Program Overview

Indonesia envisions that in 2045 the country will be able to transform its economy from a natural resource-dependent economy to a modern, competitive manufacturing- and service-based economy with high value-added to secure prosperity and social justice for all Indonesians. This transformation will capitalize on the country's maritime strengths by incorporating better ocean resource management to leverage the blue economy development for increasing environmental. sustainability as well as building competitive, innovative, and sustainable maritime sectors.

While oceans and the marine environment are vital for Indonesia's nature and prosperity, their true contribution is often overlooked in the climate change narrative. WRI Indonesia Ocean program has identified, at the very least, two devastating consequences if the status quo remains. First, the ongoing degradation of marine and coastal ecosystems will lead to a further decline in ecosystem function and loss of biodiversity. Second, Indigenous People and Local Communities living in coastal areas will face an escalating degree of poverty, increasing their vulnerability and limiting their capacity to adapt and mitigate climate change effects.

WRI Indonesia Ocean program has developed a strategy focusing on improving access to sustainable livelihood for indigenous people and local communities, measures to sustainably maintain and optimize the ecosystem services of marine ecosystems, and betterment of sustainable governance for marine and coastal ecosystems through inclusive and participative approach. The strategy will contribute to better governance for marine and coastal management by building policymakers' capacity to develop evidence-based policies through inclusive framework and active participation from Indigenous People and Coastal Communities.

Blue Carbon Governance Mapping

Indonesia expressed its commitment to include blue carbon, i.e. mangrove and seagrass as one of its measures for climate action. However, in order to do so, there are a number of requirements that must be in place from methodologies to regulation, and strategy. Against that backdrop, WRI Indonesia works under various different projects managed by Ocean and Plastic Waste Portfolio

Nature-based Solution to Sustainable Blue Food

WRI is conducting a four-year partnership (2023 – 2027) that addresses the intertwined critical challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss and food insecurity through applied research in nature-based aquaculture in Southeast Asia and the Pacific region. The initiative will drive research action on inclusive and sustainable nature-based aquaculture solutions to understand their contributions to biodiversity conservation, environmental sustainability and climate resilience, sustainable food production systems, socially inclusive development that engages diverse groups (e.g., women, youth, Indigenous Peoples), generating revenue to be profitable and equitable for farmers of all genders, reducing disease prevalence and antimicrobial resistance.

Job Highlight

Reporting to Plastic Waste and Ocean Manager, the Specialist is expected to design and conduct high-quality research on nature-based solutions on blue carbon particularly mangrove its linkage with people and climate. Responsibilities include data collection across social (including gender), economic, governance, and if needed ecological aspect; , conduct analysis on nature based solution, and , developing publication and knowledge products related to blue carbon governance and nature based solution. The Specialist will collaborate closely with WRI specialists and analysts across the relevant portfolio.

This position will be based in Jakarta with office-flex working arrangement and might require doing travel both domestic and international for various assignment and/or needs.

What You Will Do

Supporting Programmatic Excellence (20%)

• Coordinate with project team members to ensure alignment and timely execution of research activities
• Identify potential risks and build close coordination with manager and/or other relevant personnel to develop risk mitigation strategies
• Develop and implement monitoring and evaluation system to track research progress, performance, and impact, in collaboration with PMEL unit
• Prepare and deliver regular reports
• Ensure the research activities are properly documented for future references and disseminated to the relevant stakeholders
• Ensure the research activities complies with WRI regulations, standards, and ethical guidelines

Research Management, Knowledge and Publication (70%)

• Ensure the quality of research preparation, delivery and reporting as well as produce publication.
• Conduct literature review on blue carbon, mangroves, and their socio-economic and ecological impacts; assess gap and identify areas for further study
• Develop a comprehensive research plan aiming for a high-quality research including outlining objectives, methodology, and data collection strategies.
• Develop and implement an appropriate methodology for collecting social, economic, governance, and ecological data
• Perform high-level analysis to produce findings and recommendations
• Develop detailed reports, issue brief, presentation, and other knowledge product based on research findings to communicate results to stakeholders from various background
• Co/write or review reports in accordance to donors’ requirement, and/or knowledge products and WRI’s publication process standard and other communication documents (e.g., reports, briefs, data products, tools, blog) to raise the profile of WRI Indonesia’s works.
• Act as the point person regarding the activities on project. This involved the whole cycle of the research such as: identifying knowledge gaps, and conceptualization, planning, implementation, analysis, and report writing
• Ensure that all knowledge products coming out from programs are designed to deliver actionable results.
• Participate in discussions, meetings, conferences with key stakeholders.
• Identify and engage with relevant partners at the national and subnational level, in coordination with relevant program.
• Support WRI’s programmatic team in the development of research project proposal/s.
• If required, support RDI Manager in relation to research coordination.

