Call For Proposal Consultant Local Impact Assessment (LIA)

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The Subsidy Programme for Responsible Business (SPVO) is a collaborative project between Oxfam Novib, Penabulu Foundation, AS Watson Benelux, and the Serikat Petani Kelapa Sawit (SPKS). The project aims to promote fair and sustainable palm oil value chains by improving transparency, equity, and inclusivity in the determination of Fresh Fruit Bunch (FFB) prices, ultimately contributing to closing the living income gap among smallholder farmers.

The project operates at the national level (Jakarta) and in two key provinces: North Sumatera (Labuhan Batu Utara) and Southeast Sulawesi (North Konawe). It seeks to strengthen responsible sourcing practices and empower smallholders—both women and men—to achieve fair compensation, better working conditions, and gender-equitable participation throughout the palm oil value chain.

1. Objective of the Consultancy

Penabulu Foundation seeks to engage an Independent Consultant to conduct a Local Impact Assessment (LIA) under the SPVO Project framework. The assessment will map and analyze the palm oil value chain; conduct problem, stakeholder, and gender analyses; examine RSPO standards, fair pricing mechanisms, and working conditions; identify key gaps in achieving living income benchmarks; and provide actionable recommendations for improving value chain governance, gender equality, and sustainability.

2.Scope of Work

The consultant will be responsible for:

  1. Geographical Coverage
    • North Konawe Regency, Southeast Sulawesi
    • Labuhan Batu Utara Regency, North Sumatera
    • Jakarta (national coordination)
  1. Methodology Development
    • Design study using the approach combining desk study and data collection using quantitative and qualitative methods with a gender and intersectional lens, elaborating on the participatory approaches that will be included
    • Formulating a strong, relevant, and contextual methodology framework, as well as in harmony with the project objective and sustainability standards analysis (RSPO, decent price, gender, and governance)
  1. Data Collection and Analysis
    • Identify, collect, and analyze primary and secondary data related to the palm oil value chain, FFB price structure, and the role of stakeholders
    • Mapping the main actors, including smallholder farmers, cooperatives, processing factories, intermediaries, as well as the private sector and local governments
    • Integrating gender, social, and economic perspective analysis into the study
    • Collect data on a list of baseline indicators
  1. Planning and Coordination
    • Prepare a detailed workplan with a clear timeline and agreed with the implementing team.
    • Coordinate closely with Oxfam Novib, Penabulu, and SPKS to ensure synergy in implementing the study
    • Ensure the involvement of relevant stakeholders in the data collection process and validation of results.
  1. Reporting and Dissemination
    • Prepare an interim report that includes initial findings and preliminary analysis
    • Comprehensive final report, including conclusions and strategic recommendations
    • Report findings through the presentation forums to the implementing team and stakeholders to obtain input and validation.
  1. Strategic Framework Development
    • Give input to the existing Theory of Change (ToC) Framework based on study findings to support the achievement of project objectives
    • Providing practical and strategic recommendations regarding improving FFB price governance, value chain transparency, and strengthening the capacity of smallholder farmers.

3. Expected Deliverables

The consultant will be responsible for ensuring the quality and timely delivery of the following outputs:

  • Living Impact Assessment (LIA) Research Plan – A comprehensive research plan that includes a summary of the desk study, detailed research approach and methodology, timeline, key research questions, and an outline of the final report structure
  • Draft LIA Report – A draft report presenting the findings from the baseline study, value chain mapping, stakeholder analysis, problem analysis, and a comprehensive gender and intersectional analysis. The draft will be submitted to the consortium members following data collection for review and feedback. Multiple rounds of review may be conducted, depending on the report’s quality and the extent to which feedback is addressed in subsequent revisions.
  • Coordination and Facilitation of Validation Session – The consultant will coordinate and facilitate a validation session to review and verify key findings and recommendations
  • Final LIA Report – A finalized report incorporating all feedback from consortium partners, submitted in both Bahasa Indonesia and English.

4. Qualifications

The lead consultant should have the following skills and knowledge:

  1. Proven experience in leading projects, with a strong research background in value chain studies and program evaluations in the palm oil sector, and demonstrated expertise in gender justice and women’s rights research — including gender and intersectionality-responsive research, evaluations, and advisory services in agricultural value chains —supported by a solid portfolio or prior publications
  2. Have skills in mixed research methods (quantitative and qualitative), including survey, interview, FGD, and participatory research;
  3. Strong analytical, synthesis, and report writing skills, with the ability to translate complex data into actionable recommendations;
  4. Strong communication skills and cross-cultural sensitivity, able to work effectively with smallholder farmers, cooperatives, local governments, companies, international partners, and community-based organizations throughout the palm oil value chain;
  5. Strong understanding of sustainability standards in the palm oil sector, such as RSPO and ISPO, FFB pricing models, and living income calculation methodologies;
  6. Familiarity with living income benchmark and living income gap assessment, and experience in measuring working conditions and child labor issues.
  7. Able to manage consulting work assignments in accordance with agreed results, schedules and quality standards;
  8. Strong report writing and presentation skills in Bahasa Indonesia and English, tailored to a wide range of stakeholders (farmers, companies, donors)

5. Timeline

The consultancy is expected to run from December 2025 to February 2026, aligned with the following milestones:

6. Application Procedure

Applicants must submit their applications via email to pengadaan@penabulu.id,  no later than 24 November 2025 at 23.59 WIB. Please write “LIA_SPVOPROJECT_(Applicant’s Name)” in the email subject line, and include the following documents:

  • Curriculum Vitae (team or individual)
  • Relevant portfolio and samples of previous studies
  • Technical Proposal (methodology, approach, and timeline)
  • Financial Proposal (including travel and accommodation costs)

7. Values and Commitments of Yayasan Penabulu

The Penabulu Foundation is committed to preventing all forms of undesirable behavior in the workplace, including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity, and financial misconduct; and is committed to promoting the well-being of children, adolescents, adults, and beneficiaries working with the Penabulu Foundation. The Penabulu Foundation expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our code of ethics. The Penabulu Foundation places a high priority on ensuring that only those who uphold and demonstrate these values work with the Penabulu Foundation.

All job offers made by Penabulu will be based on appropriate checks/screenings for criminal records and financial checks related to terrorism. The Penabulu Foundation will request information from job applicants through their previous workplaces regarding findings of sexual violence and sexual harassment during employment or incidents that are currently under investigation. By submitting an application, the applicant understands the recruitment procedures of the Penabulu Foundation.

The Penabulu Foundation is committed to ensuring diversity and gender equality within the organization and encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.

8. Terms and Conditions

  • Yayasan Penabulu may conduct background checks on shortlisted candidates within 5–7 working days,
  • Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted by Yayasan Penabulu,
  • Yayasan Penabulu is not responsible for any false information provided by applicants,
  • Yayasan Penabulu does not charge any fees in connection with the recruitment process,
  • Please note that all applications will be reviewed by our administration team, and the acceptance of applicants will be determined based on the terms and conditions set by Yayasan Penabulu,
  • All required information and documents must be submitted accurately and within the deadlines established by Yayasan Penabulu.

Further details can be downloaded from the attached Term of Reference (ToR).