Regenerative Community Expert – aGROWforests Project

We are looking for a Regenerative Community Expert to design and guide the conceptual framework and social implementation of the aGROWforests programme, fostering worldview transformation, strengthening social capital through ethical livelihoods, and ensuring inclusive community participation in landscape-based agroforestry.

About the role

Transitioning to regenerative agriculture is not only a technical challenge; it is a fundamental shift in worldview and community ethics. As the aGROWforests for Sustainable Spices project moves to a landscape approach, it must ensure that farmer communities are socially cohesive, resilient, and motivated to adopt long-term sustainable practices grounded in ethical livelihoods.

The purpose of this consultancy is to provide the conceptual framework and methodology for community mobilisation. The Regenerative Community Expert will guide field teams in building strong farmer organisations, facilitating behaviour change, and integrating local and traditional wisdom with regenerative agroecological principles.

Project background

The objective of the aGROWforests for Sustainable Spices project is to contribute to a sustainable, bio-diverse, climate-resilient, and responsible spices sector in Indonesia. We do this by increasing farm productivity and income of pepper farmers through climate-smart agriculture and agroforestry, which also removes or reduces greenhouse gas emissions attributed to pepper farming and agriculture in general. The 3-year project targets 2,300 farmers (of which 30% women, 15% youth) in the provinces of Bangka Belitung and Lampung.

By the end of 2025, more than 1,300 farmers had already been trained under the project. To sustain these achievements, the project now requires a deeper focus on the "human component" — building the social resilience and shared worldview needed for communities to manage landscapes collectively and resolve resource conflicts effectively.

Engagement details

• Contract type: External service.
• Start date: 1 September 2026
• End date: 31 May 2027
• Location: Home-based/remote, with two field visits.
• Reports to: aGROWforests Project Coordinator, PT Cinquer Agro Nusantara.

Scope of work

The Expert will provide high-level conceptual guidance to the Project Coordinator and Spice Hub Managers. The scope of work includes:

1. Social strategy and worldview transformation

• Develop a comprehensive Community Engagement Strategy that facilitates the mindset shift towards regenerative stewardship and ethical livelihoods.
• Design educational approaches that encourage the adoption of agroecology, permaculture, and biodiversity conservation within the community's cultural context.
• Conduct social mapping to identify local champions, traditional knowledge keepers, and community dynamics within the target landscapes.

2. Strengthening social capital and ethical governance

• Create modules and guidelines for strengthening farmer groups, focusing on mutual assistance, conflict resolution, and internal governance grounded in traditional or local economic wisdom (e.g. Gift Economy or Mu'amalah frameworks).
• Advise on the structural and operational framework of the "Spice Hub" model to ensure it functions as an equitable, community-driven institution.

3. Inclusivity and traditional knowledge integration

• Ensure inclusive community-building practices are integrated across all project activities.
• Document and integrate indigenous knowledge, traditional livelihood ethics, and local land-management wisdom into the project's technical and social recommendations.
• Develop mechanisms for benefit-sharing within community groups to ensure a fair distribution of economic gains based on equitable principles.

Expected deliverables

• Community Engagement & Livelihoods Strategy: a foundational roadmap for social mobilisation that integrates agroecology and traditional economic ethics.
• Capacity Building Modules: training materials on group dynamics, regenerative livelihoods, and community building for field facilitators.
• Knowledge Integration Plan: specific guidelines for integrating traditional land-management wisdom and inclusive practices into the value chain.
• Community Cohesion Assessment: a report analysing the change in social capital and community resilience.
• Mentorship: regular coaching sessions for Spice Hub Managers on comprehensive community facilitation and worldview transformation.

Target audience / main users

• Field Facilitators & Hub Managers: who will implement the strategies on the ground.
• Farmer Groups: who will benefit from stronger governance and representation.
• Vulnerable Groups: women and youth who require targeted inclusion strategies.

Required profile

• Education: advanced degree in Community Development, Sociology, Anthropology, History & Philosophy of Science, Alternative/Traditional Economics, or a related field.
• Experience: a minimum of 7–10 years of combined academic research and practical community mobilisation experience in Indonesia or the wider Southeast Asian/Nusantara region, with a proven track record leading community-rooted initiatives.
• Methodology: expertise in holistic community building, permaculture design principles, agroecology, and alternative socio-economic frameworks such as the Gift Economy.
• Thematic knowledge: a deep understanding of the intersection between philosophy of science, traditional livelihood ethics, and regenerative agriculture.
• Soft skills: high emotional intelligence and empathy, with the ability to navigate complex community dynamics and bridge academic concepts with grassroots implementation.
• Languages: fluency in Bahasa Indonesia/Malay and English, with the ability to translate complex conceptual frameworks into accessible community modules.

Proposal submission

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

• CV & Cover Letter: indicating interest in and suitability for the assignment.
• Project Proposal: covering the proposed strategy, work plan, and budget allocation.

Selection criteria

The consultant will be selected based on the relevance of their experience, the robustness of the proposed social methodology, and the competitiveness of the cost package.

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