Program Overview

Tanah Papua, a globally recognized biodiversity hotspot, is endowed with rich forest ecosystems essential for carbon storage and plays a critical role in climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts (Nurhasan et al., 2022; Parsch et al., 2022; Murdiyarso, 2015). However, these provinces are among the least affluent regions in Indonesia and face persistent pressures from industrial activities such as plantations, mining, and infrastructure projects, often pursued for economic advancement (Glorya et al., 2022; Austin, 2017; Obidzinski et al., 2012; Rifai-Hasan, 2009; Sloan et al., 2019). Initiatives like the Manokwari Declaration and Papua Vision 2100 have been initiated to showcase the provinces’ visions to protect forest cover, reduce poverty, and support Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs). Nonetheless, the recent reorganization of Papua into six provinces has led to a redistribution of administrative functions and areas, potentially challenging existing sustainability efforts.

In light of these changes, WRI Indonesia is focusing on two key questions: (1) In the wake of the recent provincial expansion, what sustainable development paths should the new provinces of Tanah Papua adopt to achieve meaningful sustainability at scale? (2) How can both domestic and international financial resources be leveraged to support development that is deeply anchored in inclusive sustainability principles?

This period of provincial transformation presents an opportunity to steer the development discourse toward reducing poverty, conserving natural resources, and fostering sustainable, inclusive economic growth. As such, the opportunity is crucial to explore policy options and effective interventions to achieve these aims. An integrated, holistic approach is necessary, one that acknowledges local needs, contexts, and existing systems, including special autonomy, decentralization, and development planning. For example, to maintain 70% of Papua’s land with forest cover, we need to consider how this goal influences overall provincial development plans, the implications of granting or revoking licenses for plantations on provincial income, and, inevitably, how alternative revenue sources can be developed if forest conversion is limited—all of which require thorough examination.

Moreover, our initiatives also respond to emerging financing mechanisms for supporting the implementation of sustainability policies in Tanah Papua, such as the endowment fund established by Intergovernmental Fiscal Law No. 1 in 2022 and Special Autonomy Regulation No. 107 in 2021, fiscal transfers considering the forest cover indicator (Government Regulation No. 37 of 2023), and the carbon economic value instrument (Presidential Regulation No. 98 of 2021)—which among, or what combinations of, could be more effectively utilized for the sustainability objectives of Tanah Papua?

Capitalizing on this momentum to achieve sustainability in Tanah Papua requires detailed policy measures that can be effectively implemented within the current systems and capacities. An integrated approach will help to avoid the contradictions that often arise when sustainability policies are developed in isolation and necessitate much more strategic economic models and financing options for realizing such ambition.

Job Highlight

The Climate Finance and Sustainability Specialist will be responsible for ensuring the high-quality delivery of research and policy advocacy components within two key initiatives: (1) the Endowment Fund for Sustainability and (2) Developing New Provincial Pathways for Sustainability. He/She will lead the development of sustainability pathway scenarios together with our expert researchers and systems modelers, and support the provision of evidence-based policy analysis and recommendations pertaining to natural resource protection, poverty alleviation, and sustainable, inclusive growth for Tanah Papua. Working with a multi-disciplinary team, the Climate Finance and Sustainability Specialist will critically coordinate, investigate, and integrate a variety of complex data and research findings into high-quality and impactful knowledge and advocacy products.

Reporting to WRI Indonesia’s Political Economist and in close collaboration with the WRI Papua Regional team, the position holder will be based in Jakarta with office-flex working arrangement to liaise with relevant national stakeholders and expected to travel frequently for research, engagement, and advocacy purposes in the provinces of Papua, Indonesia.

For the Endowment Fund for Sustainability aspect of the project:

Research (30%)

• Lead the analysis of provinces’ potential and shortcomings in establishing a provincial endowment fund for sustainability objectives, reflecting the economic outlooks, financing capacities, and fiscal arrangements in place.
• Support key engagements with relevant stakeholders for expert consultations on substantive and/or advocacy-related events pertaining to the endowment fund.
• Provide evidence-based ideas or support for substance in portfolio expansion initiatives.
• Produce policy briefs, data visualizations, method briefs, or op-eds related to the endowment fund, as assigned by the Line Manager.

For the Developing New Provincial Pathways for Sustainability part of the project:

Research (50%)

• Perform robust identification, mapping, and analysis to investigate the links and overlaps between public, private and blended financing, development programs, licensing, and the overall financial requirements needed to achieve sustainability in selected provinces of Papua.
• Direct the analysis of scenarios for modeling that synthesize insights from various teams, including landscape and spatial, the new climate economy, social, and legal and policy research teams.
• Facilitate critical engagement with modelers and external research experts to ensure that the proposed scenarios, desired data, and outcomes are congruent and strategically aligned with sustainability objectives.
• Produce a range of knowledge and advocacy materials, such as research papers, articles, policy briefs, strategic frameworks, or opinion pieces, that reflect and analyze findings relevant to the new provinces’ pathways for sustainability, as assigned by Line Manager.
• Oversee research assistants, particularly in conducting reference and literature reviews and gathering data for systems dynamics modeling.

Across both parts of the project:

Engagement and Outreach (20%)

• Collaborate with the research and communications teams across external stakeholders to develop compelling research documents and advocacy tools that effectively convey key messages.
• Support planning and execution of meetings, workshops, focus groups, and seminars that drive the initiatives forward and foster meaningful discussions.
• Support launch of strategic initiatives that enhance knowledge sharing and bolster the impact of cross-functional team efforts.

What You Will Need

Required qualifications:

• A bachelor’s degree in public policy, development, economics, or any related social science field with a minimum of 5 years of full-time, relevant professional experience.
• Strong research and writing abilities, capable of producing high-quality publications (such as journals and policy briefs) and assisting in the creation of reports and communication materials for high-level distribution (e.g., the science community, policymakers) in English and Indonesian.
• Comprehension of special autonomy and its fiscal context for the Papua provinces, including climate, forest, and biodiversity policies; sustainable development; and national and sub-national development, financing, and licensing frameworks, is a must.
• International working experience in the realms of climate finance or relevant sustainability policy.
• Demonstrated working experience with Indonesia’s public finance and fiscal decentralization systems.
• Demonstrated working experience with systems thinking and systems modeling for building development or sustainability scenarios.
• Proficiency in English and Indonesian for effective verbal communication with diverse groups.
• Ability to communicate research approach and findings effectively to technical audiences with limited support from manager, using compelling presentation skills.
• Ability to employs collaborative and consultative approaches to problem solving.
• Attention to detail and the ability to organize and manage tasks efficiently, ensuring timely and responsible results
• Integrity, a commitment to sustainability, local development, inclusivity, and a grassroots approach.
• A self-driven individual with a good sense of humor.
• Willingness and ability to travel to remote locations.
• Legally able to work in Indonesia.

Preferred qualifications:

• Master’s degree holder with a minimum of 3 years of full-time, relevant professional experience.
• Previous significant involvement with policy stakeholders in the West Papua province

Deliverables

1. Comprehensive research and data collection reports, including method briefs, data materials, etc. As assigned by, and with the approval of Line Manager.
2. Produce knowledge and communications products (policy briefs, op-eds, research publications), as assigned by, and with the approval of Line Manager.
3. Stakeholder engagement and consultation reports.
4. Monthly progress reports.

Duration

This position is expected to start as soon as possible for an initial contract period up to 31 December 2024 with possibility of extension according to the project needs, performance evaluation, 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), 7 May 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, aswell 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.