Head of Carbon Finance

ABOUT NEXUS FOR DEVELOPMENT

Founded in 2009, Nexus for Development (Nexus) is an international, not-for-profit organization registered in Singapore with an operational team in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Our mission is to drive access to finance in developing economies across Southeast Asia to scale local implementers that increase sustainable energy and water resource development and advance climate positive solutions.

Leveraging our experience with carbon finance, we have evolved over the last decade to identify market gaps and develop appropriate services and solutions. The impetus that drives these initiatives is our commitment to providing useful, affordable and fair carbon and financial products and services.

We are a small team of professionals with diverse backgrounds in finance, engineering, credit analysis, international development, corporate partnerships, marketing, and operations working together to deliver solutions, create value and achieve our mission.

Specifically, our work focuses on the following areas:

• Financing facilities for social enterprises delivering clean energy, water and waste solutions
• Technical assistance for carbon credit certification
• Carbon credit sales and the structuring of innovative project financing solutions

For more information, visit https://nexusfordevelopment.org/

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Nexus seeks a dynamic and driven Head of Carbon Finance to lead our carbon finance services, leveraging strategies to accelerate low-carbon project development while ensuring alignment with Nexus’ mission. Opportunities and focus areas must balance the opportunity for greatest community benefits with sound financial project performance.

The post-holder will work closely with the Executive Director to oversee the sourcing, prioritization, onboarding, monitoring, carbon credit issuance, and overall execution of all new and existing carbon finance projects, in collaboration with the Carbon Finance Project / Technical Services Managers. The post-holder will negotiate and execute the sales of carbon voluntary emission reduction (VERs) credits to prospective buyers in spot and forward transactions. The Head of Carbon Finance is responsible for the entire deal cycle including the output created by various team members. Oversight includes: 1) all project financial modelling, 2) sourcing and origination documentation, 3) due diligence, 4) support on creation/modification of project documentation and partner negotiations, 5) contracting and sales, and 6) ongoing portfolio monitoring activities.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

STRATEGIC PLANNING

• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to refine and enhance Nexus’ long-term strategic plan for all carbon project initiatives
• Drive strategic planning of both new and existing carbon projects, developing a multi-year strategy and business plan
• Evaluate integrative financing models to balance new carbon projects’ required upfront funding with the long-term sale of the corresponding issuances of carbon credits
• Support the Finance and Carbon Finance teams on estimating costs, timelines, and capacity for new and existing project development
• Monitor key market developments and industry trends, with a constant eye towards iterating the carbon business model to ensure maximum impact and balance with the market

NEW PROJECT DEVELOPMENT

• Maintain an active pulse on the carbon market in Southeast Asia and beyond; build deep relationships with industry leaders to position Nexus as the go-to carbon finance partner in Southeast Asia
• Build an enhanced marketing narrative to leverage Nexus’ unique market position and historic successes, in coordination with Communications Manager, to enable prolonged and sustainable growth
• Conduct interviews and screening analyses of potential projects to identify basic eligibility for carbon certification, potential methodologies, estimated emission reductions, and estimated team capacity required for development
• Oversee Technical Services project prioritization – review/ approve all new proposal-drafting for potential consulting opportunities and development of new carbon projects
• Launch 3-4 new carbon finance projects per year

CARBON CREDIT SALES STRATEGY AND EXECUTION

• Relationship Management Oversight – Support Carbon Finance Project Managers in relationship management with Nexus’ project partners, including providing feedback of ongoing VER sales and investor relations
• Grow Buyer Roster – Grow a portfolio of qualified buyers to sell emission reduction credits (VERs) generated from new and existing carbon projects
• Buyer Qualification – Develop a framework to evaluate and qualify potential buyers, balancing relationship complexity with ease of contracting and mission alignment
• Track market pricing dynamics, in both spot and futures markets, to ensure value maximization for project stakeholders; negotiate, contract and execute deals on VER sales
• Manage co-benefits information and impact data collection on projects, i.e., social return on investment and SDG impacts.

TEAM MANAGEMENT AND CULTURE BUILDING

• Lead, counsel, train, and advocate for existing team of carbon finance employees and consultants; create a best-in-class and desirable work environment
• Oversee recruitment of new full-time and consulting staff, as necessary, to scale the team to successfully execute against our contracted workload
• Bring positive energy to the office and support team members in their ongoing professional development

KEY REQUIREMENTS

Competitive candidates will have:

• Extensive practical experience leading a team and developing an organization or business unit in carbon finance, renewable energy, climate change mitigation, technology, environmental finance, and/or related sector(s)
• Broad experience in business strategy, business development, marketing, transaction structuring, financial management, negotiation, and human resource management
• Financial modelling skills and strong command of MS Excel – able to build, review and stress-test models, and understand key results
• Experience with long-term project management, budgeting, negotiating legal contracts
• Skilled at recruiting, developing, leading and managing individuals and small multicultural teams with an ability to foster a positive environment
• A skilled communicator with the ability to communicate effectively with the team and Board, as well as with partners and investors; excellent spoken and written English required
• Leadership experience within an NGO, social enterprise, or start-up culture is strongly favored; experience working in Cambodia and/or Southeast Asia is a plus

THE OPPORTUNITY OFFERS

• Flexible work environment
• 40 days of annual leave including public holidays
• Training allowance
• Annual flight home provided for international staff after each year of work
• Visa, work Group Person Accident insurance, health insurance, pension fund scheme, and travel insurance provided

POSITION SUMMARY

Role Title:

Head of Carbon Finance

Location: Phnom Penh, Cambodia; Regional travel expected

Reporting to: Executive Director

Direct reports: Technical Services Managers, Carbon Finance Project Manager

Term: Unspecified duration contract under Cambodian law. Minimum commitment of two years requested.

Remuneration Package: Negotiable

Start Date: ASAP