Farm Sustainability Assessment (FSA) Implementation and Verification Lead – aGROWforests Project

We are looking for a Farm Sustainability Assessment (FSA) Implementation and Verification Lead to drive field-based FSA implementation and verification readiness for the agreed Muntok White Pepper scope in Bangka Belitung.

About the role

The FSA Lead will lead and accelerate field-based FSA implementation and verification readiness for the agreed Muntok White Pepper scope. The role drives field implementation and closure of outstanding FSA gaps, strengthens CAN's role as Farm Management Group (FMG) Coordinator and holder of the FSA Letter of Attestation, and establishes systems that support continued compliance, improvement, and sustainable sourcing partnerships.

This role is expected to function as a field implementer and problem solver, not only as a coordinator. The FSA Lead will work closely with the Project Coordinator, Spice Hub Managers, field facilitators, relevant CAN functions, project partners, and the Verification Body to ensure agreed actions are implemented, evidenced, monitored, and completed within the project timeline.

Project background

The aGROWforests for Sustainable Spices project aims to contribute to a sustainable, biodiverse, climate-resilient and responsible spices sector in Indonesia. The project supports pepper farmers through climate-smart agriculture, agroforestry, productivity improvement and stronger market readiness.

CAN is preparing an agreed Farm Management Group (FMG), initially targeting 50 active Muntok White Pepper farmers, for FSA verification at the targeted Silver performance level. Previous FSA assessments provide a useful baseline, but current farmer status, field implementation, evidence quality and readiness need to be revalidated and accelerated. A dedicated in-house FSA Lead is therefore required to drive practical field implementation, strengthen the FSA Management System, and coordinate verification readiness.

Objective of the assignment

The purpose of this role is to accelerate and lead FSA implementation for CAN-managed farmer groups, with a strong focus on field execution and verification readiness. The FSA Lead will review and address outstanding implementation gaps from previous FSA cycles, drive direct field interventions and farmer engagement, strengthen the FSA Management System, and coordinate the verification process to achieve and sustain the targeted FSA performance level, initially Silver.

Engagement details

• Contract type: Own staff — full-time
• Duration: Until 31 May 2027
• Location: Bangka Belitung. The role requires the selected candidate to be based in Bangka Belitung, preferably Bangka, throughout the assignment period. Candidates from outside Bangka Belitung may apply if they are willing to relocate or be stationed in Bangka Belitung during the assignment.
• Reports directly to: aGROWforests Project Coordinator, PT Cinquer Agro Nusantara

Scope of work

1. Implementation review and baseline validation

• Review previous FSA implementation, available SAQs, farmer lists, evidence and follow-up actions to identify key bottlenecks and root causes of limited progress.
• Reconcile historical farmer data and validate the current status, engagement and willingness of candidate farmers to participate in the FSA process and potential verification visits.
• Conduct or supervise current farmer reassessment and establish a practical readiness view to support selection and prioritisation of the proposed FMG population.

2. Field implementation and farmer readiness

• Lead direct field implementation with Spice Hub Managers and field facilitators, including farmer re-socialisation, on-site coaching, gap closure and evidence collection.
• Prioritise critical and Essential-level gaps and ensure corrective actions are implemented in practice, not only documented or covered through training.
• Monitor farmer progress through regular field follow-up and maintain a clear readiness status for the target farmer group.

3. FSA Management System and traceability

• Strengthen the FSA Management System, including governance, farmer registry and agreements, document control, internal monitoring and corrective action tracking.
• Review and maintain the applicable Priority Screening Tool (PST) and Continuous Improvement Plan (CIP), linking priority issues to clear actions, responsibilities, deadlines and evidence.
• Work with relevant CAN functions to establish reliable Volume Accounting System (VAS) and traceability records for the agreed FMG scope.

4. Assessment and verification readiness

• Standardise field assessment methods and coach relevant field staff to ensure consistent farmer interviews, SAQ implementation, evidence collection and corrective-action follow-up.
• Facilitate and/or supervise farmer self-assessments and reassessments, ensuring that responses reflect current farm practices and are supported by objective evidence.
• Conduct internal readiness reviews covering farmer gaps, FSA Management System requirements, evidence, VAS/traceability and outstanding corrective actions before external verification.

5. External verification and corrective action closure

• Act as CAN's technical focal point with the Verification Body on applicable requirements, sampling, audit preparation, document submission and verification logistics.
• Prepare and coordinate the required FMS, SAQ, farmer, traceability, CIP and supporting evidence package for external verification.
• Support CAN during the external verification process and lead follow-up on findings, root-cause analysis, corrective actions and evidence submission through the Letter of Attestation process.

