Consultant as High Conservation Value and Social Impact Assessment Analyst (Pekanbaru based)

Program Overview WRI Indonesia is an independent research organization that turns big ideas into action at the nexus of environment, economic opportunity, and human well-being. At WRI Indonesia, we aim to bring innovations in research and business approaches in order to create the enabling conditions for Indonesia to achieve robust economic growth while respecting environmental and social values. We seek to contribute to the accomplishment of ambitious sustainable development goals through working with leaders in public and private sectors, as well as collaborating with civil society organizations, in turning big ideas into action.Within our Agriculture, Forest and Land Use (AFOLU) Program, we envision critical ecosystems such as forests and peatland across Indonesia to be governed fairly and sustainably. We believe sustainable land use management is key for Indonesia to meet its climate goal, in line with keeping the global climate target below the 1.5 degreeCelcius warming treshold, while providing sustainable livelihoods to forest-dependent communities and conserve biodiversity in the landscape. We intend to achieve this through safeguarding the remaining forest and peatland from deforestation, degradation, and fragmentation; maintaining forests and peatland quality through sound stewardship; and restoring degraded ecosystem to improve its productivity, conservation value, and ecosystem services.Smallholder Empowerment ProgramWRI Indonesia believes that empowering oil palm smallholders is key to producing sustainable palm oil in Indonesia. Empowered smallholders have the ability to control and manage their oil palm business properly and sustainably. With this capability, smallholders' welfare and the environment's quality are expected to improve. Therefore, increasing the inclusiveness of smallholders in sustainability and empowerment programs is indispensable to a better and greener palm oil supply chain in the country.Collaborating with a consumer goods company, WRI Indonesia aims to improve the sustainable palm oil supply chain and the welfare of smallholders in Riau Province. This is done through a series of capacity-building and empowerment. In 2023, we aim to increase the knowledge and skills of at least 4,000 smallholders to implement oil palm Best Management Practices (BMP) in order to improve their productivity.Job HighlightThe role of Palm Oil Smallholder HCV and SIA Analyst Consultant is integral to guaranteeing sustainable practices in palm oil production among smallholder farmers. The primary duty entails evaluating and addressing the environmental and social ramifications of palm oil cultivation, particularly within small-scale farming setups. Leveraging expertise in High Conservation Value (HCV) assessments and Social Impact Assessments (SIAs), the incumbent will contribute significantly to advancing responsible palm oil production, striking a balance between economic viability, environmental preservation, and community welfare.Key responsibilities encompass conducting thorough assessments, meticulously analyzing data, and formulating recommendations to ensure smallholder palm oil cultivation aligns with stringent conservation and social standards. Given the dynamic nature of projects, duties may vary, adapting to evolving sustainability priorities and organizational requirements within the palm oil sector. Overall, the consultant will assume a pivotal role in upholding sustainability principles, championing ethical practices, and driving positive change within the palm oil industry, thereby fostering long-term environmental resilience and social well-being.This position under direct supervision of the Smallholder Hub Project Lead and Riau and West Sumatera Program, the consultant will be working closely and collaboratively with project team to strategizing and implementing the HCV and SIA analysis result on the field and expected to build strong engagement palm oil smallholder communities, local government, local CSOs, and other stakeholders.The Job description is intended to outline the general nature and level of work expected. It is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required for the role. Responsibilities and tasks may evolve and change based on project requirements and organizational needs. This position will be based in Pekanbaru, Riau with high travel requirements to project areas within the province.What You Will DoResearch and Development (40%) Conduct on-site assessments of palm oil smallholder farms to identify High Conservation Value areas and potential social impacts.Conduct thorough on-site assessments of smallholder palm oil farms to identify areas of High Conservation Value (HCV), including biodiversity-rich habitats, critical ecosystems, and culturally significant sites.Gather comprehensive data on land use, biodiversity indicators, ecosystem services, community livelihoods, and socio-economic conditions within and surrounding smallholder farms.Utilize HCV and SIA methodologies to analyze the potential environmental and social impacts of palm oil cultivation on local ecosystems, wildlife populations, water resources, and community livelihoods. Analyze collected data to assess the potential impacts of palm oil production on biodiversity, ecosystem services, and local communities.Identify High Conservation Value areas within smallholder farms, such as critical habitats, endangered species habitats, and areas of high cultural significance.Implement Social Impact Assessments to evaluate the socio-economic impacts of palm oil cultivation on local communities, including aspects such as employment, income generation, and community