Ecosystem Services Research Assistant will be responsible to provide technical and operational aspects in implementing and managing WRI’s key initiatives/portfolios in. 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 Kerinci 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.

RESPONSIBILITIES

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 Kerinci Regency
• Coordinate enumerators, providing guidance and support to ensure accurate and reliable data collection
• Identify sustainability plans and management of micro-hydro power plants (MHPP) to supply electricity at the village level in Kerinci Regency
• Conduct a study on the willingness to pay and willingness to accept environmental water services for hydropower in Kerinci 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 Energy
• 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 Kerinci Regency in coordination with West Sumatra and Riau Senior Program Lead

REQUIREMENTS

• Willingness to live in community locations and 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