Manager, Carbon Markets at FSD Africa

Created in 2012, FSD Africa is a £30 million financial sector development programme or 'FSD’ based in Nairobi. It is funded by the UK Government’s Department for International Development (DFID). FSD Africa aims to reduce poverty across sub-Saharan Africa by building financial markets that are efficient, robust and inclusive.

 

Manager, Carbon Markets

• Job TypeRemote
• QualificationBA/BSc/HND , MBA/MSc/MA
• Experience6 - 8 years
• LocationNairobi
• Job FieldFinance / Accounting / Audit 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ROLE REQUIREMENTS

Strategy & Programme/Investment Design

Contribute to the development of FSD Africa’s Carbon Markets strategy and portfolio, contributing personal knowledge and expertise in de-carbonisation, sustainable development and carbon market development:

• Stay abreast of local, regional and international developments, regulatory environment, trends, opportunities and risks in the Carbon Markets space to determine their potential impact on the programme’s strategy; includes undertaking personal professional development to keep up to date.
• Scope out existing research (and undertake additional research if agreed upon) to gain a deep and comprehensive understanding how Carbon Market development can accelerate Africa’s green market transition.
• Participate in strategy and business plan development for the Carbon Markets Programme, ensuring consideration of FSD Africa’s overarching goal of Making Finance Work for Africa's Future, target geographies and other strategic priorities. 
• Research and provide advice across FSD Africa pillars on technical aspects of programmes and investments including areas such emission reduction strategies, market mechanisms, financial and economic analysis and technology and innovation.
• In collaboration with Lead, Carbon Markets and colleagues across pillars, complete needs assessments and design programmes and investment opportunities with credible and convincing cases for submission and approval in accordance with the FSD Africa approval process.

Project Cycle Management

Coordinate the roll-out of a portfolio of projects so that results are achieved, risks are managed, and quality projects are delivered.  

In the case of projects under direct management:

• Where applicable. lead the identification and onboarding of consultants and implementing partners involved in the projects under management; includes drafting Terms of Reference and other documentation for the procurement of external resources and supporting the procurement process.
• Work with the above stakeholders to refine project strategy and to develop detailed project plans, budgets and trackers, including risk management frameworks.
• Prepare financial models and risk/return projections, as may be required, in collaboration with other FSD Africa Pillars.
• Ensure that all stakeholders who will be involved in projects/investments are aware of expectations and properly equipped to deliver; this includes quality standards, risk management provisions and data reporting requirements.
• Work with implementing partners to assist them in implementing these projects according to the project plan and budget:
• Organise a regular schedule of visits or 'monitoring touchpoints' for both self and members of other pillars as appropriate 
• Address delivery shortfalls with a coaching style in the first instance
• Negotiate assertively, with the administration of consequences, in case of persistent failure to deliver
• Ensure learnings from the projects are being used to build capacity across the organisation and also are incorporated into future programme planning. 
• Manage the activities associated with project closure in line with FSD Africa's policy; this includes ensuring that implementing partners have a plan for sustainability following FSD Africa's exit.

In the case of projects managed by other pillar/cross-pillar colleagues: 

• Support colleagues managing the delivery of Carbon Market projects if/as required, including identifying partners, reviewing TORs, plans and other project documentation, participating in project meetings, reviewing project deliverables etc.
• Maintain a detailed inventory of FSD Africa/FSD Africa Investments (FSDAi) Carbon Markets projects for ongoing strategy refinement, development impact and communication purposes.
• Assist colleagues in identifying and developing concepts for integrating non-carbon projects into carbon markets. Ensure these concepts align with FSD Africa’s overall value proposition and strategic objectives. 