well-being.Identify and assess risks associated with palm oil production, such as deforestation, habitat degradation, land tenure conflicts, and social inequities, and develop strategies to mitigate these risks. Prepare comprehensive reports detailing assessment findings, including HCV and SIA results, key findings, and recommendations for sustainable palm oil production practices.Provide recommendations to smallholder farmers, palm oil companies, and relevant stakeholders on action plans to smallholder farmers and relevant stakeholders for implementing sustainable land management practices, conservation measures, social development initiatives, strategies to mitigate negative impacts and enhance positive outcomes related to conservation and social aspects.Program Implementation (organizing community, mentoring, coaching, etc) (35%) Strategically coordinating HCV and SIA-related activities with the program team and other stakeholder to deliver a successful implementation and maximize impact. Support other smallholder empowerment program’s activity by working collaboratively in organizing the activity and provide necessary mentoring and/or coaching as required by each initiativesConduct training sessions and workshops for smallholder farmers to increase awareness of sustainable palm oil production practices and promote adoption of best management practices.Actively involved in preparing and organizing meetings, workshop, and/or focus group discussion and work alongside program team and partners to enable farmers and smallholders transitioning into sustainable business entities.Establish monitoring frameworks to track the implementation of recommended practices and assess their effectiveness in achieving sustainability objectives over time. Continuously evaluate and adapt strategies based on monitoring results and stakeholder feedback.Stakeholders Engagement (15%) Engage with smallholder farmers, local communities, NGOs, government agencies, and other stakeholders to gather information and ensure their involvement in the assessment process.Facilitate the identification of key stakeholders at the village, sub-district, and district level related to the smallholder empowerment program. Collaborate closely with smallholder farmers, community representatives, government agencies, NGOs, and industry stakeholders to ensure inclusive participation in the assessment process and gather diverse perspectives.Build and foster strong engagement with key stakeholders to gain meaningful support and create an enabling environment at the local level. Maintain strong collaborative effort with team member,external experts, communities, and local stakeholders.General Support (10%) Contributing to cross-output implementation support in Riau-West Sumatera. Provide other support as assignedWhat You Will NeedRequired Qualifications:Bachelor's degree in environmental science, Ecology, Agricultural Development, Social Sciences, or related field.Proven experience in conducting environmental or social impact assessments, preferably in the context of palm oil production or agribusiness.In-depth knowledge of High Conservation Value (HCV) assessments, Social Impact Assessments (SIA), and relevant sustainability frameworks and standards.Familiarity with relevant sustainability standards and certifications (., RSPO, ISPO).Strong analytical skills and ability to interpret complex data sets, with attention to detail and accuracy.Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders and facilitate participatory decision-making processes.Project management experience, including planning, implementation, and monitoring of field-based initiatives.Commitment to ethical principles, social justice, and environmental stewardship in agricultural development.Proficiency in report writing and presentation skills.Fluency in written and spoken English; proficiency in additional languages relevant to palm oil-producing regions is advantageous.Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks simultaneously.Willingness to travel frequently to rural areas and work in challenging field conditions. Detail-oriented, logical thinker with an ability to multi-task and work well under pressure. Legally able to work in IndonesiaPreferred Qualifications:Master’s degree in related fieldWorking experience in oil palm agronomy Professionals with interdisciplinary background that encompass both environment and social scienceKnowledge and experience on geospatial and remote sensingDeliverables Assessment High Conservation Value (HCV) and Social Impact Assessment (SIA) Plan Conduct HCV and SIA training for at least 4000 farmersEnsure that HCV and SIA implementation is carried out in accordance with standards in 20 Broup FarmersMonitoring HCV and SIA at Group Farmers 20 Group Farmers Prepare HCV and SIA reports for Audit purposes in 20 Group Farmers. Report and share Learning Lesson from ActivitiesDurationThis position is expected to be joined immediately with initial contract period up to 31 December 2024 with possibility of extension subject to performance evaluation, project needs, and budget availability.Terms of PaymentDaily rate-based consultant with maximum of 20 (twenty) days per month in averageContract Arrangement Individual consultancy contract (Part-time, limited term)What we offerConsultant rate that is commensurate with experience and skills Travel insurance for both domestic and international for any travel duty as assigned by WRI Indonesia Access to the WRI global networkA workplace that strives to put diversity and inclusion at the heart of our workMust have authorization to work in Indonesia to be eligible for this position.Final candidates might be required to take a writing test and to produce two writing samples when needed.