Asia Pacific Oil Palm Project Coordinator (APOPPC)

We are looking for an Indonesian project manager and coordinator for the rapidly expanding oil palm projects we undertake in conjunction with our partners – plantations, governments and corporations - in the Asia Pacific.

Under the general supervision of the Asia Pacific Commodity Business Support Centre and the International Programme Coordinator (Palm), the Coordinator will have the responsibility for the smooth management of Solidaridad’s regional palm program in the Asia Pacific. The incumbent will also represent Solidaridad in existing networks and promote collaborative work with key partners in the region.

Location

The location will preferably be in Bogor, Indonesia, with regular travelling up to 40% of the time. The position is for Indonesian nationals.

Responsibilities

1. Support the existing regional program

• Current Solidaridad oil palm projects are in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Papua New Guinea and share experience and training materials with Solidaridad Palm projects in Honduras, Colombia, Ghana and elsewhere. Each of these projects is implemented by local partners and trainers. The APOPPC is expected to monitor and oversee AP projects and assist in fulfilling the project’s goals (implementation).
• Monitoring, reporting and evaluation of the Palm projects and the teams on these projects.
• In collaboration with the Asia Pacific palm manager, report on the projects and provide input, opportunities for development and proactively manage project related issues.
• Establish the connections required for the training-of-trainers programme(s) based on existing technical assistance programs, generic tools available in the Solidaridad network;
• Developing and providing training tools and modules such as professional farming techniques, organisational development and administrative support; Development and sharing of basic RSPO smallholder training implementation tools.

2. Continuous development of new programme activities

• Surveying and scanning the local and regional environment in search of potential innovative initiatives that could be supported;
• Liaison with partner organizations, participating in working committees, conferences and gatherings in the region to remain abreast of developing initiatives and potential sources of funding;
• Assist in development of fundraising proposals, communication with donors, positioning of Solidaridad in a professional and unique manner in comparison to other international CSOs in SE Asia.

3. Responsibility towards the REC Administration and Solidaridad reputation in Indonesia

Report towards the CBSC Manager in Indonesia and fulfil tasks required for the good functioning and development of the program.

Position Qualifications

Essential qualifications

• Experience in smallholder / community development related training programs relating to better agricultural practices;
• Specific oil palm estate knowledge / experience an advantage;
• Solid knowledge of, and contacts in, the SEA oil palm network;
• Experience in undertaking both gap analyses of smallholder training and training needs assessments;
• Experience in developing structured, well thought out training programs and in overseeing their implementation. Experience in both successful and failed smallholder training programs/initiatives;
• Excellent communication skills across a variety of different groups – plantations, government, local communities, companies;
• Experience in coordination of projects and project management (project cycle of planning, implementation, evaluation);
• Experience in planning, facilitation, organization and implementation of consultancies and workshops;
• Ability health-wise and willingness to travel for up to four-six months per year in total.

Applications

Applicants should:

• Submit Curriculum vitae, a letter of interest explaining their suitability for the position and addressing specifically the points in the essential qualifications section above;
• Outline general salary expectations;
• Availability of time to start to work;
• Contact details of two references with brief description of applicant’s relationship to them.

Application will be treated in confidence and should be send in before 11 May 2012 to: Piers Gillespie - Piers.Gillespie@solidaridadnetwork.org with on cc: Els Wismeijer els.wismeijer@solidaridad.nl.