Engagement (10%)

• Conduct research engagement with stakeholders international and national level.
• Along with communications team, contributed to write communication products, media coverage, and conduct media interviews to disseminate research products.
• Support engagement with government institution and third party for meeting the project requirement e.g. data, technical discussion, dissemination, and/or fundraise for collaborative research projects

What You Will Need

Education: Master’s degree in integrated coastal management, marine science, oceanography, marine planning, forestry, aquaculture, fisheries, natural resources management, international development, environmental science, public policy, political science, or other relevant fields.

Skill & Experiences:

• Minimum 5 years of experience conducting research project and produce knowledge products and publication e.g. grey literature and/or academic paper
• Strong familiarity with blue carbon issues specifically in Indonesia supported with strong analysis ability including measurement, reporting and verification
• Ability to support discrete elements of research project with limited manager guidance, e.g. systematically reviewing, analyzing, and synthesizing existing literature; collecting, cleaning, organizing, and visualizing data.
• Ability to define research questions with manager guidance
• Familiar with documenting the data collection, cleaning, and analysis process to make it transparent, reproducible, and accessible
• Experience in identifying and using suitable research and/or analysis tools
• Demonstrates ability to identify and scale the level complexity/sensitivity of potential problems; and effectively communicate the devised solution to the line manager.
• Ability to communicate ideas in structured manner, and communicate research approaches and findings effectively in both verbal and written in Bahasa Indonesia and English.
• Proficiency in using Microsoft product(s): word, excel, power point, notes, and similar app of other products and/or brands.
• High integrity, passion for sustainable development, and good sense of humor preferred.
• Highly organized and systematic with strong time management skills and ability to juggle competing priorities and deadlines required.
• Ability to travel to remote areas to do field investigation and stakeholders coordination.
• Legally able to work in Indonesia

Contract Arrangement

Full-time with fixed-term employment agreement for 1 (one) year period with 3 (three) months of consultancy contract apply before the fixed-term employment agreement started.

What we offer

• Salary that is commensurate with experience and skills
• Competitive and comprehensive benefit package
• Access to the WRI global network
• Opportunity to join and/or get involved in different working groups
• A workplace that strives to put diversity and inclusion at the heart of our work
• A chance to have an impact and to develop your career within a mission driven organization

Must have authorization to work in Indonesia to be eligible for this position.

Final candidates might be required to take a writing test and to produce two writing samples when needed.

How to apply: In order to be formally considered, please submit an updated resume and cover letter through WRI career portal.

Application close: 1700 (DKI Jakarta local time), 31 October 2024. We will close the advert earlier when the best candidates are identified at earlier dates.

This is a locally engaged position; Indonesian nationals are encouraged to apply.

About Us

Founded in 1982, World Resources Institute (WRI) is an independent, nonprofit global research organization that turns big ideas into action at the nexus of environment, economic opportunity, and human well-being. We are working to address seven critical challenges that the world must overcome this decade to secure a sustainable future for people and the planet: climate change, energy, food, forests, water, sustainable cities, and the ocean. WRI has a global staff of over 1,800 people with work spanning 60 countries. We have offices in Africa, Brazil, China, Europe, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Colombia and the United States, as well as a growing presence in other countries and regions.

The foundation of our work is delivering high-quality research, data, maps, and analysis to solve the world’s greatest environment and international development challenges and improve people’s lives. We work with leaders in government, business, and civil society to drive ambitious action and create change on the ground. Equally important, we bring together partners to develop breakthrough ideas and scale-up solutions for far-reaching, enduring impact.

Our mission and values:

WRI’s mission is to move human society to live in ways that protect Earth’s environment and its capacity to provide for the needs and aspirations of current and future generations.

Our values are shared ideals that bind us together: Integrity, Innovation, Urgency, Independence, Respect.

Our culture:

WRI is committed to advancing gender and social equity for human well-being in our mission and applies this principle to our organizational and programmatic practices. We are committed to providing equal opportunities in employment, we embrace all diversity and encourage women, gender diverse communities, persons with disabilities, Afro-descendants, and Indigenous people to apply. Recognizing our strong commitment to gender equality, WRI has also been awarded EDGE certification.

WRI Indonesia is national entity (Yayasan) associated with the World Resources Institute (WRI), a global environmental research organization that turns big ideas into action at the nexus of environment, economic opportunity, and human well-being. WRI work with various stakeholders in the natural resources sector to support policy and management that are both profitable and sustainable. WRI work with leaders in more than 50 countries for more than 30 years, with offices in Brazil, China, Europe, India, Indonesia, Mexico, and the United States.

Launched in early 2014, WRI Indonesia builds on WRI’s 10-year history in the country, and strengthens our impact on the ground. In the short-to-medium term, WRI Indonesia aims to expand its presence and portfolio to include projects in the climate, energy, as well as city and transportation programs.