Project Field Officer (District Focal Point)

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.

We are currently looking for District Focal Point, Full-time, based in 4 project locations to support the implementation of Smallholder Regenerative Agriculture and Sustainable Palm Oil (HORAS) Hub Project.

The District Focal Point plays a key role in coordinating project implementation at the district level, ensuring effective delivery of project activities, stakeholder engagement, and field-level data management in line with project objectives and SNV standards

Project Overview 

Limited capacity among smallholder farmers to adopt sustainable palm oil and regenerative agriculture practices continues to contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and deforestation. These challenges are compounded by weak institutional capacity and limited access to finance, constraining smallholders’ ability to develop effective Internal Control Systems (ICS) and comply with traceability requirements in the palm oil supply chain.

To address these issues, SNV and Unilever are collaborating through the HORAS Hub project, funded by Unilever, to promote a sustainable, inclusive, and traceable palm oil sector. The project establishes a Smallholder Hub that supports behavioural change among current and future farmers while strengthening sustainability practices and traceable sourcing.

Implemented from 2023–2028, the project aims to improve livelihoods, halt deforestation, and support land regeneration in North Sumatra. HORAS will deliver integrated services to around 20,000 smallholders across seven districts, including farmers, farmer groups, and cooperatives.

The HORAS Hub also functions as a multi-stakeholder platform involving local governments, mills, financial institutions, private sector actors, implementing partners, and farmer organisations. 

The District Focal Point works at a sub-national level, ensuring the (quality of the) service delivery to the client or user community. Executes the local delivery of the project conform advice given by the advisor(s)/ project manager and conform SNV procedures and guidelines, making sure timelines and project standards are met. Anticipates delivery challenges to ensure service and delivery continuity. 

Each Focal Point will cover the following project locations:

1. Deli Serdang and Serdang Bedagai;
2. Asahan and Batu Bara;
3. Simalungun;
4. Tapanuli Selatan and Labuhan Batu Selatan

Key Activities: 

1. Supports the implementation of HORAS project activities at the district level, ensuring effective delivery of interventions to farmer groups and local partners. This includes supporting training delivery, coaching, and technical guidance to strengthen sustainable palm oil practices and regenerative agriculture adoption among smallholders. 

1. Maintains close coordination with farmer groups, cooperatives, local governments, mills, and implementing partners. The District Focal Point facilitates collaboration among stakeholders and represents the project in district-level coordination meetings. 

1. Collects, verifies, and manages field-level data related to project activities and outcomes. The role ensures accurate data entry into project systems and reports any implementation challenges or irregularities. 

1. Contributes to project reporting by providing updates on field progress, lessons learned, and implementation challenges. The District Focal Point also supports documentation and communication materials related to project activities. 

1. Identifies opportunities to improve field implementation and shares insights with the project team to support adaptive management and strengthen project delivery. 

Qualifications and Experience  

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant fields such as agriculture, forestry, environmental studies, development studies, social sciences, public policy, or related disciplines. 

• Minimum of 3 years’ relevant professional experience in field-based development projects, preferably related to smallholder farmer empowerment, sustainable agriculture, palm oil, or rural livelihoods. 

• Demonstrated experience working within the palm oil value chain is strongly preferred, including familiarity with smallholder systems, mills, private sector actors, and sustainability or traceability initiatives. 

• Proven experience working with local organisations and stakeholders, including local government institutions, farmer groups and cooperatives, civil society organisations, and local businesses. 

• Experience in facilitating or supporting multi-stakeholder meetings, training, or workshops with participants from diverse backgrounds. 

Knowledge and Skills  

• Solid understanding of the agriculture sector and palm oil value chain in Indonesia, with knowledge of key issues, actors, and regulatory context in North Sumatra. 

• Strong coordination and organisational skills, including the ability to plan, prioritise, and manage multiple activities across districts. 

• Practical experience in supporting project implementation processes, including activity planning, progress tracking, basic budgeting coordination, monitoring, and reporting. 

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage confidently and professionally with government officials, community actors, private sector partners, and donor representatives. 

• Ability to work proactively and independently in field-based settings while maintaining close coordination with project teams. 

• Proficiency in standard computer applications, including MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. 

• Indonesian native speaker, with good working proficiency in English (written and spoken). 

Contract Duration: 12 months

Desired start date: April 2026

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 19 March 2026. 

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.

Reference check and vetting

We will require that you provide us with the full details of three people who are willing to act as a reference.  We will not contact these references without your explicit permission.

SNV carries out rigorous background and reference checks concerning possible safeguarding incidents for all candidates applying for International determined positions. As SNV participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme, all reference checks include a request to past employers to fill in a questionnaire regarding Misconduct (sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment), the “Statement of Conduct". This Statement of Conduct adopts the definitions used in the Scheme. 

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