Emerging Markets Consultant

The Association of Consulting Foresters of America, Inc. (ACF) is seeking proposals from qualified individuals or firms to serve as Emerging Markets Consultant in support of ACF’s Emerging Market Access for Small-Acreage and Underserved Landowners Initiative. This initiative is funded through a five-year, $1,000,000 federal domestic grant under the USDA Forest Service Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Forest Landowner Support and seeks to enhance consulting foresters’ expertise in emerging forest markets, ensuring that small and underserved forest landowners can equitably participate in new opportunities that support climate mitigation and forest resilience.

The selected Consultant will:

1. Market Analysis & Monitoring
   1. Track and analyze trends, crediting systems, and policy developments in emerging forest markets.
   2. Provide regular written updates and briefings to ACF’s Emerging Markets Grant Steering Committee.
2. Representation & Engagement
   1. Serve as ACF’s representative in conversations with market developers, NGOs, agencies, and other stakeholders.
   2. Advocate for frameworks that reflect ACF’s ethical standards and ensure that consulting foresters and their relationships with current and prospective clients are considered in conversations.
3. Training & Education Support
   1. Advise on curriculum design for ACF trainings, webinars, and conference sessions on emerging markets.
   2. Present on or recruit and manage speakers to present on emerging market topics during ACF’s National, Regional, and Virtual Conferences.
4. Collaboration & Partnerships
   1. Work with ACF’s Emerging Markets Steering Committee and Advisory Council.
   2. Coordinate with partners such as state forestry agencies, conservation organizations, and private-sector innovators.
5. Evaluation & Reporting
   1. Contribute to monitoring and evaluation efforts, including member feedback and landowner impact assessments.
   2. Provide documentation needed for grant reporting.

Learn more in the attached RFP.