Implementation authority and escalation

The FSA Lead is expected to act as a field implementer and problem solver. The role may recommend farmer-group priorities, field activity sequencing and deployment of FSA-related field effort, and should promptly escalate material implementation blockers to the Project Coordinator and CAN management for resolution. Decisions involving material changes to staffing, budget or programme scope remain subject to management approval.

Expected deliverables

• Initial Implementation Review & 90-Day FSA Action Plan — covering key bottlenecks, priority interventions, responsibilities, milestones and verification-readiness targets.
• Validated Farmer Baseline & Readiness Dashboard — including the reconciled candidate farmer registry and current readiness status.
• Operational FSA Management System — including core governance, farmer records, PST/CIP, document control, VAS and traceability arrangements.
• Monthly Field Progress Update — tracking field visits, farmers assessed/reassessed, priority gaps closed, evidence status, key blockers and next actions.
• Updated Farmer SAQ & Evidence Package — in line with the Verification Body-confirmed approach.
• Pre-Audit Readiness Review & Audit Package — including a clear recommendation on readiness for external verification.
• Verification & Corrective Action Closure Support — through submission of required follow-up evidence and the Letter of Attestation process.

Key performance indicators

• Candidate farmer population validated and current readiness status established within the agreed mobilisation timeline.
• Field implementation and gap-closure targets defined in the 90-Day Action Plan and tracked monthly, including agreed field visit/monitoring targets.
• Critical and Essential-level gaps, FMS requirements, evidence and VAS/traceability readiness progressively closed against the agreed audit-readiness milestones.
• External verification preparation completed within the agreed project timeline, with material risks, findings and corrective actions escalated and managed promptly.

Target audience / main users

• Farmers / agripreneurs: who need to understand and implement applicable FSA practices and participate meaningfully in assessment and improvement.
• Spice Hub Managers and field staff: who support day-to-day implementation, monitoring, farmer engagement and evidence collection.
• CAN management and project team: who require reliable FSA implementation, traceability, risk management and audit readiness.
• Buyers and sustainability partners: who require credible FSA assurance and information on sourcing, claims and progress.
• Project partners and donors: who require evidence-based information on implementation progress and project-supported outcomes.

Required profile

• Overall experience: A minimum of 5–8 years in agricultural certification is preferred (FSA, Rainforest Alliance, GlobalGAP, or Organic).
• Education & practical experience: A higher education diploma (post-high school) in an agriculture-related discipline is required, coupled with a minimum of 2 years of practical work experience at the farm/site level or in technical production management. If the educational qualification is in food rather than agriculture, a minimum of 4 years of practical agricultural experience is required.
• FSA audit track record: The candidate must be able to demonstrate at least 3–5 years of experience delivering sustainable agriculture audits in relevant crops and regions. Alternatively, they must have experience delivering at least 5 FSA Verification Assessments as an Associate Auditor, which must include at least 1 assessment of Farm Management Groups.
• Formal training & standards: Candidates must have successfully completed official standard training and auditor training based on ISO 19011 or equivalent. Additional formal training in Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) and Good Agricultural Practices (G.A.P.) principles is highly preferred.
• FSA expertise: Specific experience with the SAI Platform's Farm Sustainability Assessment (FSA) is highly preferred.
• Smallholder context: A 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).

Selection criteria

Candidates will be assessed based on:

• Relevant FSA or comparable sustainable agriculture implementation experience;
• Demonstrated ability to deliver practical field implementation and close compliance gaps;
• Understanding of smallholder farming systems, farmer engagement and farmer group management;
• Experience with sustainability systems, traceability, farmer assessment and/or audit preparation; and
• Strong problem-solving, project management, communication and analytical skills.

Application process

Interested candidates are invited to submit:

• CV
• Cover letter: outlining their interest in the position and relevant experience in FSA implementation, smallholder sustainability, and farmer group management.

Applicants are encouraged to apply via the application form on this page. Applications close on 7 September 2026.

Notes

This recruitment is generally open to qualified candidates. PT.CAN ensures that this recruitment process will be carried out openly and fairly for all applicants who meet the required qualifications, without regard to race, gender, religion, or political affiliation.

Questions regarding this Terms of Reference may be directed to the PT Cinquer Office at info@cinquer.id. Further project information is available at agrowforests.id.