Job Description

Project Manager – Carbon Removal Pilot (Enhanced Rock Weathering, Agriculture & Logistics)

Department: Carbon

Employment Type: Fixed Term Contract

Location: South Africa

Reporting To: Project Leadership

Allied Talent Partners (ATP), a Three Cairns Group initiative, is a mission-driven, not-for-profit talent marketplace focused on solving the human capital bottlenecks slowing down sustainable development efforts in emerging economies, with an initial focus on Africa. ATP connects vetted, experienced, context-relevant professionals to high-impact opportunities in energy access and sustainable development – strengthening local capacity and fuelling economic vitality. We specialize in fixed-term, deliverable-driven engagements – from interim leadership and generalist projects to niche technical expertise – handling project scoping, talent vetting and matching, contracting, payroll, and compliance so that our clients can focus on impact.

High-Level Overview

The client is seeking a Project Manager to oversee the end-to-end delivery of a pioneering Enhanced Rock Weathering (ERW) carbon removal pilot project in KwaZulu-Natal. This role will be responsible for coordinating complex logistics, managing farmer and contractor engagement, and ensuring alignment with scientific monitoring and carbon credit verification requirements. The pilot is approximately 50% operationally defined, with broad objectives and high-level activities in place, requiring further development of execution processes and workflows. The ideal candidate will bring strong experience in agricultural or bulk logistics environments, coupled with the ability to operate effectively in ambiguous, first-of-its-kind project settings and drive operational execution across multiple stakeholders.

Role and Responsibilities

Role: Project Manager
Direct Report: Project Leadership
Candidates Required: 1

Key Deliverables:

• Pilot set-up
  • Translate high-level pilot objectives into detailed execution plans and activity sequencing
  • Define and refine operational processes and workflows for pilot execution
• Farmer Engagement & Carbon Project Participation
  • Identify and engage farmers interested in participating in the project
  • Conduct farm assessments for suitability including soil, access, and crop systems
  • Negotiate and execute participation agreements
  • Provide education on ERW benefits for climate and agriculture
  • Maintain ongoing relationships with participating farmers
• Contractor Coordination & Processing Management
  • Coordinate with crushing contractors for slag processing
  • Manage scheduling and logistics for slag collection
  • Oversee quality control of processed material
  • Coordinate transportation from processing to application sites
  • Liaise with spreading contractors and ensure logistics tracking
• Science Team & Carbon Credit Coordination
  • Coordinate with science teams to implement monitoring protocols
  • Liaise with carbon credit partners for verification compliance
  • Collect and maintain data required for verification
  • Ensure all activities are documented to required standards
  • Align scientific activities with operational execution
• Data Management & Project Reporting
  • Maintain records of slag quantities, locations, and application timing
  • Ensure all data meets carbon credit verification standards
  • Track project budget, monitor costs, and ensure financial discipline
  • Provide regular reporting to leadership and partners
  • Coordinate data sharing across stakeholders
    • Support documentation for carbon credit issuance
• Project Development & Optimization
  • Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency
  • Support evaluation of pilot outcomes
  • Contribute to development of standard operating procedures
  • Provide insights to support future scaling

Requirements

Experience Required:

• 5–7 years project management experience in complex logistical operations
• Experience in agricultural sector including farmer engagement and soil management
• Background in mining, bulk materials handling, or agricultural supply chains
• Experience operating in ambiguous or first-of-its-kind project environments
• Proven stakeholder management across contractors, technical teams, and partners

Technical Requirements:

• Knowledge of agricultural systems and seasonal planning cycles
• Understanding of logistics coordination and supply chain management
• Familiarity with data tracking and reporting for compliance-driven projects
• Exposure to environmental monitoring or carbon credit systems
• Proficiency in digital tools for project coordination and data management

Other Skills:

• Strong problem-solving and adaptive thinking capabilities
• Excellent stakeholder communication and relationship management
• High attention to detail in data management and reporting
• Ability to operate effectively in uncertain and evolving environments
• Cultural sensitivity and ability to engage local farming communities

Desired Profile Information
The ideal candidate will have strong local networks in KwaZulu-Natal, particularly in the Newcastle region, and demonstrate a pioneering mindset suited to emerging climate technology projects. Experience in liming, slag handling, or early-stage project environments is highly advantageous. A project management certification is beneficial but not mandatory.

Working Arrangement
Location: Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Travel: Periodic travel to project sites in and around Newcastle as required for farmer engagement, logistics coordination, and project implementation

Terms of agreement:
Start Date: May 2026
Contracting Period: 6 months