Programme Directors

C4 EcoSolutions (Pty) Ltd. (C4) is currently seeking two Programme Directors to join our Implementation team. Our team work closely with a range of international entities, national governments and local communities to co-develop innovative solutions that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and strengthen climate resilience. The Programme Director will play a central role in leading the full design, establishment and implementation of two Carbon Projects; one located in Africa and the other in Southern Africa. The role focuses on building large-scale operations from the ground up, including developing systems, mobilising field teams and ensuring all activities meet VCS and CCB standards. It centres on restoring degraded catchments through extensive planting and sustainable land-use interventions, supported by the coordination of a multidisciplinary workforce across multiple sites.To learn more about us please visit www.c4es.co.za.ABOUT THE COMPANYC4 EcoSolutions (C4ES) is a specialist climate consultancy with a global reputation for designing and delivering impactful adaptation and mitigation projects. Since 2006, we have delivered more than 400 climate-focused initiatives across over 115 countries in Africa, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Our clients include the UN Environment Programme, UNDP, IFC, IFAD, GIZ, FAO, Conservation International, UNICEF, and a wide range of national governments and development banks. In 2025, C4ES became part of the TAG International Group —-a strategic move that broadened our reach and enhanced our ability to deliver integrated climate, security, governance, and development solutions in fragile and complex environments. As part of this group, we remain a mission-led and technically grounded organisation, delivering innovative, sustainable solutions for the climate and development challenges of today and tomorrow. ABOUT THE ROLEThe Programme Directors will lead the design, establishment and delivery of C4’s carbon Projects in Africa or South Africa. This senior role involves developing operational systems and teams from inception, mobilising large-scale field delivery and ensuring compliance with VCS and CCB standards. The project involves the restoration and management of degraded catchments through large-scale planting and sustainable land-use interventions. The Programme Director will oversee the mobilisation of a multidisciplinary workforce across several project sites, manage budgets exceeding USD 10 million and ensure scalable, efficient operations from start-up to full delivery. This position demands an experienced leader who has successfully built large-scale agricultural, forestry or environmental operations from scratch. It requires strong financial acumen, team leadership, and the ability to structure and grow complex delivery systems in dynamic field conditions.ABOUT YOUYou are an highly experienced operations and delivery leader with a background in large-scale agricultural, forestry or land restoration operations. You have built and managed projects from inception to maturity, including infrastructure establishment, workforce mobilisation, logistics and cost control. You are comfortable operating in diverse rural landscapes, engaging communities and contractors and establishing systems that integrate technical, financial, and operational functions. You thrive in complex environments, bring structure to uncertainty and have a track record of delivering measurable results at scale.KEY RESPONSIBILITIESStrategic implementation oversightLead design, mobilisation and scale-up of one of the two carbon projects from start-up phase through to full operational delivery.Translate technical feasibility studies and carbon methodology requirements into phased implementation plans with costed workplans and delivery schedules.Oversee large-scale reforestation, agroforestry and sustainable land management interventions across multiple sites.Ensure delivery aligns with VCS and CCB standards and remains audit-ready throughout.Manage a programme budget exceeding USD 10 million, ensuring efficient use of funds and sustainable cost structures.Team management and leadershipRecruit, structure and lead a multidisciplinary delivery team including operations managers, field supervisors, nursery leads, logistics and community engagement staff.Build operational systems, reporting lines and performance management frameworks suited to a start-up environment.Foster a delivery-oriented culture based on accountability, problem-solving and teamwork.Client, partner and stakeholder engagementServe as C4’s operational lead for engagement with government entities, local authorities, landowners and community organisations.Negotiate and manage delivery contracts, partnership agreements and community implementation arrangements.Systems, tools and process developmentDevelop operational systems, Company Operating Procedures (COPs), and dashboards for logistics, planting, maintenance, procurement and data management.Integrate MRV and GIS tools for monitoring and reporting field activities.Establish nurseries, field bases and infrastructure required for efficient large-scale operations.Financial and operational controlOversee full budget management, procurement and financial forecasting.Design cost-control and resource allocation systems to ensure scalable, efficient operations.Coordinate procurement, logistics and asset mobilisation for planting seasons.Risk management and complianceMaintain an operational risk register and lead mitigation strategies across all delivery sites.Ensure full compliance with environmental, safety and labour regulations.Implement grievance and incident management systems in line with C4 policies.The responsibilities outlined above reflect the core duties of this role and may be change from time to time in response to the evolving needs and priorities of the organisation. Flexibility and a willingness to contribute beyond defined responsibilities are essential.REQUIREMENTSMaster’s degree (or equivalent) in Environmental Science, Agriculture, Forestry or a related field.Minimum 10 years’ experience in large-scale project or operations management, including at least 5 years in a senior leadership role.Proven record of establishing and scaling new operations (e.g. plantation forestry, fruit farming or large-scale restoration).Experience managing complex budgets exceeding USD 10 million.Strong understanding of operational systems, logistics, infrastructure and workforce mobilisation.Experience leading large, diverse field teams and working in remote rural contexts.Familiarity with carbon project implementation (VCS/CCB) or sustainable land-use programmes.Exceptional leadership, communication and problem-solving skills.Experience working across the project lifecycle — from feasibility to scale-up — and embedding risk management and quality assurance into all delivery phases.Ability to collaborate with technical, finance, legal and business development teams to ensure proposals and delivery models are operationally feasible and field-ready.Excellent communication, problem-solving and leadership skills, with the ability to operate strategically while managing details under pressure.For one of the projects, fluency in Portuguese is a requirement.APPLICATION PROCESSTo apply, please send your CV and a brief cover letter to tammy.mcdonnell@c4es.co.zaApplications will remain open until a suitable candidate has been found. C4 reserves the right not to fill a position or to withdraw an opening at any time. If you have not received any communication from us within 14 days, kindly consider your application as unsuccessful.