Community Development Assistant for Agroforestry and Ecotourism (Lima Puluh Kota, West Sumatra)

You will be based in Lima Puluh Kota, West Sumatra. Existing work authorization is required at the time of application submission as WRI is unable to sponsor any visa work sponsorship for this position.

Program Overview

Human society and the global economy are inextricably linked to forests. People depend on forests for their critical role in stabilizing the climate, while forests provide food, water, energy, and many other ecosystem services vital to human well-being. In Indonesia, community-managed forest areas under Social Forestry (Perhutanan Sosial) schemes present opportunities to empower adjacent and forest-dependent people to improve rural development and natural resource conservation, and to contribute to climate change mitigation. Given the multiple objectives it represents, WRI Indonesia works with governments, businesses, multilateral and financial institutions, civil society groups, and indigenous peoples and local communities to support the acceleration and development of Social Forestry.

Under the Blended Finance Model (BFM) for the Social Forestry Enterprises Project, WRI Indonesia aims to strengthen Social Forestry Business Groups (Kelompok Usaha Perhutanan Sosial / KUPS) through institutional strengthening, capacity-building, land productivity and agroforestry management, sustainable ecotourism development, business incubation, and facilitation of market partnerships. The project is designed to improve the readiness of KUPS and its associated cooperatives (Koperasi) to access blended finance mechanisms that combine BFM's grant funding with commercial and non-commercial financing sources.

In Lima Puluh Kota Regency, WRI Indonesia will support 21 target KUPS, covering honey (16), citronella oil (4), and ecotourism (1) enterprises. The area demonstrates strong community institutions and favorable prospects for aggregation-based business models, but many groups still require support in production consistency, Koperasi activation, business management, market linkage, and financing readiness.

Job Highlight

The Community Development Assistant for Agroforestry and Ecotourism will support the Community Development and Sustainable Livelihood Coordinator in delivering community development and sustainable livelihood interventions activities for targeted KUPS in Lima Puluh Kota, West Sumatra aim to improve institutional capacity, adopt sustainable livelihood practices, and enhance market and financing readiness.. This position will be based in either Payakumbuh or Lima Puluh Kota, with regular travel to target villages and project sites within the 2 districts.

In support of WRI's DEI commitment, you are responsible for actively participating in these collaborative efforts by integrating equity into your work, our workplace, and the organizational culture.

What You Will Do

The Community Development Assistant for Ecotourism and Agroforestry's main areas of responsibility will include the following:

Technical Works and Community Facilitation Support (70%)

• Support the Community Development and Sustainable Livelihood Coordinator in implementing agroforestry and ecotourism development activities in target locations.

• Assist in identification and documentation of partnership opportunities and market engagement activities facilitated by the Community Development and Sustainable Livelihood Coordinator.

• Support the technical preparation for capacity-building activities related to entrepreneurship, bookkeeping, visitor management readiness, service quality improvement, hospitality, business management, and financing readiness for ecotourism development activities (for 1 KUPS in Taram).

• Support the technical preparation for capacity-building activities related to revitalization and operational strengthening of commodity-based cooperatives as aggregators of supply and shared services (2 KUPS enterprises, involving honey-based and citronella oil-based KUPS).

• Coordinate logistical requirements for field activities in targeted KUPS in Lima Puluh Kota, working closely with the Administration and Procurement team.

• Assist baseline assessments, tiering processes, monitoring visits, and field data collection activities for targeted KUPS/cooperatives.

• Collect, organize, and maintain project documentation and  field evidence: photos, participant lists, geotagged data/information, MoM, training documentation, and other community’s KUPS progress records and its supporting metadata.

Stakeholder Communication (30%)

• Support Community Development and Sustainable Livelihood Coordinator in conducting communication with local governments, CSOs, private sector actors, and other stakeholders to support program implementation.

• Maintain effective communication and relationships with relevant stakeholders to support program alignment.

• Retrieving supporting field evidence quickly for stakeholder engagement and project communication needs.

