FSA Certification Consultant – aGROWforests Programme (Indonesia)

We are looking for an FSA Certification Consultant to guide the aGROWforests programme through the Farm Sustainability Assessment (FSA) verification process, ensuring our pepper farmers meet global sustainability standards and access premium markets.

About the role

Market access for sustainable spices increasingly requires verified proof of sustainability. The aGROWforests for Sustainable Spices project is committed to benchmarking its farmers against global standards.

The purpose of this consultancy is to lead the preparation and verification process for the Farm Sustainability Assessment (FSA) by the SAI Platform. The Consultant will conduct gap analyses, train field staff, and manage the verification process to ensure participating pepper farmers achieve the targeted FSA performance level (Silver/Gold).

Project background

The aGROWforests for Sustainable Spices project is a partnership aimed at creating a sustainable, bio-diverse, and climate-resilient spice sector. The project targets 2,300 farmers in Bangka Belitung and Lampung to increase productivity and income through climate-smart agriculture (CSA) and agroforestry.

By the end of 2025, over 1,300 farmers have been trained. To validate these improvements and secure long-term buyer contracts, the project aims to verify a significant portion of its farmer base against the FSA standard, a globally recognized tool for sustainable sourcing.

Scope of work

The Consultant will work closely with the MUTN Manager and Field Coordinators. The scope includes:

1. Gap Analysis & Baseline Assessment

• Conduct a comprehensive gap analysis of the current farmer practices against the FSA Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ).
• Identify critical non-compliances and systemic gaps in the project's Internal Management System (IMS).
• Develop a corrective action plan to bridge the gap between current practices and FSA Silver/Gold requirements.

2. Capacity Building & Implementation Support

• Develop training materials on FSA requirements tailored to smallholder pepper farmers and field facilitators.
• Conduct "Train the Trainer" (ToT) sessions for Spice Hub Managers and field staff on compliance monitoring and data collection.
• Provide technical guidance on implementing necessary changes on the ground (e.g., chemical storage, record keeping, biodiversity protection).

3. Verification Management

• Oversee the data collection and aggregation process for the FSA SAQ.
• Liaise with the external auditing body to schedule and facilitate the verification audit.
• Support the project team during the audit process and assist in closing any non-conformities raised by the auditor.

Expected deliverables

• Gap Analysis Report: Detailed report highlighting compliance gaps and recommended actions.
• Training Modules: Simplified FSA guidelines and training decks for farmers/staff.
• Completed FSA SAQ: Aggregated and validated Self-Assessment Questionnaire ready for verification.
• Audit Readiness Review: A pre-audit assessment confirming the project is ready for external verification.
• Final Verification Report Support: Assistance in achieving the FSA Letter of Attestation.

Target audience / main users

• Farmers: Who need to understand and apply the standards.
• Field Staff: Who need to monitor compliance daily.
• Buyers: Who require the FSA attestation for their procurement requirements.

Required profile

• Experience: Minimum 5–8 years in agricultural certification (FSA, Rainforest Alliance, GlobalGAP, or Organic).
• FSA Expertise: Specific experience with the SAI Platform's Farm Sustainability Assessment (FSA) is highly preferred.
• Auditing Skills: Experience as an internal or external auditor for agricultural standards.
• Smallholder Context: Proven track record of implementing standards with smallholder farmers in Indonesia.
• Training Skills: Ability to simplify complex compliance language into practical field instructions.
• Languages: Fluency in Bahasa Indonesia (essential for field interaction) and English (for reporting).

Proposal submission

Interested consultants (individuals or organizations) are invited to submit:

• Technical Proposal: Outlining the roadmap to FSA verification and methodology.
• Financial Proposal: Including daily rate/fees and estimated days.
• CV/Profile: Highlighting relevant certification experience.

Selection criteria

The team will select the consultant based on their specific FSA experience, understanding of the smallholder context, proposed methodology, and competitive cost packages.

If you have any questions about this ToR please contact [email protected]