Consultant as Ecosystem Services Research Assistant (Based in Merangin, Jambi)

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 Government 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.

 

On the specific sites such as Kerinci and Merangin, we will conduct socio economic research on Willingness to Pay (WTP) and Willingness to Accept (WTP) on water ecosystem services. The research will focus on supporting the development of market-based approaches like water trading schemes, payment for ecosystem services (PES), and environmental markets where stakeholders can trade water rights or credits for ecosystem services. This research is crucial for creating informed, effective, and equitable environmental policies and practices. This will also provide valuable insights into the economic, social, and behavioural aspects of water resource management, helping to balance the needs of ecosystems with those of communities and other relevant stakeholders..

 

Job Highlight

Ecosystem Services Research Assistant will be responsible to provide technical and operational aspects in implementing and managing WRI’s key initiatives/portfolios. The main responsibility will include implementing research plan; conducting and coordinating research to assess the WtP and WtA combining with FGDs and interviews; investigate the impacts of human activities on ecosystems; conduct household survey on electricity uses; conducting and facilitating regular discussions; assisting and organizing events and engagements related to the implementation of RIMBA project.

 

The Ecosystem Services Research Assistant will be based in Merangin Regency particularly on prioritized sites or villages that may be assigned. He/ she 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

The Ecosystem Services Research Assistant main areas of responsibility will include the following:

Research (70 %)

• Conduct a household survey on electricity needs at the village level in Merangin Regency
• Coordinate enumerators, providing guidance and support to ensure accurate and reliable data collection
• Conduct a study on the willingness to pay and willingness to accept environmental water services for drinking water from Mount Masurai in Merangin Regency
• Conduct data collection and observation on WTP, WTA, water ecosystem services, the use of electricity at household level, the community perception on green economy, and policy gap analysis using FGD, interview, and survey methods.
• Develop management schemes including institutional, governance systems, and mechanisms for the use and provision of environmental water services for drinking water
• Observe and analyze community perceptions on water ecosystem services including the utilization of hydroelectric power plant.

 

Outreach and Stakeholder Engagement (30 %)

• Liaise closely with NbS Governance Specialist and NbS Manager to develop strategies to implement research activity in ecosystem service, community livelihood and community-based business.
• Coordinate with Field Research Coordinator in implementing all research activities
• 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 Merangin Regency in coordination with West Sumatra and Riau Senior Program Lead

 

What You Will Need

• Willingness to live in community locations and/or work with various groups in the prioritized sites within the regency and/or Jambi province.
• A bachelor’s degree in environmental study, biology, sociology, forestry, or any other related field. Completion of course in Ecosystem Services, Protected Area Management, Human Geography, Nature Resource Management is preferred.
• A minimum 2 (two) years of full-time work experience or fresh graduated in relevant study, with experience research-based conservation program, community facilitation/empowerment, social forestry, and program management in the area of socio economic and or land use management.
• Proficient experience and knowledge in community capacity building, and stakeholder engagement.
• Experience in facilitating discussion, interview, and able to communicate and coordinate related works with private sectors, local governments, community, NGO/CSOs, and relevant partners.
• Familiar with ecosystem services, restoration, community-based conservation, sustainable development, and other relevant human-ecology topics.
• Ability to support discrete elements of research project with manager guidance, e.g. systematically reviewing, analyzing, and synthetizing existing literature; collecting, cleaning, organizing, and visualizing data
• Ability to communicate research approach and findings effectively to both technical and non-technical audience.
• Experience in working with private sector, non-governmental organization, civil society, and community.
• Strong interpersonal skills and experience working with people from various backgrounds.
• Perform excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Self-motivated and able to work independently and as a team player.
• 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 household survey
2. Secondary data: geospatial data, policies documentation, report, polies brief and other related documents to support the studies for RIMBA project
3. Report on management schemes including institutional, governance systems, and mechanisms for the use and provision of environmental water services for Energy
4. Monthly report on research progress and coordination with stakeholders of RIMBA project in Merangin
5. Financial report and detail documentation of spending during field activities, if applicable.

 

Duration

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 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.