Carbon Manager

Carbon Manager Africa

Based in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire or other relevant African country 

Full time and long term position, local contract

Travels : up to 30%

Starting date: ASAP 2025

PUR Description

PUR is a global, impact-focused B-Corp specializing in the development of environmental restoration projects, known as 'nature-based solutions' (NbS). Since 2008, we have been helping the world’s largest organizations meet their ESG targets, reduce their environmental footprint, and regenerate the ecosystems they depend on across complex supply chains. Having developed over 45 projects in more than 30 countries, PUR is recognized as both a pioneer and leader in a sector that is now at the forefront of global efforts to address the ongoing climate and biodiversity crisis.

At the heart of our mission is a commitment to fostering and operationalizing insetting strategies—interventions by companies within their own value chains designed to reduce GHG emissions while creating positive impacts for communities, landscapes, and ecosystems. By championing this insetting approach, we aim to create a holistic range of benefits that extend beyond ecological restoration, encompassing social and economic dimensions through enhanced agricultural yields and resilience to climate change-induced stresses, among others.

One of the distinctive features of our work is our ability to tailor projects to the specific needs of different regions and communities. By recognizing the unique characteristics of each ecosystem and the cultural context of the communities involved, we ensure our initiatives are contextually relevant and have a meaningful and sustainable impact. All our projects are developed in close collaboration with local actors, including cooperatives, NGOs, governments, and corporations.Today, we employ 200 staff across 16 countries with key offices in Paris (HQ) and Toronto.

Industry

PUR operates within the dynamic and rapidly evolving sector of environmental consultancy services and nature-based solutions markets. These markets are closely linked with the voluntary carbon markets (VCM) when NbS projects produce carbon credits that can be traded on the VCM. The NbS market has recently gained traction as society recognizes the invaluable services provided by nature and the need to preserve, restore, and harness these services to mitigate and adapt to environmental challenges. To be considered a nature-based solution, projects must effectively address real societal challenges and offer strong environmental, economic, and social benefits for local communities.

Market KPIs:

• If combined with deep decarbonization efforts, NbS projects could provide up to 30% of the mitigation needed to limit global warming to 1.5ºC above pre-industrial levels by 2030 (World Economic Forum, 2023).

• NbS project credits make up the largest volumes of carbon credits available in the VCM and continue to attract the most investment, with $9 billion invested between 2020 and 2022 (Sylvera, 2023).

• In 2021, the VCM was estimated to be worth $2 billion, four times its 2020 value. By 2030, the market is expected to reach $10 to $40 billion (BCG, 2022).

• 5,307 companies have set science-based targets—a 4.2x increase since 2022—and are a significant driver of demand within the NbS and VCM markets (SBTi, 2024).

• To meet their SBTi targets and mitigate their climate-risk exposure, organizations around the world will need to invest in the type of projects PUR develops. Today, very few market players have a proven track record in NbS project implementation, and PUR is therefore well-positioned to benefit from the market’s expansion.

The Carbon manager will manage and oversee carbon certifications in the African region. As a key member of the Carbon team, you will report to the Head of Carbon who is based in the Netherlands. You will be responsible for preparing, implementing, following-up and monitoring carbon certification processes (VCS; Gold Standard and VCI) for a selection of agro-forestry and other nature based solution projects in the region (Côte d'Ivoire; Ghana; Uganda; Ethiopia and others).

Your responsibilities will include in a non-exhaustive manner :

• Operational responsibilities: Set-up, plan, coordinate, and monitor the implementation of carbon certification or monitoring activities; Build capacity for the Operations Team in charge of project implementation to ensure that field activities align with carbon requirements; Control the quality of the implementation; Improve proceedings when relevant; Develop and manage certification-related budgets.
• Data quality control: Support and collaborate with Operations and Data Teams to successfully collect all field data necessary for certification purposes, and regularly control the quality and consistency of the data received.
• Carbon performance : Monitor KPIs and prepare annual carbon performance (carbon removal calculations) reports on key projects, and identify an action plan to optimize performance.
• Reporting responsibilities : Prepare the Project Design Document (PDD) or Intervention Design Document (IDD) and/or Monitoring Report (MR) to support the validation and verifications by external auditors under relevant carbon standards (VCS ;Gold Standard; VCI)
• Stakeholder management: Be the focal point for carbon certification standards and auditors as well as legal advisors and government representatives throughout the certification process.
• Training: train local teams and stakeholders on carbon tools and proceedings; and contribute to the improvement of PUR’s educational material for carbon topics.
• Strategic watch: Keep up to date with international carbon frameworks (Paris Agreement article 6 and NDCs) as well as the legal frameworks of the countries where certification is planned to adapt processes and strategy as needed. Where relevant, consult with government representatives.
• Carbon methods and strategy: support the review and improvement of development of methods to align with carbon certification requirements (baseline, leakage, carbon estimations); internal data collection processes and other.
• Other topics: support as needed on other topics such as biodiversity, water and livelihoods.

We are looking for someone with:

• Bachelor’s Degree in forestry, agriculture, natural resource management, sustainability or climate change and carbon mitigation related fields;

• A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in managing the process of NBS carbon certifications in Africa (VCS,GS, VCI) or other relevant experience.

• Work experience in supply chains such as cocoa or coffee.

• Successful work experience related to carbon quantification and carbon modeling in the context of forestry/agroforestry systems in the African Region;

• Knowledge of the use of Excel or other worksheets;

• High tolerance for ambiguity; ability to thrive in a dynamic and rapidly changing environment; International experience is a strong plus;

• Strong sense of accountability and commitment/follow-through;

• Adept at giving and receiving feedback;

• Strong communication skills (clear, precise, and constructive);

• Looks for impact by making decisions based on facts and critical thinking;

• Fluent in English and French. Any other language would be a plus;

• Ideally this is a hybrid position based in Abidjan;

• Flexible to travel on a need-basis according to the project you'll be responsible for (up to 30% travels).

Recruitment process :

1. HR interview

2. Case study interview with the Head of Carbon  + References check

3. Interview with the Country Manager in Abidjan and/or Regional Manager

At PUR, we strive to build inclusive teams and an equitable workplace where our employees feel respected, supported, and empowered. As a global company operating across six continents, we recognize that diversity in the workplace is essential to achieving our mission.

We welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of age, race, gender, colour, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or any other aspect that makes them unique.

PUR is dedicated to providing an accessible environment for all candidates during the application process and for employees during their employment. If you require accommodation or consideration throughout the interview process, let us know, and we will do our best to support you.