Consultant - Financial Modeling & Commercial Strategy

Who We Are

At Trees for the Future (TREES), we believe farmers have the power to transform the world. For over 30 years, we’ve been a global leader in agroforestry training, partnering with farming families to build vibrant economies, sustainable food systems, and thriving ecosystems. Through our signature Forest Garden Approach—a proven nature-based solution—farmers restore their land, plant thousands of trees, and grow diverse crops, breaking cycles of climate change and generational poverty. By reclaiming their agency, farmers are creating new possibilities for their families, communities, and the environment. Active in Kenya, Mali, Senegal, Tanzania, and Uganda, TREES has planted over 350 million trees to date. Joining our passionate, collaborative team means empowering farmers to lead lasting change for people and the planet. 

The organization is on a dynamic growth trajectory due to investments made available by numerous donors and investors interested in the outcomes of TREES’ projects. This includes participation in the Voluntary Carbon Markets, and continued support from business partners, individuals and institutions. We expect this expansion to accelerate in 2025 with the potential over the next 5 years to double or even triple the organization’s annual revenue.

Consultancy Overview

TREES is seeking a consultant to lead the development of commercial proposals by building robust financial models and conducting strategic financial planning and analysis (FP&A). Financial models will support ongoing efforts to secure investment partnerships for TREES programs. Financial models will need to include a variety of funding and investment vehicles. These may include co-branded business partnerships, foundations, high net worth individuals, institutions and investors in the Voluntary Carbon Market. This role will provide leadership in structuring financial projections, developing investment proposals and term sheets and assisting in the negotiation with potential partners.

Core Objectives

• Develop a menu of clear, reliable financial models that reflect TREES’ business requirements and aligns with a new corporate strategy. Financial models should be easily amended for a variety of potential investors and donors with built-in flexibility for scenario analysis, evaluation of risk and profitability.
• To support the TREES financial model, develop a robust base model to quantify the minimum and preferred range of acceptable prices per Voluntary Carbon Unit produced under TREES agroforestry projects. This should identify the timing and needs of associated investments for production of credits. Based on current carbon market regulations, this should include a 40-year model and options for varying return rates for different actors: farmers, TREES, buyers and investors.
• Support the capacity development of TREES financial staff in FP&A modeling.
• Based on new models, advise and support TREES’ annual budgeting process and financial reporting

Activities

• Review TREES staff cost structures and revenue projections and understand our overall carbon project strategy and structure.
• Apply a basic understanding of the core financial elements of the Voluntary Carbon Market and investment revenue streams as they apply to TREES’ projects.
• Collaborate closely with TREES development, finance and program teams for suitable proposals and model modification as required
• Careful document work products to preserve version control and enable ready access on TREES systems for TREES staff.
• Advise and support with partner negotiations.
• Partner with the Director of Finance throughout to enhance our team’s FP&A capacity.

Engagement Requirements

• A high level of FP&A experience in the non-profit and/or commercial sector is required.
• Experience working with currency and other issues associated with Africa or similar investment markets is required.
• Experience undertaking investment analysis in the Voluntary Carbon Market will be a significant plus.

Engagement Duration

Expected duration of contract would start with an intensive knowledge and analysis period of up to three months for development of the models, with potential for additional engagement at a lower level following.

Location

This is a remote consultancy with a preference for con