Back Consultant as Hydrologist for Nature-based Solution

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 threshold, 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 achieve Indonesia’s climate goal while at the same time improving the livelihood of the communities and protecting biodiversity, we work together with partners to mainstream nature-based solutions (NbS) as an approach to address global climate challenge. We aim to achieve this through research, policy advocacy, and creation of a community of practice to develop new financing model for forest conservation, advocate regulatory framework that are conducive for NbS approach, and development of multi-stakeholder platform to amplify and accelerate NbS approach in Indonesia and South East Asia region.

WRI Indonesia has joined with 7 other NGOs to form the Southeast Asia Climate and Nature-based Solution (SCeNe) Coalition in recognition of the scale of action required, the time-bound opportunity for impact and the risks to people and nature if we do not act collaboratively to speed up and scale up design and implementation of high-integrity and high-quality NbS. The extensive experience of these environmental NGOs in the development and execution of NbS offers a powerful, shared platform to inform and influence this rapidly growing sector.

The SCeNe Coalition is aimed to develop NbS Tool and Website for Southeast Asia Climate and Nature-based Solution (SCeNe) Coalition. The tool will help to identify high impact future NbS opportunities, ensuring a targeted pipeline of NbS supply that focus on geographies with the highest conservation, social development and carbon potential. This tool will also help to validate triple benefit quality, giving the projects additional scientific credibility; to ensure finance is flowing transparently; and to increase ecosystem participation.

Southeast Asia Climate and Nature-based Solution (SCeNe) Coalition

WRI Indonesia has joined with 7 other NGOs to form the Southeast Asia Climate and Nature-based Solution (SCeNe) Coalition in recognition of the scale of action required, the time-bound opportunity for impact and the risks to people and nature if we do not act collaboratively to speed up and scale up design and implementation of high-integrity and high-quality NbS. The extensive experience of these environmental NGOs in the development and execution of NbS offers a powerful, shared platform to inform and influence this rapidly growing sector. In the first three years, the Coalition will focus on three inter-connected workstreams that together will scale NbS in the region: i) define the opportunities of where ‘triple benefit’ NbS investment should be made; ii) showcase high-integrity projects to inspire others; and iii) support national and local organizations to access carbon finance and secure funds for conservation.

The SCeNe Coalition is aimed to develop Triple Benefit Tools and Website for Southeast Asia Climate and Nature-based Solution (SCeNe) Coalition. Triple Benefit Tool will help to identify high impact future NbS opportunities, ensuring a targeted pipeline of NbS supply that focus on geographies with the highest conservation, social development and carbon potential.This tool will also help to validate triple benefit quality, giving the projects additional scientific credibility; to ensure finance is flowing transparently; and to increase ecosystem participation.

Land and Carbon Lab (LCL)

Land and Carbon Lab is a global partnership of leading scientists and technologist that aims to bring global land monitoring system with unprecedented transparency and accuracy—lays the foundation for the infrastructure and underlaying technology that will be critical to support Indonesia to transform its land use management. WRI Indonesia will support development of robust and aligned methods for measuring and reporting the impacts (“triple benefits”) of nature-based solutions, which can be aligned with other NbS financing initiative.

RIMBA Project

WRI Indonesia is currently supporting the Ministry of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/National Land Agency (ATR/BPN) in implementing the RIMBA Ecosystem Connectivity project in three forest landscape clusters in Riau, Jambi, and West Sumatra. This project aims to save biodiversity and enhance carbon stocks, while also enhancing the forest ecosystem connectivity through environmentally sustainable economic development throughout the crucial RIMBA Corridor in Sumatra. On the specific sites such as Kerinci and Merangin, we will conduct socio economic research on Willingness to Pay (WTP) and Willingness to Accept (WTP) on water ecosystem services. The research will focus on supporting the development of market-based approaches like water trading schemes, payment for ecosystem services (PES), and environmental markets where stakeholders can trade water rights or credits for ecosystem services. This research is crucial for creating informed, effective, and equitable environmental policies and practices. This will also provide valuable insights into the economic, social, and behavioural aspects of water resource management, helping to balance the needs of ecosystems with those of communities and other relevant stakeholders.

