AFOLU Carbon Project Developer (m/f/d) as Freelancer

Your responsibilities

We are seeking a Senior AFOLU Carbon Project Developer to join our dynamic team and lead the development of high-quality carbon projects in the Agriculture, Forestry, and Other Land Use (AFOLU) sector. This role focuses specifically on Improved Forest Management (IFM) and Afforestation, Reforestation, and Revegetation (ARR) projects, with a strong emphasis on enhancing project quality to achieve superior ratings from leading credit rating agencies.

The successful candidate will play a crucial role in strengthening our carbon project portfolio by working closely with credit rating agencies such as Sylvera , BeZero , and Calyx Global to ensure our projects meet the highest standards of environmental integrity and market acceptance. This position requires extensive experience in carbon project development, deep knowledge of international carbon standards, and proven expertise in project enhancement strategies.
This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to meaningful climate action while building a robust pipeline of high-quality carbon credits that deliver real environmental and social impact.

Your responsibilities will be:

• Lead the end-to-end development of AFOLU carbon projects , specifically IFM and ARR initiatives , from initial feasibility through to credit issuance
• Develop comprehensive Project Design Documents (PDDs) in accordance with V ERRA VCS, Gold Standard, and CAR methodologies
• Conduct thorough  feasibility studies , including carbon accounting, baseline development, and emission reduction estimates
• Manage  project timelines, budgets, and deliverables while ensuring  compliance with international carbon standards
• Manage partnerships with verification bodies, standards organizations, and credit rating agencies
• Coordinate with multidisciplinary teams including environmental scientists, GIS specialists, and social impact experts
• Stay current with developments  in carbon markets, rating agency methodologies, and regulatory frameworks

Your profile

• Minimum 5+ years of demonstrated experience in AFOLU carbon project development and a Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Forestry, Climate Science, Agriculture or a related field
• Proven track record in developing carbon projects under major international standards and in s trengthening carbon project portfolio by working closely with credit rating agencies 
• Knowledge of forest management practices ,  ecological restoration techniques , and agricultural  systems
• Strong  communication skills for engaging with diverse stakeholder groups an the  ability to manage complex multi-party partnerships in diverse geographic locations
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English , additional knowledge of Spanish would be an advantage

What we offer

• Collaboration in an international interdisciplinary and dynamic team
• Exciting field of work at the interface between business and climate protection
• A casual work environment with impact
• A comprehensive introduction to our team and processes while providing the space to develop your own solutions – new ideas are expressly welcome

OUR MISSION:

We let values GROW:

• we grow well financed, managed and monitored forests and ecosystems
• we grow long-term alliances with project stakeholders and clients
• we grow financial mechanisms and payment for ecosystem services to scale and improve projects
• we grow transparency and traceability through robust carbon standards, digital solutions, and earth observation technologie
• we grow the competency of our team by trainings, education and onboarding world leading experts.

We create positive impact on our CLIMATE:

• we partner with implementation organizations, international investors and development banks to develop the most robust climate projects
• we help industry clients to account and manage their greenhouse emissions
• we monitor, report and verify impact and results of performance indicators
• we create climate solutions that are based on scientific research
• we initiate transformation to fight climate change and to achieve carbon targets.

We take ACTION:

• we mobilize finance for ecosystem services and develop new integrated value chains together with local stakeholders
• we use nature to build robust and proven carbon sinks by applying internationally recognized carbon standards and methodologies
• we turn carbon reduction plans into concrete action, and projects
• we think new ways and combine proven nature-based solutions with innovative financial mechanisms and state-of-the-art technology
• we unlock new climate action project types and promote developing of new methodologies for carbon sinks.

About us

FORLIANCE initiates, finances, creates and manages robust nature- based climate projects and integrates them into sustain-ability strategies with our clients to achieve their Net Zero Carbon targets. Together with our global partners, and our 50+ team members in ten countries, we strive to create intact forests and ecosystems that positively impact our climate, biodiversity and human well-being. We offer companies effective solutions for climate protection by developing individual climate protection strategies.