Project Analyst - Forest and Carbon Expert

Project Analyst - Forest and Carbon Expert

First Climate

Hamburg or Bad Vilbel, Germany

Key Responsibilities Include

Commercial Structuring & Project Development

• Lead the commercial structuring of nature-based carbon projects (ARR, ALM, REDD+, blue carbon, agroforestry, etc.) from early-stage development to credit issuance;
• Translate technical project designs into bankable business and financial models;
• Coordinate with project implementers to define cost structures, revenue streams, and financial projections;
• Ensure all project structures align with commercial best practices.

Carbon Transactions & Contracting

• Structure, negotiate, and execute ERPAs, pre-purchase agreements, and carbon streaming or offtake contracts with developers, investors, and corporate buyers;
• Develop and refine risk allocation frameworks for non-standardized agreements and oversee commercial due diligence.

Financial Modeling & Investment Case Building

• Build and maintain advanced financial models to assess the commercial viability and investment potential of nature-based projects;
• Conduct sensitivity and scenario analyses on pricing, volume, and policy factors;
• Prepare investment memos and internal presentations to support financing and board approvals.

Bridging Capital Supply and Project Demand

• Act as a key interface between project developers and capital providers, aligning project financing needs with investor and buyer requirements;
• Identify and connect institutional investors, funds, and corporates seeking high-integrity nature-based projects with the First Climate's development pipeline;
• Contribute to innovative financing mechanisms to de-risk early-stage projects and unlock scalable funding across markets.

Specific Requirements

• Deep understanding of nature-based carbon projects and their commercial dynamics, opportunities, and risks, including ARR, ALM, REDD+, blue carbon, and agroforestry systems;
• Proven track record in structuring and financing nature-based carbon projects in collaboration with project implementers, including detailed financial planning, budgeting, and revenue modelling;
• Demonstrated ability to structure and negotiate ERPAs and other carbon credit transactions, including pre-purchase, streaming, and offtake agreements;
• Strong financial modeling skills, capable of adapting to non-standardized project and client contract structures and evaluating risk–return profiles;
• Solid ability to develop and assess investment cases for carbon projects, translating technical and operational inputs into bankable financial analyses;
• Good knowledge of legal and commercial frameworks related to carbon project finance and investment structuring;
• Experience negotiating and managing relationships with project developers, investors, and corporate buyers across different markets;
• Exposure to emerging markets and comfort working in multi-stakeholder environments that combine commercial, technical, and social dimensions;
• Fluency in English (spoken and written); additional languages (e.g. German, Spanish, Chinese) are considered an asset.