIP) of the projects for which you are responsible.

The projects are predominantly nature-based solutions projects, typically in emerging markets in the tropical belt.Our project partners range from local NGOs to private companies who may have done at least one carbon project.This is a market that is rapidly evolving and the project are complex. Project development requires an appreciation of the on-the-ground realities in order to anticipate and pragmatically solve the issues that inevitably arise, taking into account the interests of all stakeholders including local partner(s), local communities, the client/investor and Climate Impact Partners.

You will be responsible for oversight, project management and reporting on up to 3 projects, potentially more depending on stage of development and level of project activity.This involves regular contact with project partners and an at least annual visit to each project.Development of a high-trust, productive relationship with the PIP is critical to enable successful navigation of challenges through the project life.

RESPONSBILITIES

• Prior to contract signing, review due diligence and project risk matrix with the deal team and help define workable payment milestones.
• Onboarding new development projects once contracted, with complete and documented handover from the deal team; ensure that PIP project governance is set up.
• Ensure that Climate Impact Partners meets its obligations to the funding client and the PIP; ensure that the partner meets its obligations and that CIP is able to secure the commercial value anticipated at time of contracting;identify opportunities to enhance Climate Impact Partners value from the project.
• Manage and document regular meetings with the project partner to be able to accurately track progress against the project plan and budget; assess the outlook against plan.
• Establish the leading indicators to be able to highlight early any expected deviations from the plan (e.g. trees planted, mortality rates, nursery readiness) and the implications of such deviations.Make early identification of risks and issues.Work with the partner to develop remedial plans and mitigations to keep the project on track to deliver, escalate internally as needed and secure required internal approvals for any changes.
• Where remedial actions require contract amendments, make proposals and lead the contract amendment negotiations with the project partner, with support from experienced Commercial Managers as needed.
• Working with the lead Technical Manager ensure that monitoring is being carried in accordance with plan, sharing best practice as we learn.
• Work with The Projects Coordinator to ensure that payments are made in accordance with contracts, supporting validation of payment milestone evidence as needed, and making recommendations for invoicing changes in the event that they are not.
• Involve in a timely fashion the lead Technical Manager and/or other experts as needed to review project documentation, VER projections, impact of project issues and remedial action, changes in standards, changes in law, etc.
• Maintain a good working relationship with long-term partners, balancing challenge and oversight with demonstrating value and fairness; position Climate Impact Partners for future opportunities with the partner.
• Provide accurate and timely reporting to the Head of Portfolio Delivery for internal reporting.Pro-actively contribute to portfolio reviews and “lessons learned” reviews with the wider team.
• Support the Client Solutions teams in reporting progress, opportunities and issues to our clients.
• Build a working knowledge of carbon asset development processes and relevant methodologies to ensure that you are informed on matters that can affect the project.
• Work with External Affairs to remain abreast of changes in national regulations relating to carbon which may impact the project.
• Ensure consistent and robust record keeping for the project and all decisions.

CAPABILITIES AND EXPEREINCE

• Significant experience and relevant track record in management of long-term project development and operational contracts with budgets of at least $10m requiring an understanding of on-the-ground realities of project delivery; rigorous project management skills;
• A desire to learn quickly about carbon project development and carbon markets is essential;
• Exposure to the challenges of working in emerging markets with a variety of delivery partners including smaller companies and NGOs, with an understanding or local stakeholder issues;
• An ability to build effective long-term relationships with partners, contractors and suppliers, balancing support and challenge; not always taking the first answer at face value and having the commercial maturity to assess stakeholder motivations and capabilities.

It would be advantageous, but not essential, to have experience in carbon project development or exposure to carbon markets.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

• Has a strong commercial mindset and can assess risk.
• Is solution-focused and pragmatic.
• Has excellent project management skills and attention to detail.
• Can manage competing priorities and is respectful of others’ time in a busy organisation.
• Sets high standards for ethical behaviour.
• Language skills would be an asset.

PERKS 

• Hybrid working with access to London or Oxford office
• 25 days paid holiday
• Private medical
• Life assurance
• Enhanced parental leave
• In-house Carbon Academy training programme
• Electric car scheme
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• 6% Employer pension contribution
• Bonus scheme, subject to company and individual performance
• London: Charismatic, Grade I listed building with state of the art office facilities on the doorstep of Paddington station, which includes showers, vanity room, dog friendly spaces, phone booths and plenty of break out spaces for collaboration.
• Oxford: Open plan office on Magdalen Road, Oxford, which is a short distance from vibrant Cowley Road. The office offers free snacks or is in walking distance of a number of unique cafes.
• Join a 2022 Best for the World™ B Corp™, awarded in recognition of our exceptional positive impact on its customers
• Join a profit-for-purpose business that delivers results and impact

Climate Impact Partners is an equal opportunities employer. Our goal is to be a diverse and inclusive workforce, that embraces our differences, and so all aspects of employment including the decision to hire and promote, will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business need. We do not discriminate on the basis of characteristics protected under federal, state, or local law. To support this, all applications are anonymised until the interview stage which means that regardless of who has applied, your characteristics are totally anonymous.