Consultant as Field Research Coordinator (Based in: Jambi, Padang, and Pekanbaru)

Program 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.

Within our Food-Land-Water (FLW) Program, we envision critical ecosystems such as forests and peatland across Indonesia to be governed fairly and sustainably. We believe sustainable land use management is key for Indonesia to meet its climate goal, in line with keeping the global climate target below the 1.5 degree Celcius warming threshold, while providing sustainable livelihoods to forest-dependent communities and conserve biodiversity in the landscape. We intend to achieve this through safeguarding the remaining forest and peatland from deforestation, degradation, and fragmentation; maintaining forests and peatland quality through sound stewardship; and restoring degraded ecosystem to improve its productivity, conservation value, and ecosystem services.

To achieve Indonesia’s climate goal while at the same time improving the livelihood of the communities and protecting biodiversity, we work together with partners to mainstream nature-based solutions (NbS) as an approach to address global climate challenge. We aim to achieve this through research, policy advocacy, and creation of a community of practice to develop new financing model for forest conservation, advocate regulatory framework that are conducive for NbS approach, and development of multi-stakeholder platform to amplify and accelerate NbS approach in Indonesia and South East Asia region.

Currently, we are supporting Governement of Indonesia in implementing the RIMBA Ecosystem Connectivity project in three forest landscape clusters in Riau, Jambi, and West Sumatra. The primary goal of this project is to save biodiversity and enhance carbon stocks, while also enhancing the forest ecosystem connectivity through environmentally sustainable economic development throughout the crucial RIMBA Corridor in Sumatra.

WRI Indonesia is conducting comprehensive studies to enhance the management of the RIMBA corridor by integrating green economy principles. Our objective is to evaluate and promote behavioral changes among stakeholders towards sustainable economic practices. Our model emphasizes implementing spatial planning functions that support water service mechanisms for micro-hydro (PLTMH) and hydroelectric power plants (PLTA). Additionally, we are dedicated to developing and advocating for nature-based solutions (NbS) to address environmental challenges such as erosion, landslides, and flooding. These NbS include reforestation and afforestation to stabilize soil, wetland restoration to improve water retention, agroforestry practices to reduce erosion, riparian buffer zones to protect water bodies, and community-based conservation programs to engage local stakeholders. Through these efforts, we aim to create resilient landscapes that provide long-term benefits for biodiversity, climate regulation, and community livelihoods in the RIMBA corridor.

Job Highlight

The Field Research Coordinator will play a critical role in ensuring the successful execution and completion of our studies within the RIMBA corridor. This position requires a commitment to conducting high-quality research and involves extensive coordination with stakeholders, including the Project Implementation Unit Leaders in targeted cities: Jambi, Riau, and West Sumatra. The Field Research Coordinator will oversee and manage a team of field researchers and enumerators responsible for data collection within the assigned work location

The Field Research Coordinator will be based in each targeted cities: Kota Jambi; Kota Pekanbaru; Kota Padang, and will travel frequently to designated regencies. The position holder will report to NbS Governance Specialist and work closely with NbS Manager, Geospatial Research Lead and West Sumatra and Riau Senior Program Lead, PIU (Project Implementation Unit) and PMU (Project Management Unit) of ATR/BPN, and partners who implementing similar programs, as well as relevant government agencies, private sectors, local authorities, and NGO/CSOs.

What You Will Do

Research (70%)

• Collect primary data and secondary data to support WRI Indonesia’s studies on analysing attitude changes towards green economy and identifying potential nature-based solutions in the three (3) RIMBA clusters to guide a sustainable future
• Conduct a survey on the attitudes change of stakeholders, including government institutions, communities, private sector, and NGOs in at least
• Manage and document all collected data following standard/guidance provided by the Research Lead
• Support the Research lead dentify enablers and blockers of positive attitude changes towards a green economy
• Collect secondary data from Government bodies and Stakeholders in targeted city that are involved in RIMBA Project to support analysis of potential nature-based solutions in the three (3) RIMBA clusters to guide a sustainable future
• Conduct interview with Government bodies and Stakeholders in targeted city that are involved in RIMBA Project to identify potential funding scheme for nature-based Solution
• Ensuring the research conducted meets the highest standards of quality and integrity, contributing valuable insights to our studies;
• Conducting collection, management, and analysis of data, ensuring it is systematically organized and accessible for further research and reporting.
• Overseeing all field research activities in targeted city to ensure they are carried out efficiently and effectively, meeting project timelines and objectives;

Outreach and Stakeholder Engagement (30%)

• Lead all coordination with Project Implementation Unit Leaders in targeted city, government bodies and other stakeholders in ensuring clear communication and collaboration for RIMBA project
• Support the development of outreach materials, training modules and plan, as well as implementation of general outreach and capacity building as necessary.
• Represent WRI Indonesia in any event related to Rimba Project in targeted city in coordination with West Sumatra and Riau Senior Program Lead
• Support the NbS Manager, Reseaech Lead, Senior Manager of Sumatra actively communicate and liaise with the partners who are implementing similar programs, relevant government agencies, private sectors, local authorities, and NGO/CSOs in the prioritized sites.

What You Will Need

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental study, geography, forestry, or any other related field. Master’s degree is preferred.
• Minimum 3 years of full-time work research experience in environment and/or climate change study.
• Currently based in Kota Jambi,Kota Padang, or Kota Pekanbaru will be an advantage
• Ability to support discret elements of research project with limited manager guidance, e.g. systematically reviewing, analyzing, and synthetizing existing literature; collecing, cleaning, organizing, and visualizing data
• Ability to communicate clearly, as well as express ideas in structured manner, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to communicate research approach and findings effectively to both technical and non-tehnical audience, using compelling presentation skills.
• Ability to write and organize project documentations, including project’s plan, implementation progress, reporting, and other necessary documents & data.
• Ability to manage professional relationships to effectively communicate with people at all levels and from various background.
• Highly organized and systematic with strong time management skills and ability to juggle competing priorities and deadlines required.
• Fluency in Microsoft Office Suite is imperative.
• Ability and willingness to travel when needed.
• Legally able to work in Indonesia

Deliverables

1. Primary data: survey data and report on attitude change towards green economy, and interview report with Government bodies and Stekholders in targeted city on nature-based solution potential
2. Secondary data: geospatial data, policies documentation, report, polies brief and other related documents to support the studies for RIMBA project
3. Report on potential funding scheme for nature-based Solution
4. Monthly report on research progress and coordination with stakeholders of RIMBA project in targeted city
5. Financial report and detail documentation of spending during field activities, if applicable

Contract Period

This position is expected to join immediately for an initial contract period up to 31 December 2024 with possibility of extension subject to individual performance evaluation, project needs, and budget availability.

Terms of Payment

Daily-rate based Consultant with maximum 18 (eighteen) working days per month.

Contract Arrangement

Individual consultancy contract (Part-time, limited term)

What we offer

• Consultant rate that is commensurate with experience and skills
• Travel insurance for both domestic and international for any travel duty as assigned by WRI Indonesia
• Access to the WRI global network
• A workplace that strives to put diversity and inclusion at the heart of our work

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 July 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.