Job Highlight

Hydrologist for Nature-based Solution will drive essential hydrological research to enhance the Nature-based Solution (NbS) Tool for the Southeast Asia Climate and Nature-based Solution (SCeNe) Coalition and broader research on Nature-based Solution With focus on integrating hydrological data to improve climate adaptation and comunity resilience. The responsibilities include assessing water ecosystem services, watershed management, and their impact on climate adaptation and community resilience, design and execution of socio-economic research for watershed management, support the development of carbon financing standards, and ensure the integration of hydrological data,. Additionally, this position will support the RIMBA Ecosystem Connectivity initiative by conducting research and assessments on water ecosystem services, including socio-economic studies such as Willingness to Pay (WTP) and Willingness to Accept (WTA) for environmental water services,support the development of market-based approaches like water trading schemes and payment for ecosystem services (PES), ensuring the sustainable management of water resources within critical ecosystems in Kerinci and Merangin region.

Reporting to the Geospatial Research Lead, this position will be based in Jakarta with office-flex working arrangament and expected to conduct travel (domestic and international) as needed.

What You Will Do

Research (80%):

• Conduct hydrological assessments that inform the development and refinement of the NbS Tool, with a focus on water ecosystem services and watershed management.
• Analyze and report on the hydrological aspects of nature-based solutions, contributing to the “triple benefits” framework (biodiversity, climate, and social) used in NbS projects.
• Collaborate with Geospatial Research Lead and other team members to integrate hydrological data into the NbS Tool, ensuring accurate representation of water-related ecosystem services.
• Support the development of hydrological models that assess the impact of NbS on watershed dynamics, water resource management, and climate adaptation.
• Conduct in-depth hydrological assessments focusing on water ecosystem services within the RIMBA Corridor, with a particular emphasis on socio-economic aspects like WTP and WTA for environmental water services.
• Coordinate data collection, including household surveys on water usage, to inform the development of hydropower and other water-related ecosystem services in Kerinci Regency.
• Develop hydrological models and management schemes for the sustainable use and provision of environmental water services, supporting the broader goals of the RIMBA project.
• Investigate and report on the impacts of human activities on water ecosystems and how nature-based solutions can mitigate these effects.

  Project Management and Reporting (20%):

  • Collaborate with the Geospatial Research Lead, Forest and Land Use Governance Specialist and other team members to ensure the successful integration of hydrological research into the RIMBA project.
  • Prepare regular reports on hydrological research activities, progress on NbS Tool development, and stakeholder engagement for internal and external audiences.
  • Support the Geospatial Research Lead and other team members to ensure that hydrological considerations are effectively incorporated into project deliverables.

    What You Will Need

    • A Bachelor’s degree in Hydrology, Environmental Engineering, Water Resource Management, or a related field. A Master’s degree is preferred.
    • A minimum of 5 years of experience in hydrological research, water resource management, or a related field, preferably within the context of nature-based solutions or environmental conservation.
    • Experience in socio-economic research and the integration of hydrological data into broader environmental assessments.
    • Proficiency in hydrological modeling (i.e. SWAT model, InVEST), GIS, and data visualization tools.
    • Ability to support discrete elements of research projects with limited manager guidance, e.g. systematically reviewing, analyzing and synthesizing existing literature; collecting, cleaning, organizing, and visualizing data.
    • Strong analytical and research skill supported with ability to employs collaborative and consultative approaches to problem-solving.
    • Strong writing and research skills supported with the ability to communicate effectively to technical and non-technical audience using compelling presentation skills in both Bahasa Indonesia and English.
    • Self-motivated, detail-oriented, and organized individual with a proven ability to manage multiple priorities
    • Experience in stakeholder engagement and capacity building, particularly in the context of water resource management and NbS projects.
    • Ability and willingness to travel (including to remote area) as required, to conduct fieldwork and engagement activities with local communities and stakeholders
    • Legally able to work in Indonesia

      Duration

      This position is expected to start immediately and continue through 31 December 2024, with the possibility of extension based on performance, project needs, and budget availability.

      Deliverables

      1. Comprehensive data sets from hydrological assessments for WTP/WTA studies.
      2. Integrated hydrological data for the NbS Tool, including models and visualizations that inform decision-making processes.
      3. Comprehensive data analysis to develop carbon financing standard templates and documentation for watershed management
      4. Monthly reports on hydrological research progress
      5. Final project report summarizing key hydrological findings, the effectiveness of NbS interventions, and recommendations for future projects.
      6. Draft of Technical Note that highlight the role of hydrology in