About Melanin Kapital

Melanin Kapital Neobank is a fintech driving access to finance for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that power Africa’s green and inclusive growth. We combine digital tools, credit analytics, and sustainability-linked financing to make funding faster, fairer, and more impactful for African entrepreneurs.

We are building a portfolio that connects financial inclusion with climate action. Our credit team sits at the heart of this mission, ensuring every facility is sound, compliant, and impactful. As Melanin Kapital scales its portfolio of green and inclusive SMEs across Africa, we’re looking for a Head of Carbon Finance to lead our Carbon & Credit Team.

The Role in a nutshell

We are seeking a Head of Carbon Finance to lead Melanin Kapital’s green financing and carbon-backed lending operations.

This is a senior leadership role responsible for designing and executing our carbon finance strategy, overseeing the credit team’s origination and underwriting processes, and ensuring high-quality loan structuring and portfolio growth. The role will also manage strategic relationships with offtakers, climate finance partners, and key enterprise clients.

You will play a central role in ensuring that carbon-backed facilities are commercially sound, creditworthy, and aligned with the standards required for credible carbon monetization.

Key Responsibilities

1. Carbon Finance Strategy & Product Leadership

• Lead the development and implementation of Melanin Kapital’s carbon-backed loan products and broader green financing strategy.
• Design financing structures that integrate carbon revenue streams into credit assessment and repayment models.
• Identify climate finance opportunities across renewable energy, clean cooking, agroforestry, nature-based solutions, and sustainable supply chains.
• Collaborate with the CEO and leadership team to define portfolio targets, product roadmap, and growth strategy.

2. Credit Team Leadership & Green Financing Execution

• Lead and supervise the green financing / credit team (Credit Officers, Portfolio Associates, and Analysts).
• Oversee the preparation of credit memos, underwriting notes, and investment proposals prepared by officers.
• Ensure quality, rigor, and consistency of credit documentation and client assessments.
• Present credit recommendations to internal committees and provide clear justification for approval decisions.
• Ensure credit decisions align with risk frameworks, impact objectives, and regulatory compliance.

3. Client Relationship Management

• Lead key client relationships for high-value carbon-backed and green financing transactions.
• Support negotiation and structuring of loan terms with enterprise clients and project developers.
• Work closely with clients to assess project readiness for carbon monetization and sustainable finance eligibility.
• Provide guidance to clients on reporting requirements and carbon-linked performance indicators.

4. Offtaker & Partner Coordination

• Lead strategic engagement and relationship management with offtakers, aggregators, and climate finance partners.
• Coordinate commercial discussions on carbon forward contracts, revenue-sharing agreements, and carbon-linked repayment mechanisms.
• Serve as a key point of contact between Melanin Kapital, technical partners, auditors, and MRV providers.

5. Governance, Committee Reporting & Portfolio Performance

• Manage pipeline reporting, portfolio monitoring, and performance reviews for green lending products.
• Ensure timely reporting to management, investors, and partners on carbon finance portfolio performance.
• Support ongoing improvement of credit processes, workflow automation, and decision-making tools.
• Work closely with risk and compliance teams to ensure portfolio integrity and adherence to lending standards.

You’re a Great Fit If You Have

• 5–10 years of experience in credit, project finance, climate finance, structured finance, or sustainable lending.
• Strong leadership experience managing teams and driving execution.
• Proven experience structuring financing solutions for SMEs, enterprises, or climate-aligned projects.
• Strong knowledge of carbon markets, carbon monetization models, or climate finance mechanisms (preferred).
• Experience engaging carbon offtakers, climate investors, donors, or development finance institutions is a strong advantage.
• Strong financial modeling, credit analysis, and transaction structuring skills.
• Ability to communicate clearly and confidently with committees, partners, and senior stakeholders.
• Passion for green growth, innovation, and impact-driven finance in Africa.
• English language is required. Swahili, Portuguese and/or French are a plus.

Why Join Us

At Melanin Kapital Neobank, you’ll work with a small, driven team using finance as a tool for environmental and social change. We move fast, think boldly, and value people who take ownership and grow with the business. This role offers hands-on exposure to sustainable finance, credit operations, and portfolio management across Africa.

How to Apply

Please send your CV highlighting your relevant experience to melanie.keita@melaninkapital.com with the subject line: “Application – Carbon Finance.”

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.