In response to these developments, the Government of Indonesia has strengthened the Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO) certification framework through a series of regulatory reforms aimed at improving sustainability compliance, governance, traceability, and institutional coordination. Despite these efforts, significant challenges remain regarding implementation effectiveness, institutional capacity, smallholder inclusion, transparency, market credibility, and international acceptance. There is therefore a growing need for a comprehensive and evidence-based policy paper that critically assesses the current state of ISPO and identifies strategic pathways for strengthening its governance, implementation, and international positioning.
- Objective
The objective of this assignment is to develop a policy paper that analyses the current state, challenges, and future direction of ISPO across six interrelated dimensions:
- Global and domestic policy context;
- Standards and certification quality;
- Stakeholder acceptability and credibility;
- Institutional and governance arrangements;
- Communication strategy and international positioning; and
- Reform urgency and implementation challenges.
The study is expected to generate practical, evidence-based, and actionable policy recommendations to strengthen ISPO implementation, institutional effectiveness, market credibility, and smallholder inclusion within Indonesia’s sustainable palm oil governance framework.
- Scope of Work
The selected consultant/research team will be expected to:
- Analyze global regulatory developments and domestic policy evolution related to sustainable palm oil governance, including implications of EUDR, ESG-related trade requirements, and sustainability expectations in major export markets.
- Review the 2025 ISPO regulatory framework and conduct comparative analysis with major sustainability certification systems, including RSPO, ISCC, MSPO, and other relevant international standards.
- Assess stakeholder perceptions, market acceptability, and the credibility of ISPO among international and domestic stakeholders, including buyers, government institutions, civil society organizations, plantation companies, and smallholders.
- Examine ISPO’s institutional architecture, governance arrangements, implementation mechanisms, and inter-agency coordination under recent regulatory reforms.
- Analyze Indonesia’s communication strategy, economic diplomacy, and international positioning on sustainable palm oil governance.
- Identify key reform priorities, implementation gaps, institutional constraints, and market risks affecting ISPO credibility, traceability, and implementation effectiveness.
- Develop evidence-based and actionable policy recommendations to strengthen ISPO governance, institutional coordination, smallholder inclusion, and international positioning.
- Expected Deliverables
The selected consultant/team is expected to deliver the following outputs:
- Full Policy Paper: Approximately 4,000–6,000 words covering all thematic areas, analytical findings, and policy recommendations.
- Executive Summary: A concise one-page summary highlighting key findings, strategic implications, and recommendations for policymakers and senior stakeholders.
- Presentation Slide Deck: Presentation materials (approximately 15 slides) summarizing the study’s objectives, methodology, key findings, and policy recommendations, designed to support stakeholder consultations and policy discussions.
- Stakeholder Consultation: 2-page summary of key findings from stakeholder consultations, including major concerns, policy priorities, areas of consensus and disagreement, and implications for the study’s recommendations.
- Policy Brief (Optional): A two-page policy brief outlining priority recommendations and strategic considerations for broader stakeholder engagement.
- Qualifications
The assignment requires a consultant, research institution, or expert team with:
- Advanced academic background in public policy, international relations, economics, environmental governance, sustainability studies, or related fields;
- Minimum 5–7 years of experience in policy research, governance analysis, sustainability, trade, or environmental governance;
- Strong understanding of sustainable palm oil governance and certification systems, including ISPO, RSPO, ISCC, NDPE commitments, EUDR, and ESG-related frameworks;
- Proven experience in regulatory, institutional, or comparative governance analysis and policy recommendation development;
- Familiarity with Indonesia’s political economy and sustainability governance landscape; and
- Experience engaging with government, private sector, civil society, development partners, and smallholder stakeholders.
Please submit your CV and a one-page summary of relevant experience for the position to Nadila Simbolon at [email protected] no later than Friday, 12 June.
