Strategic Research and Communications Consultant - Communications

This is a hybrid position which requires 8 days per month in the office. You can be based in our office in WRI Indonesia, Jakarta. Existing work authorization is required at the time of application submission as WRI is unable to sponsor any visa work sponsorship for this position.

Project Overview

WRI Indonesia is an independent research organization that turns big ideas into action at the nexus of environment, economic opportunity, and human well-being. At WRI Indonesia, we aim to bring innovations in research and business approaches in order to create the enabling conditions for Indonesia to achieve robust economic growth while respecting environmental and social values. We seek to contribute to the accomplishment of ambitious sustainable development goals through working with leaders in public and private sectors, as well as collaborating with civil society organizations, in turning big ideas into action.

Recognizing that freight transport is the backbone of Indonesia’s logistics system, carrying 80–90% of national goods movement, WRI Indonesia seeks to support the Government of Indonesia in transforming and decarbonizing the freight sector. This transition is critical not only to achieving Indonesia’s Net Zero Emission target, but also to strengthening energy security, reducing fiscal burden from diesel subsidies, and enhancing long-term economic competitiveness.

To accelerate this transition, WRI Indonesia, supported by Climate Imperative, established the Indonesia Freight Decarbonization Accelerator (IFDA) as a national multi-stakeholder platform that brings together government agencies, industry leaders, financial institutions, and development partners to align policies, investment pathways, and technical standards needed to scale zero-emission freight. IFDA advances regulatory reform for zero-emission trucks, develops rigorous technical and economic analysis to inform incentive structures and market design, facilitates pilot projects and industry collaboration, and strengthens data systems and monitoring frameworks to track progress. Through this integrated approach—combining policy advocacy, technical assistance, and cross-sector coordination—WRI Indonesia plays a catalytic role in aligning climate ambition with industrial transformation and logistics modernization, creating a clear and credible pathway toward a low-carbon, competitive, and resilient freight ecosystem in Indonesia.

Job Highlight

The Storytelling Researcher will support the strategic narrative development of WRI Indonesia’s Cities & Transport portfolio, including the Indonesia Freight Decarbonization Accelerator (IFDA) as a flagship national platform, as well as other initiatives related to transport decarbonization, zero-emission vehicles, MRV systems, urban mobility, and energy transition.

Working at the intersection of research and communications, this role translate complex research findings, quantitative data, and policy analysis into clear, compelling, evidence-based narratives that strengthen program positioning, inform decision-making, and enhance institutional visibility. The position contributes to shaping communications strategies, synthetizing insights from diverse sources, and ensuring that program message are analytically rigorous, strategically framed, and aligned with programmatic objectives, donor expectations, and WRI Indonesia’s broader institutional positioning.

While IFDA serves as a major narrative anchor—particularly in advancing freight decarbonization and energy security framing—the Strategic Research & Communication Consultant will also contribute across other Cities & Transport initiatives as needed, including supporting institutional storytelling efforts in coordination with the broader communications team.

The position reports directly to the Senior Communications Specialist for Cities and works closely with program managers, researchers, and communications colleagues. The role is based in Jakarta with office-flex working arrangements and travel requirements as needed. In line with WRI’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), the Storytelling Researcher is expected to integrate equity principles into research framing, narrative development, and collaborative work processes.

What Will You Do

Strategic Research & Insight Development

• Conduct structured literature reviews and policy analysis on topics relevant to sustainable cities and transport transformation, including freight decarbonization, zero-emission vehicles, logistics systems, and energy transition , to inform strategic communications across the Cities & Transport portfolio.

• Review and synthesize academic research, government regulations, national planning documents, industry analyses, and donor frameworks to identify structural challenges, reform opportunities, and strategic implications for sustainable cities and transport transformation in Indonesia.

• Translate complex quantitative and qualitative findings into clear, insight-driven communications products, ensuring economic trade-offs, policy risks, and national stakes are articulated accurately and aligned with institutional positioning.

Communications Planning & Implementation Coordination

• Support the development of quarterly and monthly communications plans for IFDA and other Cities & Transport initiatives, aligning research outputs, policy milestones, stakeholder events, and donor reporting timelines into a structured content calendar.

