Landscape Planning & Strategy Consultant – aGROWforests Programme (Indonesia)

We are looking for a Landscape Planning & Strategy Consultant to design the master blueprint for the aGROWforests programme, synthesizing geospatial data, community needs, and ecological goals into a coherent Integrated Landscape Management (ILM) strategy.

About the role

As the aGROWforests for Sustainable Spices project expands its horizon, we need to move beyond individual farm plots to managing entire ecosystems.

The purpose of this consultancy is to develop the strategic roadmap for this transition. The Consultant will act as the lead planner, synthesizing inputs from geospatial analysts, community experts, and government liaisons to create a holistic Landscape Master Plan that balances production, conservation, and social equity in Bangka Belitung.

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, the project began shifting from a plot-level focus to a landscape approach. This shift requires a strategic planner to design how agricultural zones, ecological corridors, and community settlements interact, ensuring long-term resilience against climate change and biodiversity loss.

Scope of work

The Consultant will lead the strategic planning process. The scope includes:

1. Integrated Landscape Strategy (Master Planning)

• Develop a comprehensive Landscape Master Plan for the target priority areas, integrating agroforestry zones, conservation areas, and ecological corridors.
• Synthesize geospatial data (provided by the Geospatial Consultant) with social and economic data to propose optimal land-use zoning.
• Design strategies for "multifunctional landscapes" that deliver ecosystem services (water retention, carbon storage) alongside economic production.

2. Strategic Alignment & Roadmap

• Align the landscape strategy with local government Spatial Plans (RTRW/RDTR) and regional development goals to ensure political viability.
• Develop a phased Implementation Roadmap (2026–2030) for scaling the landscape approach, identifying quick wins and long-term structural interventions.
• Define the management framework for the landscape, proposing governance models for how different stakeholders (private sector, community, government) co-manage the area.

3. Guidelines & Best Practices

• Create technical guidelines for "Landscape-Sensitive Agroforestry," detailing how individual farm designs should fit into the broader ecological picture.
• Develop mitigation strategies for human-wildlife conflict and environmental degradation based on landscape connectivity principles.
• Advise the team on potential Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) mechanisms suitable for the planned landscape.

Expected deliverables

• Landscape Master Plan Document: A comprehensive strategic document with zoning maps, intervention logic, and management guidelines.
• Implementation Roadmap: A step-by-step guide for executing the landscape strategy over the next 3–5 years.
• Policy Alignment Brief: An analysis of how the strategy fits into current Indonesian spatial planning regulations.
• Landscape Management Framework: Recommendations for the governance structure required to manage the landscape effectively.
• Technical Guidelines: Practical manuals for integrating farm-level activities into the landscape context.

Target audience / main users

• Project Consortium: For strategic decision-making and resource allocation.
• Local Government: For integrating project plans into regional spatial planning.
• Donors/Investors: To understand the long-term vision and investment potential of the landscape.

Required profile

• Education: Advanced degree in Landscape Architecture, Regional/Urban Planning, Environmental Management, or Geography.
• Experience: Minimum 7–10 years in strategic landscape planning, Integrated Landscape Management (ILM), or watershed management.
• Strategic Thinking: Ability to synthesize complex, multi-disciplinary data (social, ecological, spatial) into a coherent strategy.
• Regulatory Knowledge: Familiarity with Indonesian Spatial Planning Law (uu Penataan Ruang) and environmental regulations.
• Visual Skills: Ability to produce high-quality maps, diagrams, and visual representations of landscape strategies (partnering with the geospatial team).
• Languages: Fluency in English (for reporting) and Bahasa Indonesia (for stakeholder alignment).

Proposal submission

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

• Technical Proposal: Outlining the planning methodology and approach to ILM.
• Financial Proposal: Including daily rate/fees and estimated days.
• CV/Portfolio: Showing examples of previous Master Plans or Strategic Landscape documents.

Selection criteria

The team will select the consultant based on the quality of their strategic thinking, relevance of past planning projects, proposed methodology, and competitive cost packages.