Chief Operating Officer (COO) - Oil & Gas with Emission Reduction Focus
ICA-Finance
ICA-Finance is a Norwegian company specializing in generating emission reductions in Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia. With 15+ years of experience across 20+ countries, our goal is to take prompt climate action by delivering reliable emission reductions in developing nations.
We partner with National Oil Companies (NOCs) and independent oil producers to deliver scalable, rapidly achievable emission reductions. Our mission is “immediate climate action through the elimination of financial barriers” with a focus on methane- and flare reduction projects within emerging economies. ICA-Finance services span project identification and assessment, financing, and full-cycle implementation of carbon credit projects. This includes hands-on fieldwork, monitoring, reporting, verification (MRV), and stakeholder engagement across diverse geographies.
Our impact is over €107 million in carbon finance generated and more than 10 million tCO2e removed to date. That is equivalent to removing 2.3 million fossil fuel-powered cars from the road for a full year. Since 2023, we are VC-backed by Climate Investment, a specialist climate investor founded by the Oil and Gas Climate Initiative (OGCI).
Co-founded by the founder and first CEO of Equinor, we combine deep energy expertise with a commercial approach to methane and GHG reductions. We use carbon finance as a catalyst for scalable decarbonization in the Global South, prioritizing local presence, capacity building and trusted partnerships.
Role Summary
We are seeking a highly experienced and strategically minded Chief Operating Officer (COO) to lead and optimize our operations with a strong focus on climate and ESG-driven outcomes. The ideal candidate brings deep industry expertise and operational leadership in oil & gas, with a proven ability to execute carbon credit projects in complex international environments.
The COO is expected to travel extensively across Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia to support operations, partnerships, and project delivery (including Nigeria, Uzbekistan, Iraq, Turkmenistan etc.).
Key Responsibilities
- Lead end-to-end operations for carbon credit and emissions reduction projects, from planning to execution
- Oversee project assessment, financing, validation, MRV processes, and stakeholder communications
- Ensure regulatory compliance and alignment with global carbon credit standards
- Strengthen partnerships with NOCs and independent producers
- Drive operational excellence and efficiency across multiple geographic regions
- Develop and manage cross-functional teams with a focus on field execution and ESG goals
- Identify opportunities for innovation, scalability, and rapid implementation
- Engage with local and international stakeholders including regulatory bodies, technical partners, and community leaders
- Support strategic growth initiatives and regional expansion plans.
Qualifications
- Master’s degree in Engineering, Environmental Science, Energy, or a related field
- Valid work permit for Norway
- Minimum 10 years of relevant experience in oil & gas operations, with substantial work in Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia
- Proven track record in managing complex, cross-border ESG or carbon credit projects
- Deep understanding of emissions reduction technologies, MRV protocols, and carbon credit markets
- Strong leadership, decision-making, and stakeholder management skills
- Experience working with NOCs and independent oil producers
Preferred Qualities
- Strategic thinker with hands-on execution capability
- Strong intercultural communication and negotiation skills
- Ability to thrive in dynamic, field-based project environments
- Commitment to sustainable practices and measurable climate and ESG impact