Consultant as Business Development for Smallholder Empowerment Program (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 degree Celcius warming threshold, 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 Program

WRI 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.

To elevate community welfare, selected smallholder groups will receive support in formulating business plans as Fresh Fruit Bunch (FFB) dealers, chemical fertilizer distributors, or pioneers of organic fertilizer businesses to provide opportunities in increasing the smallholders income. Assistance will be provided to facilitate collaboration with financial institutions to secure seeding funds for business establishment. Recognizing the potential of alternative income sources, WRI Indonesia believes the importance to aid communities in crafting models for alternative livelihood businesses, such as regenerative agriculture products, non-timber forest products, and other forest-based commodities. Given the proximity of many smallholder oil palm plantations in Riau Province to natural forest ecosystems, adopting alternative livelihoods that explore productive commodities beyond palm oil is imperative.

Moreover, WRI Indonesia emphasizes the significance of women, youth, and other marginalized groups' involvement in enhancing community welfare, including in the palm oil sector. Acknowledging that fostering gender equality necessitates active community engagement, the program envisages conducting gender equality and equity training. This includes training on alternative livelihood development, extending beyond smallholders to encompass women, youth, and other marginalized groups in the communities.

Job Highlight

Business Development Consultant’s primary role is to develop and fostering the business of selected palm oil smallholder communities in Riau, Indonesia. In addition to facilitating existing business, the Business Development Consultant will play a crucial role in identifying and promoting alternative livelihood opportunities aimed at diversifying the income sources of smallholders.

This position will be based in Pekanbaru, Riau with office-flex working arrangement. While reporting directly to Smallholder Hub Project Lead, Business Development Officer expected to work collaboratively with relevant personnels within the project to ensure a successful outcome.

What You Will Do

Business Development  (80%)

• Develop a comprehensive work plan for smallholder project business plans aligned with the strategy outlined in the Project Implementation Plan.
• Identify and strategize business development in each smallholder group, encompassing both businesses related to increase palm oil production and non-palm oil product diversification.
• Prepare detailed modules covering aspects of business development, financial management, and alternative livelihoods.
• Conduct targeted training sessions on business development, financial management, and alternative livelihoods for smallholders.
• Establish specialized business units focused on increasing palm oil production, such as the fertilizer business in each selected smallholder groups.
• Provide guidance and facilitate smallholder groups in formulating fertilizer business plan.
• Assist smallholder groups in securing seeding funds to implement the fertilizer business.
• Identify the needs of training sessions on awareness of gender equality and social inclusion to the selected smallholder groups.
• Deliver training sessions for smallholders, women, youth, and other marginalized groups on financial management and alternative livelihood business development.
• Facilitate the establishment and development of alternative livelihood businesses by smallholders, women, youth, and other marginalized groups.
• Support the selected smallholder groups in implementing both fertilizer business and alternative livelihood initiatives.
• Monitor and evaluate the fertilizer business and business alternative livelihood initiatives carried out by the selected smallholder groups.
• Report regularly on the progress of the fertilizer business and livelihood alternatives to smallholder project lead.

Stakeholder Engagement (10%)

• Assist the District Coordinator in building and managing relationships with stakeholders in the district level.
• Coordinate and facilitate relevant coaching session for facilitators to establish business unit prior to the potential smallholder groups.
• Coordinate with other staff in Riau region to implement the fertilizer business development strategies and alternative livelihoods initiatives.

Data Analysis (10%)

• Organize and collect data to identify the business development potential of each smallholder group.
• Analyze the profiles of smallholder groups to gain insights into their potential for establishing a relevant business model.
• Conduct an in-depth study of the business model adopted by each smallholder group.

