Program Overview
The ASEAN region is a crucial site for peatlands, covering approximately 23.6 million hectares which represents 56% of global tropical peatlands. According to the UN Environment Programme, peatlands store twice as much carbon as the world’s forests. Over the last decade, human activities of draining and burning peatlands in Southeast Asia have turned peatlands from functioning as carbon storages into significant carbon emitters. Transboundary haze has become an annual event with severe implications on the climate crisis. The UN equates the carbon emissions from drained and burned peatlands at 10% of all fossil fuel emissions.
Responding to the above, the European Union (EU) awarded a grant to the Peat for Peat (PFP) coalition, consisting of World Resources Institute Indonesia (WRI), Yayasan Inisiatif Dagang Hijau (IDH) and Tropical Rainforest Conservation & Research Centre (TRCRC).
The SUPA programme consists of two components; the PFP coalition has been awarded under Component 2, comprising the Non-State Actor (NSA) scheme. PFP will collaborate over a period of three years with a budget totaling to €5 million with the goal to improve the ability of non-state actors (NSAs) such as local communities, private sector entities, CSOs/NGOs, research institutions, and financial institutions, to move towards sustainable peatland management practices that will reduce fires and haze in the ASEAN region.
PFP will serve as a platform to coordinate sustainable peatland use, management, and haze mitigation efforts across ASEAN countries. The activities will revolve around three pillars of data and information, business and investment, and outreach and advocacy.
The results of this collaboration will include:
· Enhanced and mainstreamed knowledge on sustainable peatland management through reliable data utilization, promotion of actionable research, and best practices implementation at a local level;
· Catalyzed investment and business model transformation of sustainable peat commodities; and
· Improved awareness, stewardship, and capacity of NSAs and communities to collaborate and be mobilized for sustainable peatland management and protection.
Job Responsibilities
The Business Research Consultant hired from the participating ASEAN countries (Indonesia, Malaysia, Lao, Vietnam, Myanmar, Thailand, Philippines and Cambodia) will work directly with the PFP coalition in Indonesia and Malaysia to research existing and design innovative business models of sustainable use of peatland and haze mitigation involving partnership with private sector supply chain companies, local communities (including smallholders). CSOs/NGOs, and public entities in the ASEAN region. As the PFP programme management office selects each cohort batch on an annual basis through an open call for proposal, the consultant will be responsible to provide business support to the selected cohorts. PFP aims to roll out three cohort cycles under the EU SUPA Component 2 programme. Pipelined projects in the prioritized region will require innovative business solutions and the consultant is required to collaborate effectively within a multi-stakeholder platform; in assisting the programme management office to identify, verify, document, and publish these business solutions; with the objective of improving economic, environmental, and social aspects of the respective business.
Primary objectives:
· Research the region’s socio-economic factors required to accelerate innovative business model for sustainable peat restoration
· Conduct stakeholder mapping on targeted peatland areas, identify project gaps and current sustainable business and agricultural practices
· Research existing and design innovative business models of sustainable use of peatland
· Work closely with PFP team members to implement selected PFP Business Hub’s activities with focus on preparing business models based on research findings (i.e. project gaps, current agriculture business practices, stakeholder needs and business proposal preparation for PFP implementation
· To connect PFP and cohort members to the consultant’s network of experts that may have expertise in fields that include but are not limited to peatland ecology, sustainable peatland management, peatland restoration, agroforestry, paludiculture, sustainable businesses, innovative financing and environmental accounting
· To provide updated reports on relevant and contemporary issues related to the sustainable use and management of peatland and relevant businesses, as well as governance and guideline related matters
· To work in unity with other independent consultants, country coordinators and cohort members to reduce the turn-around time of business documents sent to PFP for review
· Assisting the programme management office to identify, verify, document, and publish the PFP Business Hub’s solutions
Deliverables
1. Stage 1 Report.
a. Socio-economics factors required in the establishment of innovative business models
b. Stakeholder mapping on targeted peatland region
c. Current project gaps, agricultural and business practices
d. Existing innovative business models of sustainable peatland in the region of interest
e. Draft criteria/forms of evaluation for business cohorts
2. Stage 2 Report.
a. Updated research information with reference to Stage 1 Report deliverables
b. Recommended innovative business models and solutions of sustainable use of peatland in the targeted region through detailed business proposal to aid PFP Business Hub’s activity implementation
c. List of consultant’s network of experts in peatland ecology, sustainable peatland management, peatland restoration, agroforestry, paludiculture, sustainable businesses, innovative financing and environmental accounting
3. Final Report.
a. Updated research information with reference to Stage 1 and 2 Report deliverables
b. Consolidation of documents produced and analysis of project objectives and recommendation
c. Business proposal and business canvas on potential pipelined projects
d. Updated evaluation report on the performance of winners of cohorts and record of support from PFP’s Business Hub
Note :
The above deliverables are the expected outcomes to be delivered within the EU SUPA project periode (2019 – 2022), specific deliverables for the initial contract will be discussed further upon contract signing
Job Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
· A minimum 5+ years’ experience in a challenging leadership position within a business setting, such as an investment bank, commercial or development bank or private equity fund etc.
· Strong knowledge of international trade, supply chains, landscape and commodities in the ASEAN region
· Substantial experience in either business development, capital raising, and/or developing public-private partnerships.
· Practical and technical knowledge of legal and regulatory issues of investment requirements including fiscal and taxation.
· Excellent spoken and written communication skills in English.
Preferred Qualifications:
· A team player and able to adapt and thrive in a fast-paced environment.
· Research and results driven.
· Entrepreneurial and self-starter skills to proactively anticipate organizational needs.
· A practical approach to problem solving and the identification of opportunities, and ability to make clear and concise decisions.
· Ability to effectively deal with senior management and decision makers both internally and externally.
· Strong writing, presentation and reporting skills.
· Ability and willingness to travel; potential travels within Indonesia and to Malaysia, Lao, Vietnam, Myanmar, Thailand, Philippines & Cambodia
Period of Work
3 months of initial contract from 1 August – 30 October 2020 with possibility of extension subject to individual performance evaluation, budget availability and program needs.
Terms of Payment
Daily rate consultant with maximum 40 (forty) working days for the whole contract period. WRI will provide travel tickets and Consultant is entitled to per diem payment relevant to such travels which will be paid according to EU’s rules and regulations upon invoice submission.
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/oVMRcfwu in order to be formally considered.
Application close: 1700 (Jakarta Time), 29 June 2020. 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.
