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- Tasks: Lead nature-based carbon projects from planning to execution and ensure compliance with international standards.
- Company: Join a dynamic team focused on sustainability and environmental impact in Zimbabwe.
- Benefits: Full-time role with opportunities for field travel and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in climate change while developing your project management skills.
- Qualifications: Degree in relevant fields and 5-8 years of experience in nature-based projects.
- Other info: Engage with local communities and contribute to sustainable development.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
The Program Manager – Nature Based Carbon Projects will be responsible for the end-to-end management of a portfolio of nature-based carbon projects in Zimbabwe. The role requires strong capability across project execution, stakeholder coordination, monitoring systems, and alignment with international carbon standards (VCS, Gold Standard, Social Carbon, Plan Vivo, etc.). The Program Manager will ensure projects are technically compliant, operationally efficient, financially viable, and delivery-ready from implementation through long-term monitoring.
Key Responsibilities
- Project Planning & Execution: Lead implementation of ARR and AFOLU carbon projects from post-feasibility to operational phase. Develop and manage project execution plans, timelines, budgets, and resource allocation. Coordinate nursery development, plantation activities, survival management, and maintenance plans. Ensure timely achievement of project milestones aligned with crediting schedules.
- Carbon Standards & Technical Compliance: Ensure project implementation aligns with VCS / Gold Standard AFOLU methodologies. Support development and execution readiness for PDD, monitoring plans, and verification cycles. Maintain defensible implementation records to support baseline, additionality, permanence, and leakage requirements. Coordinate with technical consultants, validators, and verifiers as required.
- Monitoring, Reporting & Data Management: Oversee establishment of field-level MRV systems, including survival rate monitoring, biomass growth tracking, and geo-referenced plantation records. Ensure high-quality data collection to support carbon credit issuance and audits. Manage documentation and data archiving in line with registry requirements.
- Stakeholder & Community Engagement: Manage relationships with local communities, landholders, contractors, and field teams. Ensure community engagement, benefit-sharing mechanisms, and grievance redressal processes are implemented. Support capacity building and training of local teams for long-term project sustainability.
- Financial & Risk Management: Monitor project costs and operational efficiency against approved financial models. Identify and manage key project risks, particularly operational and delivery risks. Support integration of cultivation revenues and carbon revenues where applicable. Provide inputs for periodic financial and performance reviews.
- Reporting & Management Support: Prepare regular progress reports for internal management and investors. Flag deviations, risks, and mitigation measures proactively. Support scale-up planning for multi-site or large-area AFOLU portfolios.
Required Qualifications & Experience
- Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Forestry, Agriculture, Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, Climate Change or related fields with relevant certifications.
- Experience: 5–8 years of experience in AFOLU, forestry, agriculture, or nature-based projects. Working knowledge of carbon standards (VCS, Gold Standard preferred). Experience managing field teams and multi-stakeholder projects in Africa preferred.
Program Manager – AFOLU employer: Terraviva
Contact Detail:
Terraviva Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Program Manager – AFOLU
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the AFOLU and nature-based project space. Attend events, join online forums, and connect with people on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, highlight your experience with carbon standards and project management. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully led projects in the past.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Understand their approach to community engagement and carbon compliance. This will help you tailor your answers and show that you're genuinely interested in their work.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’re always on the lookout for passionate individuals who can manage nature-based carbon projects. Your next big opportunity could be just a click away!
We think you need these skills to ace Program Manager – AFOLU
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Program Manager role. Highlight your experience in managing nature-based projects and your knowledge of carbon standards. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about AFOLU projects and how your background makes you a great fit. We love hearing personal stories that connect to our mission.
Showcase Your Project Management Skills: In your application, be sure to showcase your project planning and execution skills. Mention specific projects you've led, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them. We’re keen on seeing your problem-solving abilities!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications better and ensures you don’t miss any important updates from us. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Terraviva
✨Know Your Carbon Standards
Make sure you brush up on the VCS and Gold Standard methodologies before your interview. Being able to discuss how these standards apply to the projects you'll be managing will show that you're not just familiar with the concepts, but that you can also implement them effectively.
✨Showcase Your Project Management Skills
Prepare specific examples of past projects you've managed, especially those related to AFOLU or nature-based initiatives. Highlight your experience in project planning, execution, and stakeholder coordination to demonstrate your capability in handling the responsibilities of this role.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about how you would approach community engagement and relationship management. Be ready to share strategies you've used in the past to build trust and ensure benefit-sharing mechanisms are effective. This will show that you understand the importance of local involvement in project success.
✨Data Management is Key
Familiarise yourself with monitoring, reporting, and data management systems relevant to carbon projects. Be prepared to discuss how you’ve ensured high-quality data collection and compliance with registry requirements in previous roles, as this is crucial for the position.