What You Will Need

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Business Development, Economy, Social, Agriculture, Forestry, Anthropology, or related fields;
• Minimum 5 years of professional experience on business development and livelihood, community-based small scale enterprise development
• Experience in facilitating and conducting training onfinancial management, marketing strategy,  or other related topic for palm-oil farmer groups, cooperation, or other farmer institution, and promotingyouth and gender empowerment
• Experience in develop business model for community and building partnerships with financial institutions in the context of microfinance;
• Experience in communication with provincial government official, private sector, financial institutions, bank and civil society organizations;
• Ability to track and monitor project implementation progress
• Strong inter-personal skills, adept at working with people from a variety of backgrounds;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills;
• Ability to travel when needed;
• Strong team player with ability to work across institutional departments/programs;
• Candidate must be self-motivated, detail-oriented, and organized thinker with a strong analytical skill and ability to juggle multiple priorities, handle assignments independently, and work under tight deadlines.
• Legally able to work in Indonesia;

Preferred Qualifications:

• Execution of planned activities are expected to be carried out timely and satisfactory with minor supervision;
• Business proficiency in English on both verbal and written communication

Deliverables

1. Conduct business potential assessments related to palm oil and non-palm oil for farmer groups that are members of the smallholder hub program
2. Create a business plan for each farmer group based on the results of the business potential assessment
3. Compile a business development module based on the business model that will be developed by at least 20 groups
4. Conduct training for at least 4,500 farmers consisting of material on business development and alternative livelihoods
5. Establish at least 5 business units related to increasing palm oil production / fertilizer business
6. Assistance to business units that have been formed until the institution is able to run its business
7. Report work progress every month to the line manager and make improvements if necessary
8. Regular reports every 3 months regarding work progress
9. Organize the lessons learned from activities in the blog

Duration

This position is expected to join 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 Payment

Daily rate-based consultant with maximum of 20 (twenty) days per month in average

Contract Arrangement

Individual consultancy contract (Part-time, limited term)

What we offer

• Consultant 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 network
• A workplace that strives to put diversity and inclusion at the heart of our work

Must 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.

How to apply: In order to be formally considered, please submit an updated resume and cover letter through WRI career portal. 

Application close: 1700 (DKI Jakarta local time), 17 May 2024. We will close the advert earlier when the best candidates are identified at earlier dates. 

This is a locally engaged position; Indonesian nationals are encouraged to apply.

About Us

Founded in 1982, World Resources Institute (WRI) is an independent, nonprofit global research organization that turns big ideas into action at the nexus of environment, economic opportunity, and human well-being. We are working to address seven critical challenges that the world must overcome this decade to secure a sustainable future for people and the planet: climate change, energy, food, forests, water, sustainable cities, and the ocean. WRI has a global staff of over 1,800 people with work spanning 60 countries. We have offices in Africa, Brazil, China, Europe, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Colombia and the United States, as well as a growing presence in other countries and regions.  

The foundation of our work is delivering high-quality research, data, maps, and analysis to solve the world’s greatest environment and international development challenges and improve people’s lives. We work with leaders in government, business, and civil society to drive ambitious action and create change on the ground. Equally important, we bring together partners to develop breakthrough ideas and scale-up solutions for far-reaching, enduring impact.

Our mission and values:

WRI’s mission is to move human society to live in ways that protect Earth’s environment and its capacity to provide for the needs and aspirations of current and future generations.

Our values are shared ideals that bind us together: Integrity, Innovation, Urgency, Independence, Respect. 

Our culture:

WRI is committed to advancing gender and social equity for human well-being in our mission and applies this principle to our organizational and programmatic practices. We are committed to providing equal opportunities in employment, we embrace all diversity and encourage women, gender diverse communities, persons with disabilities, Afro-descendants, and Indigenous people to apply. Recognizing our strong commitment to gender equality, WRI has also been awarded EDGE certification.

WRI Indonesia is national entity (Yayasan) associated with the World Resources Institute (WRI), a global environmental research organization that turns big ideas into action at the nexus of environment, economic opportunity, and human well-being. WRI work with various stakeholders in the natural resources sector to support policy and management that are both profitable and sustainable. WRI work with leaders in more than 50 countries for more than 30 years, with offices in Brazil, China, Europe, India, Indonesia, Mexico, and the United States.

Launched in early 2014, WRI Indonesia builds on WRI’s 10-year history in the country, and strengthens our impact on the ground. In the short-to-medium term, WRI Indonesia aims to expand its presence and portfolio to include projects in the climate, energy, as well as city and transportation programs.