• Contribute to the development of priority themes, target audiences, key messages, and recommended formats for major program outputs.

• Track implementation of communications plans, flag delays or misalignment, and recommend adjustments as needed.

• Document performance insights and lessons learned to inform subsequent planning cycles.

Content Development & Editorial Management

• Draft, edit, and develop communications materials, including slide decks, social media content, blogs, website articles, press materials, and reporting inputs, ensuring clarity, analytical accuracy, and strategic coherence.

• Translate and adapt technical research and policy analysis into clear, accessible communications content tailored to different audiences while preserving evidence integrity.

• Monitor performance of communications outputs including media coverage, analyze engagement and visibility indicators, and distill lessons learned to inform future narrative framing and communications planning

Event & Media Engagement

• Develop press kits, key messages, and communications materials for media engagement efforts, high-level events, policy dialogues, and stakeholder engagements to ensure clarity and strategic alignment.

What Will You Need

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Policy, Economics, Political Science, Sociology, International Relations, Urban Studies, Development Studies, or other relevant fields.

• Minimum 4 (four) years of professional experience in strategic communications, research, policy analysis, or related roles, preferably within climate, transport, urban development, energy, or public policy environments.

• Demonstrated experience conducting literature reviews and policy analysis, and translating complex findings into clear, insight-driven communications outputs.

• Proven ability to draft, edit, and refine high-quality communications materials in both Bahasa Indonesia and English, with strong analytical clarity and attention to detail.

• Experience collaborating with researcher, policy experts, and communications team in multidisciplinary environment

• Familiarity with digital communications platforms, content management systems (CMS), and performance monitoring tools, as well as standard collaboration tools (MS Office, Teams, Zoom, project management platforms).

• Fluency in Bahasa Indonesia and strong working proficiency in English, particularly in written communications.

• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple competing priorities

• Ability to travel when needed.

• Legally authorized to work in Indonesia.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Familiarity with transport, climate, or sustainable cities issues in Indonesia.

• Experience contributing to briefing materials or stakeholder presentations.

• Experience supporting media engagement or preparing briefing materials for spokespersons and senior leadership.

• Visual communication skills (basic graphic design, photography, videography, or multimedia production) are an advantage.

Duration

15 April 2026 – 30 June 2026

Deliverables

Monthly consolidated report summarizing key activities, outputs, progress, and lesson-learned include but not limited to:

• Communications strategy implementation (including editorial plan) and/or progress report

• Communications aspects of event implementation and post-event summary report

• Documentation of stakeholder engagement activities, including summaries, key meeting notes, and follow-up action points.

• Communication material development such as carousel, press release, blog, op-eds, website content ideas, slide deck

• Contribution to website and social media content updates in coordination with the communications team

Terms of Payment

Daily rate-based consultant with a maximum of 18 (eighteen) working days per month.

How to Apply:

• Please submit a resume with a cover letter by 10 April 2026. You must apply through the WRI Careers portal to be considered. We may close for applications sooner if we receive a high volume of applications from qualified candidates.

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

• Final candidates might be required to take a certain test and/or to produce/share writing samples when needed.

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

What we offer:

• Consultant rate that is commensurate with experience and skill.

• Travel insurance for both domestic and international for any travel duty as assigned by WRI Indonesia

• Access to the WRI global network with the opportunity to exchange with and learn from passionate colleagues working at the cutting edge of their fields.

• A workplace that strives to put diversity and inclusion at the heart of our work

• The opportunity to join and get involved in different working groups and affinity groups to shape the future of WRI

• Commitment to hybrid working model with flexible working hours

About Us:

World Resources Institute works to improve people’s lives, protect and restore nature and stabilize the climate. As an independent research organization, we leverage our data, expertise and global reach to influence policy and catalyze change across systems like food, land and water; energy; and cities. Our 2,000+ staff work on the ground in more than a dozen focus countries and with partners in over 50 nations.

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: Independence, Integrity, Impact, Partnership, and Care.

Our culture:

WRI is committed to advancing gender and social equity for human well-being in our mission including equal opportunities in employment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, caste, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, or protected Veteran status.

Our Human Resources Team carefully reviews all applications.

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