Project Manager

Overview Reports to: Chief International Operating Officer Department: Programs Location: Loita Hills (Narok County) with regular travel in the area Employment is through Compassionate Carbon Africa (Kenyan-registered affiliate of Eden: People+Planet) LOCAL NATIONALS ONLY; Compassionate Carbon Africa is not able to sponsor visas for this position Position details Position classification: Full-time Company information: Compassionate Carbon Africa (CC) works to facilitate landscape restoration, conservation and community development through nature-based solutions. CC's mission is to foster healthy relationships between communities and the land on which we all depend through landscape restoration and conservation. We envision a world where communities thrive in healthy and restored environments. Job purpose: The Project Manager leads the day-to-day planning, coordination, and delivery of the Olokeri Carbon Project that is under development in the Loita Hills. The role focuses on supporting project development and execution on the ground, working closely with community leaders, local partners, and technical specialists to design and establish a carbon-financed project that protects and restores forests while developing and strengthening sustainable livelihoods for communities that depend on the landscape for a living. Essential Responsibilities Project development + Delivery: Coordinate project design as well as the day-to-day implementation of activities across the project area. Develop and track work plans, timelines, and deliverables aligned with project goals. Identify and flag any risks, delays, or challenges to senior leadership, enabling timely adjustments. Ensure all activities are carried out in ways that provide tangible benefits to local communities and the environment. Community + Stakeholder Engagement: Support inclusive engagement with local communities, ensuring strong participation and respect for local decision-making processes. Coordinate FPIC (Free, Prior, and Informed Consent) processes with communities and other stakeholders. Build and maintain positive working relationships with community leaders, relevant government agencies, NGOs, and local partners to foster collaboration and support for the project. Standards, Monitoring + Reporting: Act as the link between the field team and technical specialists (carbon, ecology, monitoring), coordinating logistics, field access, and community inputs for technical assessments and studies. Support compliance with applicable environmental and carbon standards by following established procedures and guidance. Coordinate baseline studies, ongoing monitoring activities, and data collection with technical support. Assist in preparing progress updates and reports for internal use and external partners. Team Leadership + Operations: Provide day-to-day supervision and support to the local project team, fostering a collaborative, respectful, and problem-solving team culture. Support basic budget tracking and ensure the responsible use of project resources in line with guidance from senior management. Promote safeguarding, ethical, and safety practices among all team members and throughout all project activities. Risk Awareness: Identify potential environmental, social, or operational risks and promptly raise them to senior leadership. Support the implementation of mitigation actions and adjustments as needed to keep the project on track. Other duties: As assigned. Qualifications Bachelor's degree in environmental studies, natural resource management, community development, or related fields. Minimum of 5 years of program or project coordination in conservation, climate, rural development, or NGO settings. Practical experience working closely with rural communities and local stakeholders. Exposure to forest conservation, landscape restoration, or climate-related projects, including involvement in monitoring, data collection, or reporting processes. Familiarity with carbon projects or climate finance initiatives (even at a supporting level); direct experience with carbon standards or carbon accounting is an advantage. Skills & Abilities Strong coordination + organization: able to keep work plans on schedule and team activities aligned and accountable to project timelines. Community-oriented mindset: respects local knowledge, priorities, and decision-making processes. Clear communication: can explain plans and technical information clearly and raises issues or concerns early to appropriate stakeholders. Practical problem-solving: remains calm, adaptable, and solutions-focused when facing challenges in the field or project operations. Team player: comfortable supporting others, collaborating across disciplines, and learning from technical specialists. Integrity + accountability: demonstrates a strong commitment to ethical conduct, safeguarding standards, and personal accountability in all actions. Cultural + environmental awareness: understands Kenyan environmental and land-use contexts and is able to work effectively in rural, field-based settings. Language + computer skills: fluency in English and Kiswahili, required; fluency in Kimaa is an asset. Proficient in standard office software and basic project management tools is required. Work Conditions Work Environment: Combination of office and field environments. When in the office frequent computer use and teleconference collaboration is required for remote teams. Fieldwork involves regular visits to rural forest and landscape restoration sites, where exposure to outdoor weather conditions and rustic or challenging environments may occur. Work Schedule: Typically 40 hours per week, with flexibility for community meetings and fieldwork, which may include early mornings, evenings, or weekends. Adaptability to project needs and local agricultural cycles is essential. Physical Requirements: The position can be physically active when on-site, and involves periods of desk-based computer work. The ability to hike in remote areas, traverse uneven terrain, and remain physically active in outdoor conditions is required. Travel: Frequent travel across the project site (including rural and remote areas) is required, potentially 50-70% of the time. Occasional regional or international travel for training or conferences may be needed. Safety and Special Conditions: Compliance with safety protocols, including protective gear and safe equipment use, is mandatory. All activities follow environmental and social safeguards. Candidates must have legal authorization to live and work in Kenya; Compassionate Carbon is unable to sponsor work permits for this position. Compassionate Carbon Africa is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. Disclaimer: This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the position and is not an exhaustive list of skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities, or working conditions associated with it. Responsibilities may evolve and change over time based on organizational needs, programmatic priorities, and/or reasonable accommodation. Safeguarding : Compassionate Carbon holds strict safeguarding principles and does not tolerate behaviors that harm others, including sexual exploitation, abuse, harassment, and other injustices. Employees are expected to abide by Safeguarding and Ethics policies. Candidate selection is based on technical competence, recruitment, selection, and hiring criteria, subject to a thorough background, police clearance, and reference check process. #J-18808-Ljbffr