WRI Indonesia is looking for Consultant, Biodiversity Writer for Wahana for Papua Program

Program Overview

In October 2018, the two Papua provinces signed the Manokwari Declaration, committing to become “conservation” provinces and to extend protected area status to a minimum of 70% of their land (equivalent to an additional 14 Mha), which would bring under protected status a third of the world’s third largest rainforest. The central government responded immediately by announcing at the 2018 World Bank/IMF Annual Meetings in Bali that both Papua provinces would become pilots for Indonesia’s first-ever low carbon five-year development plan (deeply informed in turn by the WRI/NCE-led Low Carbon Development Initiative or LCDI). Then, in May 2019, President Jokowi was re-elected and immediately made permanent the moratorium on issuing new timber and palm oil licenses in primary rainforest and peatlands across the country, benefitting all of Indonesia’s intact rainforest provinces.


The purpose of Wahana for Papua Program is to strengthen capacity in generating and disseminating evidence-based and locally relevant research findings that will help influence regional and national policy development for the above-mentioned purpose. We focus the activity in some priorities area in West Papua and Papua Province in analyzing research which address forest-related carbon-mitigation and adaptation. This is also relevant because over than 90% of West Papua’s territory are forest areas and are crucial for Indonesia to fulfill its NDC commitment. This area is often cited that it is the last remaining pristine tropical forest in the country.


This proposed program is divided into two main activities. For the first activity, the fund will try to improve the research competency of local young researchers. These individuals are selected from various institutions, such as local authorities, universities and local NGOs with interest in doing research and able to show proven track record of prior research activities. The second activity aims to gain insights from the local context especially in understanding aspects that are important to keep the forest intact. Over a year on from the signing of the Manokwari Declaration, Papua has yet to see a dividend that comes close to matching the scale of their commitment. Hence, insights from this research is necessary for the local government in formulating policies.

Job Responsibilities

1.     Consultant will responsible on the development and writing of bio-diversity analysis to support the implementation of “conservation” province. Key responsibilities for this task include:

·         Lead the development of working paper using WRI format;

·         Initiate data collection including interviews, FGDs, fieldwork;

·         Attend and participate in the relevant meetings and focus group discussion.

2.     Propose and finalize the communication plans of the study result for external dissemination in coordination with WRI Indonesia (Papua and Communications Team)


During the contract period, the consultant will work collaboratively with WRI Indonesia – Papua Region Team. This position is intended for those who are already living in Manokwari, West Papua and expected to already have a strong relationship with stakeholders in the region.


Deliverables

1.     First draft of the working paper – by the second week of June 2020

2.     Second draft of the working paper – end of July 2020

3.     Seminar on preliminary findings from the working paper – first week of September 2020

4.     Final draft of the working paper – by last week of September 2020


Job Qualifications

·         Master’s degree required in related field, such as environmental science/engineering, biology, forestry, geography.

·         Minimum 5+ years of relevant, full-time work experience.

·         Exceptional writing ability and strong quantitative and analytical research skills.

·         Good communication, engagement and interpersonal skills.

·         Detail-oriented and organized thinker who can juggle multiple, competing priorities.

·         A firm grasp of the theories, principals, and current state-of-the-art of landscape ecology or forest biology.

·         Familiar with the current situation in coastal management sector both national and subnational level.


Period of Work

6 months (April 2020 – September 2020)


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.

Consultant rate: Consultant rate is commensurate with experience and skills.

Qualified applicants should apply online through WRI career portal https://jobs.jobvite.com/wri/job/oA3jcfwS in order to be formally considered. 

Application close: 1700 (Jakarta Time), 10 March 2020. We will close the advert earlier when the best candidates are identified at earlier dates. 


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.