Smallholder Hub Advisor

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 a Smallholder Hub Advisor, Full-time, based in Medan to support the implementation of Smallholder Regenerative Agriculture and Sustainable Palm Oil (HORAS) Hub Project.

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 HORAS Hub Advisor will play a key role in strengthening the Hub’s governance, coordination, and strategic positioning to ensure it operates as an effective and inclusive platform.

The Advisor provides technical insights and advisory services on products and interventions to projects. The Advisor gives input to Project Managers and project partners in order to meet the agreed objectives and realise successful interventions. The Advisor identifies opportunities and areas for improvement, to ensure quality delivery.

Key Activities:

1. Provide strategic advice to the Project Manager on the development and operationalisation of the HORAS Hub governance structure, including policies, accountability mechanisms, and coordination frameworks to ensure transparency, inclusivity, and effective decision-making.
2. Support the establishment and functioning of the Hub by coordinating with district focal points, field teams, implementing partners, and stakeholders. Facilitate collaboration and oversee monitoring tools (e.g., Hub dashboard) to track implementation progress, regenerative agriculture adoption, and supply chain data.
3. Document lessons learned from the Hub’s implementation, facilitate stakeholder reflection sessions, and contribute to knowledge products and communication materials that capture the Hub’s approach and impact.
4. Strengthen the Hub’s visibility and credibility as a multi-stakeholder platform for sustainable palm oil by engaging with government, private sector, financial institutions, and sector networks.
5. Support the development of the Hub’s operational and financial model, identify partnership and co-financing opportunities, and contribute to proposals and initiatives that ensure the Hub’s long-term sustainability beyond the project lifecycle.

Qualifications and Experience 

• Master’s degree in public policy, governance, development studies, agriculture, environmental management, business administration, or a related field 

• Minimum 8–10 years of relevant professional experience in multi-stakeholder platforms, institutional strengthening, governance advisory, or sector transformation initiatives 

• Demonstrated experience in designing, facilitating, or strengthening governance structures, partnerships, or collaborative forums at sub-national or national level 

• Proven experience engaging with government institutions, private sector actors (including value chain actors), and development partners in Indonesia 

• Strong understanding of the palm oil value chain, smallholder systems, and sustainability/traceability frameworks in Indonesia; experience in North Sumatra and palm oil value chain is strongly preferred 

• Experience contributing to strategic positioning, partnership development, or resource mobilisation efforts 

• Experience in producing strategic documents such as governance frameworks, charters, concept notes, policy briefs, or partnership agreements 

Knowledge and Skills 

• Strong expertise in multi-stakeholder governance design, accountability mechanisms, and institutional sustainability 

• Ability to operationalise structured coordination platforms with clear mandates and decision-making processes 

• Systems-level understanding of palm oil value chain ecosystems and transformation dynamics 

• Ability to translate strategic vision into practical institutional models 

• Strong facilitation and communication skills across diverse and high-level stakeholders 

• Ability to build trust, manage sensitivity, and influence without direct authority 

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in Bahasa Indonesia and English 

• Confident representation of initiatives in strategic forums 

Ability to strengthen processes for transparency, efficiency, and effectiveness 

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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