Project Pipeline Manager_CAFI

Job description

Catalytic’s mission is to accelerate the design and deployment of catalytic finance solutions for sustainable infrastructure.

We identify and develop robust project pipelines and deploy technical assistance to support infrastructure projects to become more investible and impactful.

Catalytic seeks to ensure positive social and environmental outcomes in addition to financial returns for impact investors, applying credible methodologies for the measurement and evaluation of impacts.

In addition, Catalytic incubates and structures blended-finance funds aiming at scaling up and speeding up the implementation of urban infrastructure projects with positive climate impacts.

Catalytic is seeking a Project Pipeline Manager for its new technical assistance programme, the Central Africa Forest Initiative (CAFI).

On the basis that slowing down the loss of forests and trees in Central Africa can only be attained through substantially scaled-up international support to transformational reforms and ambitious investments on the ground, CAFI was established in 2015 at the margins of the United Nations General Assembly has a partnership initiative that gathers the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Bank, six Central African partner countries and a coalition of donors.

Its aim is to support governments in the region to implement reforms and enhance investments to halt drivers of tropical deforestation.

Focusing on Central African high-forest cover countries, the Initiative supports country-level efforts for reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation and the role of conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks (REDD+) and low emission development investments to mitigate climate change and reduce poverty.
Catalytic has been mandated by CAFI for the purpose of its aim to support and scale up low emission development investments to mitigate climate change and reduce poverty.

To this end, Catalytic’s mission is to identify and build a robust pipeline of local projects which will lead to low-emission economic development, reduction of deforestation, and conservation of forest.

These projects will be supported by Catalytic with technical assistance as well as catalytic, early-stage investment.

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer and working closely with other team members and Catalytic’s partners, the Project Pipeline Manager of CAFI will manage and conduct all project pipeline related activities within the framework of CAFI.

These include project sourcing, evaluation, selection and scoping for Technical Assistance, and evaluation of projects after the provision of TA for handing them over for investment consideration.

Building partnerships with investors, other development partners in the region, and the coalition partners of CAFI, will be an important part of the Pipeline Manager’s responsibility.

Role & Responsibilities:

Map key stakeholders in the region for the mandate, including: financing partners from the public and philanthropic sectors, political partners, and so on.
Map out risks and opportunities for the mandate
Source quality projects that fit into the scope of CAFI
Conduct pre-feasibility assessment of projects that have passed eligibility screening, which result in the selection of priority projects for receiving TA and scoping of TA
Oversee the commissioned pre-feasibility studies and feasibility studies, evaluate projects post TA for their impacts and investibility and hand over selected projects to the investment manager or to other investors.
Working closely with the investment manager on project evaluation, selection for Technical Assistance and/or investment assessment, and when needed, assist the investment manager in due diligence.
Oversee the flow of projects in the pipeline of CAFI, manage and continuously improve the TA pipeline processes from sourcing projects to handing prepared
projects to the investment manager.
Provide numbers, results, and deliverables for Communication, Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting

Profile:

Minimum 5 years of experience in a similar function, either with investment funds, international organisations, or NGOs; experience with similar financing funds with pipeline building for climate actions and achieving other SDGs
Knowledge and working experience in projects aiming directly or indirectly at deforestation
Experience working in or with the Central African region
A good understanding of business development and financial models for SMEs or infrastructure projects
Deal sourcing experience and network in the region are a strong asset.
Experience working with stakeholders in the space of impact, blended-finance investment for climate targets would be a plus
Experience with international standards, such as IFC Performance Standards, Gold Standard, IRIS+, and carbon credits would be a plus
Soft skills and making good judgement with a large volume of projects within a limited time are some of the essential qualities required in this role
Passionate about climate mitigation and adaptation, biodiversity, reducing deforestation with a strong commitment towards a more sustainable world
Team player, flexible and experienced in working in a multicultural environment
Taking initiatives and thinking out of the box to find solutions to challenges are needed on a daily basis.
Strong skills with Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint
Proficient English and French level in writing and speaking.
Excellent writing, drafting and editing skills
Minimum Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in environmental science, finance, economics, or international relations