What You Will Need

• Bachelor's degree in forestry, tourism, agriculture, sociology, agribusiness, rural development, environmental studies, economics, or other related fields.  

• Minimum 2 years of professional experience in community facilitation, livelihood development, ecotourism programs, social forestry, stakeholder engagement, or rural enterprise development.

• Based in or originating from Lima Puluh Kota or otherWest Sumatra region is strongly preferable.

• Strong understanding of community development approaches and rural economic systems in West Sumatra.

• Experience working with KUPS, village enterprises, cooperatives, tourism groups, or government institutions.

• Experience facilitating trainings, participatory planning, and multi-stakeholder engagement processes.

• Basic understanding of business development, market linkage, and financing readiness for community enterprises.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Words, Excel, PowerPoint)  and common digital communication tools.

• Willingness to travel frequently between villages and sub-districts within Lima Puluh Kota.

• Legally able to work in Indonesia.

Preferred Commodity-Specific Qualifications

• Familiarity with honeybee enterprises, especially stingless bee/madu galo-galo (Trigona sp.) production systems, bee colony management, post-harvest handling, or cooperative marketing.

• Familiarity with citronella cultivation, essential oil distillation, agro-processing, or rural manufacturing value chains.

• Familiarity with community-based tourism, hospitality standards, visitor safety, or destination enterprise management.

Performance Standards

• Effective field facilitation and regular presence in targeted KUPS locations.

• Timely completion of monthly reports and activity documentation.

• Professional conduct in representing WRI Indonesia.

Duration

The assignment is expected to commence immediately for a contract period up to 28 February 2027.

Deliverables

1. Produced and maintained assessment and monitoring datasets for targeted KUPS and reported in a monthly basis

2. Compiled and submitted supporting documentation from baseline assessment, tiering processes, monitoring visits, and field verification activities

3. Completed and audit-ready documentation packages for community development, agroforestry, ecotourism, and capacity building activities conducted: attendance lists, photos, meeting notes, training documentations, and supporting metadata, etc.

4. Compiled records and documentation of stakeholder engagement activities: contact list, meeting records, follow up action trackers.

5. Monthly timesheet and work progress report submitted in a timely manner

Terms of Payment

Daily-rate-based consultant with a maximum of 20 (twenty) working days per month.

How to Apply:

• Please submit a resume with a cover letter by 22 June 2026. You must apply through the WRI Careers portal to be considered. We may close for applications sooner if we receive a high volume of applications from qualified candidates.

• Must have authorization to work in Indonesia to be eligible for this position.

• Final candidates might be required to take a certain test and/or to produce/share writing samples when needed.

• This is a locally engaged position, Indonesian nationals are encouraged to apply.

What we offer:

• Consultant rate that is commensurate with experience and skill.

• Travel insurance for both domestic and international for any travel duty as assigned by WRI Indonesia

• Access to the WRI global network with the opportunity to exchange with and learn from passionate colleagues working at the cutting edge of their fields.

• A workplace that strives to put diversity and inclusion at the heart of our work

• The opportunity to join and get involved in different working groups and affinity groups to shape the future of WRI

• Commitment to hybrid working model with flexible working hours

About Us:

World Resources Institute works to improve people’s lives, protect and restore nature and stabilize the climate. As an independent research organization, we leverage our data, expertise and global reach to influence policy and catalyze change across systems like food, land and water; energy; and cities. Our 2,000+ staff work on the ground in more than a dozen focus countries and with partners in over 50 nations.

Our mission and values:

WRI’s mission is to move human society to live in ways that protect Earth’s environment and its capacity to provide for the needs and aspirations of current and future generations.

Our values are shared ideals that bind us together: Independence, Integrity, Impact, Partnership, and Care.

Our culture:

WRI is committed to advancing gender and social equity for human well-being in our mission including equal opportunities in employment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, caste, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, or protected Veteran status.

Our Human Resources Team carefully reviews all applications.

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