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%)
For the Developing New Provincial Pathways for Sustainability part of the project:
Research (50%)
Across both parts of the project:
Engagement and Outreach (20%)
What You Will Need
Required qualifications:
Preferred qualifications:
Deliverables
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
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, as well 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.