SNV is a global development partner, deeply rooted in the countries where we operate. We are driven by a vision of a better world: A world where across every society all people live with dignity and have equitable opportunities to thrive sustainably. To make this vision a reality, we need transformations in vital agri-food, energy, and water systems. SNV contributes by strengthening capacities and catalysing partnerships in these sectors. We help strengthen institutions and effective governance, reduce gender inequalities and barriers to social inclusion, and enable adaptation and mitigation to the climate and biodiversity crises.

Building on 60 years of experience we support our partners with our technical and process expertise and methodological rigour. We do this in more than 20 countries in Africa and Asia with a team of approximately 1,600 colleagues. By being adaptable and tailoring our approaches to these different contexts, we can contribute to impact at scale, resulting in more equitable lives for all.

Our core values of people-centeredness and respect, equity and equality, and diversity and inclusion, are fundamental to who we are, and what we do. This is reflected in our vision and mission, and strategy, which sets out our aspirations and commitments as our compass towards 2030.

For more information about SNV, please refer to our website: www.snv.org

We are currently looking for Advisor Agroforestry, full-time, based in Jakarta to support implementation of of Sustainable palm oil supply chain and Sustainable Cocoa for Forest Ecosystems projects.

The Project

The Biodiverse and Inclusive Palm Oil Supply Chain in Labuhan Batu, North Sumatera aims to achieve sustainable palm oil supply chain through the implementation of regenerative agriculture practices, locally adapted agroforestry model, and ecosystem protection. Ultimately, we aim to move towards deforestation-free palm oil supply chain. The project encourages sustainable practices in the palm oil supply chain by enhancing the capacity of smallholder farmers and strengthening the institutional framework of farmers association.

Through capacity building and technical assistance, we promote the adoption of regenerative agriculture practices that will improve soil health, preserve biodiversity, and better water resource management. Moreover, we promote an agroforestry model that integrates palm oil with local commodities to enhance farmers' livelihoods.

In Sustainable Cocoa for Forest Ecosystems project, we work with cocoa farmers, aiming to produce cocoa sustainably while preserving the ecosystem in adjacent rainforest areas. It will enable cocoa buyers to source from traceable and more reliable (deforestation-free) producing areas, securing their access to the EU market. Smallholder cocoa farmers will receive higher and diversified incomes from cocoa agroforestry, including incentives for protecting tree coverage in cocoa-forest conjunction areas, reforestation, and other environmental risk mitigation actions

Key Responsibilities

1. Service and process delivery

• Capacity Building: Train 3,000 cocoa and 1,500 palm oil smallholders, along with local champions, to adopt agroforestry for resilience and environmental benefits.
• Agroforestry Adoption: Promote agroforestry on 1,200 hectares of cocoa farms, aligning with PES incentive development and adoption of agroforestry on 250 hectares of palm oil farms
• Demonstration Plots: Set up and manage 11 cocoa and 5 palm oil demonstration plots to highlight sustainable agroforestry within the landscape
• Training Materials: Develop localized training modules and guides for cocoa and palm oil.
• Technical Support: Provide hands-on assistance through field visits, demonstrations, and ongoing advisory services on farm management, crop diversification, and post-harvest handling.
• Monitoring Framework: Develop a system to track the adoption and impact of regenerative agroforestry in cocoa and palm oil.
• Market Development: Strengthen community organizations by improving market access, institutional empowerment, and business connections for cocoa agroforestry.
• Economic Valuation: Assess the economic benefits of integrating palm oil with local commodities.

1. Internal and external communication.

• Collaborate with internal teams to ensure alignment on project goals, timelines, and deliverables.
• Regularly update management and project teams on the progress of agroforestry initiatives and key challenges.
• Share field insights and feedback to inform strategic planning and decision-making.
• Facilitate cross-departmental coordination to integrate agroforestry activities with other organizational programs
• Establish and maintain positive relationships with stakeholders, including government, companies, local communities, and project partners (local NGO).
• Engage with farmers, community leaders, and local stakeholders to promote agroforestry practices and secure buy-in.
• Represent the organization in meetings, workshops, and conferences related to agroforestry and sustainable agriculture.

1. Project data handling.

• Develop and implement standardized protocols for collecting agroforestry-related data from project sites.
• Ensure accurate and timely field data collection, including farm-level practices, adoption rates, and environmental impacts.
• Manage and maintain project databases, ensuring data is organized, up-to-date, and accessible to relevant stakeholders.

1. Process improvement

• Support Project Coordinators/ Managers in monitoring the quality-of-service delivery and effectiveness of applied methodology.

• Master’s degree in Agroforestry, Forestry, Agriculture, Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, or a related field
• At least 5 years of professional experience in agroforestry or related fields, including project implementation and community engagement
• Proven experience in working with rural farming communities, especially on sustainable land-use practices
• Competence in designing and delivering training modules for farmers and stakeholders.
• Familiarity with Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) frameworks and their integration into agroforestry initiatives.
• Willingness to travel frequently to rural and remote project sites (Sigi and Rantauprapat).
• Proficiency in English both writing and speaking
• Understanding of local socio-economic and cultural contexts in the project area.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities to address challenges in field implementation.
• Teamwork and collaboration skills to work effectively within multidisciplinary teams.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities effectively.

Contract type: National Contract, Full Time.

Contract Duration: 1 year with the possibility of extension

Desired start date: May/June 2025

Working at SNV
SNV offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package. We offer a challenging work environment, opportunities to lead and innovate, and a commitment to growing your skills in a fulfilling and diverse working environment. Our staff benefit from, and contribute to, an internal global network of experts. 

SNV strives to be an inclusive employer, thriving on the diversity of its people and does not discriminate on the basis of disability status, religion, ethnic origin, gender and sexual orientation, etc.

How to apply

If you believe that your credentials meet the outlined profile, we invite you to apply by uploading your CV and a letter of motivation before/on the 20 March 2025. 

Please submit your application only via SmartRecruiters. All information will be in the strictest confidence. We will revert to you as soon as possible when we have reviewed your application.

If we see that your experience and skills match the requirements of the position, we will contact you to advise you of the next steps in the recruitment process.

We do not appreciate third-party mediation based on this advertisement.