Call for Expression of Interest: Independent Investigation of a Complaint

The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) Complaints System is a fair, transparent, and impartial process designed to duly handle and address complaints against RSPO Members. In resolving complaints, the Complaints Panel may appoint independent investigators or experts in any relevant field and consider their reports.

To support the Complaints Panel’s investigation(s), the RSPO Secretariat is now seeking an independent investigator or expert to conduct an independent investigation regarding an active Complaint (Link to the Case Tracker: click here).

QUALIFICATIONS

Interested individuals or consulting firms should meet the minimum requirements below: 

1. Regional expertise: Based in Latin America, preferably with specific experience working in Colombia.
2. Relevant sector experience: Proven track record in conducting similar investigations or studies within the palm oil sector and/or the agriculture industry.
3. Language proficiency: Fluent in English and Spanish – both written and spoken.
4. Independence and impartiality: Must not have any conflict of interest with the Respondent (Oleoflores S A S), the Complainant, any entities or individuals listed in the Complaint, or members of the RSPO Secretariat.
5. RSPO knowledge: Demonstrated knowledge of RSPO Key Documents and their interpretation. 
6. Legal expertise and social context: Knowledge of Colombian laws and regulatory frameworks relevant to:
   1. Land tenure (including customary land rights)
   2. Land acquisition and restitution processes
   3. Land dispossession, armed conflicts,  and socio-environmental conflicts
   4. Rights of displaced populations, rural, peasant and Afro-descendent communities
   5. Environmental protection and natural resource (i.e., water) management
7. Human Rights & FPIC competency: Demonstrated strong understanding of the principles and implementation of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC), and other applicable human rights standards in relation to customary land rights, rural conflicts, and the protection of Indigenous and local communities, including human rights defenders.
8. Social & environmental impact knowledge: Demonstrated experience in assessing social and environmental impacts, particularly regarding High Conservation Value (HCV) areas and freshwater ecosystems.
9. Analytical & reporting competency: Proven ability to independently analyse multidisciplinary data from various sources (e.g., community interviews, legal documents, environmental assessments, maps, geo-referenced data, etc.) and produce comprehensive findings in line with the investigation objectives set out in item (2) above.

APPLICATIONS

Interested parties are invited to submit their proposals, including the following information in their expressions of interest:

1. A brief statement expressing the rationale for the application based on the qualifications required.
2. An overall work plan and timeline, including a fee quote.
3. Curriculum Vitae(s).
4. Examples of similar or previous projects demonstrating the ability to undertake work of a similar nature.
5. Declaration of any potential conflicts of interest with the related parties.
6. All documents submitted in response to the Terms of Reference (ToR) must be written in English.

For more information, please refer to the Terms of Reference (ToR) attached.

All applications must be emailed to [email protected] and copied to [email protected] by 5:30 PM (UTC-5) on 18 July 2025. Should you have any queries, please contact [email protected]. 

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. The appointment of the successful candidate will be made by the RSPO Secretariat in consultation with the Complaints Panel.