Job Description

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 Agriculture, Forest and Land Use (AFOLU) 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 treshold, 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 effectively eliminate deforestation from key commodities production, and provide robust stewardship for the remaining forest and peatland, we work together with various level of government, private sector, and civil society to mainstream the ethical supply chain principles, and support forest-dependent communities to secure their land rights. We aim to achieve this through research, policy advocacy, and creation of a community of practice to mainstream sustainable land use management.
Smallholder Transformation and Global Yield Gap Atlas (GYGA) are project under the Supply Chain and Livelihood Transformation Initiative that aims to promote more productive and sustainable commodity production by actors along commodity supply chain. The project intends to achieve its goal through supporting smallholder governance, promoting incentive / disincentive, creating alternative financing, and direct engagement of smallholder to implement best management practice in commodity production. Our key partners includes relevant offices of Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), Local Government, Private Sectors, global initiatives, as well as NGOs.
Job Summary The Sustainable Commodities Research Assistant is responsible for the design and implementation of research related to sustainable and productive smallholder operations. This position reports to the Project Lead of Smallholder Transformation / GYGA project lead and works with the other AFOLU Program teams to support the implementation of WRI Indonesia AFOLU strategy.
Job Responsibilities The Sustainable Commodities Research Assistant areas of responsibility will include the following: Research & Knowledge (50% of time required)

• Conduct research and analysis on issues surrounding sustainable commodities, specifically issues related to policy and governance (laws and regulations, sustainable palm oil standards, state and non-state agencies relationship) as well as effective engagement strategies for building sustainable supply chains and transitioning smallholders to sustainability.
• Outreach and convening strategic stakeholders involved in research activities.
• Work with WRI smallholder team in authoring or co-authoring knowledge products and other communication documents (e.g., reports, briefs, data products, tools, blog).

Implementation of Sustainable Transformation of Smallholder Operations (30%)

• Implement programs related to research under Smallholder Transformation and GYGA portfolio at pilot sites by collaborating with WRI Indonesia’s team in Jakarta and regional offices (Riau, South Sumatra, Papua, and West Papua).
• Actively support and participate in the implementation of overall WRI Indonesia’s strategy in the Smallholder Transformation and GYGA portfolio.
• Work in partnership with government agencies, private sectors, and CSOs to develop collaborative approaches for the implementation of Smallholder Transformation and GYGA programs, both at the national and sub-national levels.

Project Management (20%)

• Assist Output Lead to monitor and managing project deliverables together with other key personnel in WRI Indonesia, WRI Global, and its partners.
• Assist the Output Lead in developing research manuscripts, project documents, and contribute to presentations and donor proposals, as needed.
• Document progress of activities and contribute to ongoing institutional monitoring and evaluation and donor reporting, as needed.

Job Qualification

• Legally able to work in Indonesia.
• Bachelor’s degree in economy, environmental sciences, agronomy, biology, social sciences, sustainable development, or a related field required.
• Minimum one year of work experience in a relevant field with strong research and program management in the area of sustainable land-use with a particular focus on sustainable commodities and supply chains.
• Direct hands-on experience in conducting desk and field research, writing reviews and reports in the area of sustainable commodities and supply chain, economic valuation, stakeholder inclusion, community participation, and governance.
• Strong interpersonal skills, working with people from a variety of backgrounds.
• High attention to detail, well-organized, and strong analytical skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in Bahasa Indonesia and English.
• Self-motivated and able to work independently and as a team player.
• Ability to travel when needed.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree or advanced courses in economy, environmental sciences, agronomy, biology, social sciences, sustainable development, or a related field.
• Having basic knowledge and working experience in sustainable palm oil, smallholder inclusion, or smallholder financing.
• Existing network and experience working directly with relevant stakeholders on sustainable commodities.

Performance Standard

• Responsibilities are expected to be carried out in a timely and satisfactory fashion with minor supervision.
• Must be capable of setting priorities.
• Ability to work well with internal and external stakeholders.
• Good communication skills for correspondence purposes, reports, and knowledge products.
• Ability to work well in a group/team as well as working individually.
• Ability & willingness to do business travel to meet project goals.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office 365, SharePoint.

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.
Remuneration: Remuneration is commensurate with experience and skills. WRI offers a competitive and comprehensive benefit package.
Qualified applicants should apply online through WRI career portal in order to be formally considered.
Application close: 1700 (Jakarta Time), 15 January 2022. 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.
WRI Overview 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 in order to secure a sustainable future for people and the planet: climate change, energy, food, forests, water, sustainable cities, and the ocean. We are passionate. We value our diversity of interests, skills and backgrounds. We have a flexible work environment. And we share a common goal to catalyze change that will improve the lives of people. Our shared ideals are at the core of our approach. They include: integrity, innovation, urgency, independence and respect. 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.
We have been growing rapidly: our staff has doubled in size over the past 5 years and our operating budget is now $100 million. Founded in 1982, WRI has a global staff of 800+ people with work spanning 60 countries. We have offices in Africa, Brazil, China, Europe, India, Indonesia, Mexico and the United States as well as a growing presence in other countries and regions.
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.
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.
The World Resources Institute (http://www.wri.org) is an environmental and development research and policy organization that creates solutions to protect the Earth and improve people’s lives. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, it is WRI’s policy to recruit, hire, and provide opportunities for advancement in all job classifications without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, parental status, protected veteran status, or disability. WRI’s global agenda requires a staff that is diverse – with respect to race, gender, cultural, and international background. Diverse perspectives and experience enhance the way WRI selects and approaches issues, as well as the creativity and applicability of WRI's policy research and analysis. WRI, therefore, encourages applications from U.S. minorities, persons from other countries (especially developing nations), and from women of all backgrounds.