Regenerative Community Expert – aGROWforests Programme (Indonesia)

We are looking for a Regenerative Community Expert to design and guide the social implementation of the aGROWforests programme, fostering behavior change, strengthening social capital, and ensuring inclusive community participation in landscape-based agroforestry.

About the role

Transitioning to regenerative agriculture is not just a technical challenge; it is a social one. As the aGROWforests for Sustainable Spices project shifts to a landscape approach, we need to ensure that farmer communities are socially cohesive, inclusive, and motivated to adopt long-term sustainable practices.

The purpose of this consultancy is to provide the methodology and strategy for community mobilization. The Expert will guide field teams in building strong farmer organizations, facilitating behavior change, and integrating local wisdom with regenerative principles.

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 (30% women, 15% youth) 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 sustain these achievements, the project requires a deeper focus on the "human component"—building the social resilience required for communities to manage landscapes collectively and resolve resource conflicts effectively.

Scope of work

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

1. Social Strategy & Behavior Change

• Develop a comprehensive Community Engagement Strategy that facilitates the mindset shift from conventional farming to regenerative stewardship.
• Design behavioral change communication (BCC) approaches to encourage the adoption of agroforestry and biodiversity conservation.
• Conduct social mapping to identify local champions, power dynamics, and potential sources of conflict within target landscapes.

2. Strengthening Social Capital & Governance

• Create modules and guidelines for strengthening farmer groups and cooperatives, focusing on democratic decision-making, conflict resolution, and internal governance.
• Facilitate Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) processes to ensure community ownership of land-use planning.
• Advise on the social aspects of the "Spice Hub" model to ensure they remain community-driven and equitable.

3. Inclusivity & Local Wisdom

• Ensure the integration of Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) principles across all project activities, specifically targeting women and youth empowerment.
• Document and integrate indigenous knowledge/local wisdom regarding land management into the project's technical recommendations.
• Develop mechanisms for benefit-sharing within community groups to ensure fair distribution of economic gains.

Expected deliverables

• Community Engagement Strategy Document: A roadmap for social mobilization and behavior change.
• Capacity Building Modules: Training materials on group dynamics, leadership, and conflict management for field facilitators.
• GESI Action Plan: Specific guidelines for integrating women and youth into value chains and decision-making.
• Social Impact Assessment: A report analyzing the change in social capital and community cohesion.
• Mentorship: Regular coaching sessions for Spice Hub Managers (Changemakers) on community facilitation techniques.

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 Sociology, Anthropology, Community Development, Social Psychology, or related field.
• Experience: Minimum 7–10 years in community mobilization, social engineering, or rural development in Indonesia.
• Methodology: Expertise in Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA), behavior change communication, and adult learning principles.
• Thematic Knowledge: Strong understanding of regenerative agriculture, social forestry, or community-based natural resource management (CBNRM).
• Soft Skills: High emotional intelligence, empathy, and ability to navigate complex community dynamics.
• Languages: Fluency in Bahasa Indonesia and English. Knowledge of local dialects in Bangka/Lampung is an asset.

Proposal submission

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

• Technical Proposal: Outlining the approach to behavior change and community strengthening.
• Financial Proposal: Including daily rate/fees and estimated days.
• CV/Profile: With examples of similar social development projects.

Selection criteria

The team will select the consultant based on the relevance of experience, the robustness of the proposed social methodology, and competitive cost packages.

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