Back Consultant as Research Assistant on Biodiversity and Plastic Pollution

Program Overview

WRI Indonesia hosted the secretariat of Indonesia’s National Plastic Action Partnership (NPAP), as part of the Global Plastic Action Partnership (GPAP) which initiated by the World Economic Forum (WEF), as a bold neutral platform responsible for coordinating and facilitating the public-private partnerships working to free the world from plastic waste and pollution. The initiative aims to tackle one of the most difficult and pressing challenges facing our global commons – plastics pollution – in particular the plastic pollution of rivers, deltas and the ocean. The Government of Indonesia has made significant step by committing to reduce plastics pollution to the ocean by 70% by 2025. GPAP is supporting Indonesia to reduce plastic pollution to the ocean through National Plastic Action Partnership (NPAP). The partnership brings together top leaders from government, private sectors and civil society organizations to contribute in achieving national ocean plastic reduction target.

World Resources Institute (WRI) Indonesia has served as the secretariat of Indonesia National Plastic Action Partnership from 2020. As an environmental think tank, WRI Indonesia’s runs various projects align with biodiversity and plastic pollution, including Ridge to Reef, Marine Trends, and Global Ocean Account Partnership research.

With support from the World Economic Forum and Global Plastic Action Partnership, WRI Indonesia proposes developing a Biodiversity and Plastic Pollution Assessment in Indonesia to align with Indonesia NPAP activities in 2025 and National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs).

The secretariat of Indonesia’s National Plastic Action Partnership (NPAP), hosted at the World Resources Institute (WRI) Indonesia, is looking for a Research Assistant for Plastic Pollution and Biodiversity. The role will be based in Jakarta, Indonesia. This position will report to the Engagement Lead for Ocean and Plastic Waste, Senior Research Lead for Biodiversity and Plastic Pollution, and coordinate closely with NPAP and Ocean team at WRI Indonesia and GPAP team at the World Economic Forum.

Job Highlight

Research Assistant will provide essential support to ensure the smooth development of Plastic Pollution and Biodiversity research while maintaining its compliances with WRI Indonesia research procedures. Key responsibilities include conducting literature reviews, data collection, and analysis on plastic pollution, biodiversity loss, and waste management strategies. This position will be actively involved in field research, managing research data, and contributing to reports, knowledge products, and communication materials. Additionally, the Research Assistant will support the preparation of administrative documents (e.g., ToR) and engagement efforts with national and subnational stakeholders to support data collection activities and consultations.

This position will be based in Jakarta with office-flex working arrangement and travel requirement as assigned. Reporting directly to Ocean & Plastic Waste Engagement Lead/ NPAP Community Coordinator, this position needs to work closely with the rest of the Ocean and Plastic Pollution team. In support of WRI's DEI commitment, you are responsible for actively participating in these collaborative efforts by integrating equity into your work, our workplace, and the organizational culture.

What You Will Do

Research Management, Knowledge and Publication (80%)

• Conduct literature reviews on plastic pollution, its effects on biodiversity, and plastic waste management strategies (including ALDFG, EPR, and other relevant frameworks).
• Assist in data collection and analysis related to plastic pollution and biodiversity, including assessing plastic leakage, biodiversity loss, ecosystem degradation, stakeholder mapping and broader plastic pollution management issues.
• Support field research activities, including sampling and primary data collection through interviews, focus group discussions (FGDs), and other qualitative and quantitative methods.
• Contribute to the development and drafting of working papers and reports, including data analysis and synthesis.
• Assist in data management and organization for relevant research activities.
• Collaborate with the team to develop knowledge products and communication materials, such as reports, briefs, data products, tools, and blogs, to enhance the visibility of WRI Indonesia’s efforts.

  Engagements and project management (20%)

  • Support in developing administrative documents (e.g., ToR) relevant to plastic pollution and biodiversity research/study
  • Support in engaging national and subnational stakeholders pertinent to the Plastic Pollution and Biodiversity study, including for invitation dissemination and consultation

    What You Will Need

    Required qualifications:

    • Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Ecology, Marine Biology, Waste Management, or other related fields.
    • Minimum 2 (two) years of professional research experience
    • Experience in research, data analysis, or field studies related to plastic pollution or biodiversity.
    • Knowledge of key frameworks in plastic pollution and biodiversity is a plus.
    • Ability to support discrete elements of research projects with manager guidance, e.g. systematically reviewing and synthesizing existing literature; collecting, cleaning, organizing, analyzing and visualizing data.
    • Basic experience in writing section of knowledge or communications product
    • Proficiency in GIS mapping, statistical tools, or environmental modeling is an advantage.
    • Ability to work independently and in a team, with strong organizational and problem-solving skills.
    • Ability and willingness to travel when needed
    • Legally able to work in Indonesia

      Preferred qualifications:

      • Familiarity with policy and research discussions on plastic waste management and conservation.
      • Understanding of the intersection between circular economy principles and biodiversity conservation.

        Duration

        1 March 2025 - 31 December 2025

        Deliverables

        1. Complete all assigned research activities (e,g., literature reviews, data collection, analysis) within the agreed timeline and project scope.
        2. Contribute to the creation of at least two knowledge or communication products (e.g., reports, policy briefs, blogs) under manager guidance
        3. Research data and documentation are accurately maintained, regularly updated, and easily accessible for internal and external use.
        4. Database for all relevant research data are properly maintained and kept up to date.

           Terms of Payment

           Daily rate-based consultant with a maximum of 200 (two hundred) working days for the whole contract period or 20 (twenty) working days per month on average.

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           Contract Arrangement

           📚 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗮 𝗝𝗼𝗯 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗡 𝗶𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯! 🌍🤝 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗿𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗡 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗨𝗡𝗛𝗖𝗥, 𝗪𝗙𝗣, 𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗘𝗙, 𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗦𝗦, 𝗨𝗡𝗙𝗣𝗔, 𝗜𝗢𝗠 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀! 🌐

           ⚠️ 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐍𝐨𝐰: 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐚 𝐣𝐨𝐛 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐍𝐎𝐖!

           Individual consultancy contract (Part-time, limited term)

           What we offer

           • Consultant rate that is commensurate with experience and skills
           • Travel insurance for both domestic and international for any travel duty as assigned by WRI Indonesia
           • Access to the WRI global network
           • A workplace that strives to put diversity and inclusion at the heart of our work

             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), 23 February 2025. 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.

             Our mission and values:

             WRI’s mission is to move human society to live in ways that protect Earth’s environment and its capacity to provide for the needs and aspirations of current and future generations.

             Our values are shared ideals that bind us together: Integrity, Innovation, Urgency, Independence, Respect.

             Our culture:

             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. We are committed to providing equal opportunities in employment, we embrace all diversity and encourage women, gender diverse communities, persons with disabilities, Afro-descendants, and Indigenous people to apply. Recognizing our strong commitment to gender equality, WRI has also been awarded EDGE certification.

             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.