We Are Hiring: Consultant for Indigenous Rights and Forest Carbon Initiatives
- Jul 29
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 30
Terms of Reference
Consultant for Indigenous Rights and Forest Carbon Initiatives
Sangga Bumi Lestari (SBL) works with Indigenous Peoples in the Bentarum Landscape, Kapuas Hulu, West Kalimantan, Indonesia, particularly in the sub-districts of North Putussibau, Embaloh Hulu and Batang Lupar.
Indigenous Peoples in the landscape are increasingly approached by various external actors proposing conservation, forest carbon, ecosystem service, and other nature-based initiatives. While these initiatives may create environmental, social, and economic opportunities, they may also involve legal, institutional, and governance considerations that require informed decision-making.
Sangga Bumi Lestari seeks to strengthen the capacity of Indigenous Peoples to understand these initiatives, assess their potential implications for customary rights and community governance, and engage constructively with prospective partners through transparent, equitable, and informed decision-making.
Purpose
The consultant will provide independent technical and legal advice to support informed decision-making by Indigenous Peoples regarding proposed forest carbon and other nature-based initiatives. The assignment will assess potential legal, institutional, and governance implications for Indigenous Peoples' rights and customary institutions, and recommend appropriate approaches for equitable engagement, collaboration, and benefit-sharing with prospective project partners.
Skills Required
Consultants must have demonstrated expertise in:
1. Carbon Project Development
Forest carbon and other AFOLU-based projects including REDD+, ARR, IFM, and biodiversity credits initiatives.
Project Design Document (PDD)
Voluntary carbon standards (e.g., Verra VCS, CCB Standards, Art Trees, Plan Vivo, or other internationally recognized standards)
The process of preparation, validation and verification of carbon projects.
2. Rights and Protection of Indigenous Peoples
Indigenous Peoples' rights based on Indonesian law and international standards
Free Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC)
Ownership of forests and customary natural resources
Social and environmental safeguards applicable to nature-based including forest carbon initiatives.
3. Legal and Policy Framework
Indonesia's forestry, environment, and carbon regulations
Social Forestry and Customary Forests Framework
Land ownership and natural resource governance
Recognition of Indigenous Peoples and customary institutions under Indonesian law
Community agreements and institutional arrangements
4. Benefit-sharing and community governance
Legal and institutional arrangements for partnerships and benefit-sharing involving Indigenous Peoples and natural resource management initiatives
Community governance and institutional strengthening
Partnership/business agreements and community collaborations
5. Grievance and Dispute Resolution mechanism
Design and implementation of grievance mechanisms
Community-accessible complaint handling procedures
Dispute resolution relating to tenure, employment, participation, and benefit-sharing
Scope of Work
The consultant must perform, but is not limited to, the following activities:
1. Assessment of Legal, Rights, and Governance Considerations
Review project documentation, proposed agreements, consultation materials, and other relevant documents made available by participating stakeholders.
Assess the potential implications of proposed project activities, governance arrangements, and implementation frameworks on Indigenous Peoples' rights to territories, forests, natural resources, and customary governance.
Identify legal, institutional, or procedural issues that may require clarification or strengthening to ensure consistency with applicable laws, recognized safeguards, and principles of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC).
Identify issues that need to be clarified, addressed, or negotiated among relevant stakeholders prior to project implementation.
2. Assessment of Existing Grievance Mechanisms
Review existing grievance mechanisms established for project implementation, where available.
Assess opportunities to strengthen existing grievance mechanisms and provide recommendations consistent with good governance, accessibility, transparency, and recognized safeguards.
3. Development of Collaboration and Benefit-Sharing Options
Assess potential models for collaboration between Indigenous Peoples and prospective project partners.
Identify options for equitable benefit-sharing arrangements, including financial and non-financial benefits.
Recommend key principles and provisions for collaboration agreements, including governance arrangements, roles and responsibilities, transparency, accountability, dispute resolution, and monitoring mechanisms.
Provide practical recommendations to support transparent, equitable, and mutually beneficial engagement among participating stakeholders.
Results
1. Technical report containing:
An analysis of the legal, institutional, governance, and social implications of proposed project activities for Indigenous Peoples, including identification of issues requiring clarification, mitigation, or further dialogue to support informed decision-making.
Recommendations for strengthening grievance and dispute-resolution mechanisms that are accessible, transparent, and appropriate for participating communities.
Recommends collaboration and partnership models between Indigenous Peoples and prospective project partners, including recommendations on governance arrangements, equitable financial and non-financial benefit-sharing, and key principles for fair and transparent partnership agreements.
2. Technical advice and professional opinions, as requested, to support dialogue between Sangga Bumi Lestari, Indigenous Peoples, and relevant stakeholders during discussions related to project implementation.
Please Contact:
Interested candidates are requested to submit their application to hr@sanggabumilestari.org with the subject line “Name – IRFCI Consultant”.