Financial Management, Risks & Resources

Ensure effective management of resources/budgets for projects under management, aiming to optimise the impact that is achieved with resources and ensuring compliance with FSD Africa and donor policies:

• Contribute towards the Pillar’s and FSD Africa's fundraising efforts, for instance, by scoping prospective funding opportunities, writing sections relevant to Carbon Markets, developing detailed plans and budgets etc.; support the development of project proposals that meet Investment Committee standards.
• For projects under management, develop detailed implementation plans, budgets and cash-flow forecasts that will ensure project success; ensure that overall, Pillar plans and budgets are kept up-to-date with this information.
• Support investees/implementing partners through the due diligence process and the development of contractual agreements, ensuring that a quality risk assessment is carried out whilst minimising any negative impact on the investee.
• Liaise with FSD Africa support departments to ensure that resources are managed in line with policy and in compliance with relevant statutory requirements/legislation.
• Track and analyse project/portfolio performance through a Value for Money (VfM) lens, making recommendations or taking action to optimise Development Impact as a result of funds invested.

Development Impact & Learning

• Collaborate with the Development Impact team to ensure robust management of Development Impact for the projects under management; ensure accurate and timely reporting on project activities, milestones, outcomes and lessons learned:
• Ensure that each project under management has a quality Development Impact thesis that is periodically reviewed and refined, with learning fed into the design of future strategies/projects.
• Work collaboratively with the Development Impact team to develop tools and trackers that will provide evidence, learning and insights; liaise with project stakeholders to ensure that these will be easy to use and time/cost effective.
• Ensure the collection of all required quantitative and qualitative data from project stakeholders, in accordance with the project plan and Development Impact framework; following up as necessary to ensure accuracy and completeness.

Review periodic Development Impact reports and take appropriate action based on the results and analysis:

• If desired results have been achieved, initiate strategies for widespread awareness-raising and ‘crowding in’, focusing on applying leverage, replication of the project, and scaling
• If desired results have not been achieved, either manage performance of the implementation team or adjust the strategy/approach
• Liaise with the Lead, Carbon Markets to prepare periodic reports or to give presentations to senior managers, donors or the Investment Committee on individual projects and/or FSD Africa/FSDAi’s Carbon Markets portfolio as required.

Influencing and Communicating for Impact

Actively participate in development, and lead implementation, of advocacy and communications plans for projects under management and support FSD Africa/FSDAi-wide Carbon Markets communication efforts: 

• Contribute to carbon markets stakeholder mapping, especially in priority markets, identifying key beneficiary groups and decision makers; assist in developing innovative ideas for influencing them.
• When developing project plans, consult and collaborate with the Communications team to identify how stakeholders need to be influenced to support the success of the intervention; for instance, by advocating for policy reform or stimulating market demand amongst potential beneficiaries.
• Work collaboratively with the Communications team to develop and implement work plans and budgets; ensuring that efforts are monitored and evaluated to ensure impact.
• Contribute to the implementation of the communication and advocacy strategy (e.g. by developing content for written materials/website; participating in campaigns etc); participate in and contribute to the development of annual and quarterly reports.
• Represent FSD Africa in public forums and networking opportunities; at all times behaving in a manner consistent with FSD Africa’s brand and values.

Relationship Management

Take initiative to build relationships and ensure effective collaboration with and between all project implementers and stakeholders and FSD Africa/FSDAi colleagues:

• Identify, engage and build relationships with key partners and market actors who have the capacity and motivation to effectively contribute towards Carbon Markets development and/or project success.
• Identify and pursue cross-pillar programming opportunities that align with the Carbon Markets strategy and intervention approach; work collaboratively with FSD Africa and FSDAi colleagues to leverage synergies.
• Ensure a good understanding of stakeholder requirements for information or capacity-building; develop and deliver (or organise) events or disseminate materials that meet their needs effectively.
• Design and deliver on knowledge sharing and capacity building sessions for both internal and external key stakeholders.
• Manage any colleagues or consultants who are engaged on the projects under management using an engaging leadership style to drive high performance and motivation.

Qualifications and Education

• Master’s degree and six years of relevant experience or bachelor’s degree and eight years of relevant experience 
• At least three years’ experience working on carbon market initiatives 
• Excellent skills in written and spoken English

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Method of Application

Interested and qualified? Go to FSD Africa on fsdafrica.seamlesshiring.com to apply