Program Overview

WRI Indonesia is an independent research organization that works with governments, businesses, multilateral institutions and civil society groups to develop practical solutions that improve people’s lives and ensure nature can thrive in Indonesia. As Indonesia has set an ambitious climate target to achieve Net Zero Emissions by 2060 or sooner, it should be seen as a positive momentum for advancing climate action, and contribute to the global commitment to keep global temperature increase below 1.5°C. In this light, WRI Indonesia seeks to further support the country in meeting and beating its climate commitments in order to ensure successful transition towards low carbon development path.

Climate program within WRI focuses on four main areas: stepping up national climate action, advancing international climate action, tracking progress toward climate goals, and supporting equity and development goals in the transition to a zero-carbon economy. Our research evaluates the technical, economic and social benefits of climate action, as well as the costs of inaction. We work with national governments to design ambitious near-term climate plans that align with long-term temperature goals, and help integrate these into economic, sectoral and development plans. We help international policymakers advance climate solutions through negotiations and accords such as the Paris Agreement. We support businesses, civil society, local governments and other non-state actors as they pursue their own emissions-reduction and adaptation goals. We build tools to track global progress on fighting the climate crisis, inform good decision-making and ensure accountability for existing commitments. And we work with thought leaders around the world to accelerate adaptation efforts that will help vulnerable communities build resilience against climate impacts.

The ASEAN-China cooperation has played important role in promoting closer political and economic ties between ASEAN member countries and China. China has retained its position as ASEAN’s largest trading partner since 2009. Trade between ASEAN and China has more doubled since 2010. The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RECP) agreement that entered into force in January 2022 also include China and six ASEAN member countries, namely Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Lao-PDR, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Considering both China and most of ASEAN member countries have committed to carbon neutrality goals, there are immediate and huge opportunities to leverage these trading partners to accelerate their low-carbon transition by decarbonizing the embedded carbon in their trade flows.

Building on the above, WRI Indonesia in collaboration with WRI Global team and WRI China have set an ambitious target to leverage the strong ASEAN-China cooperation by cutting carbon embedded in their trade flows compared to 2020 levels through ASEAN-China Sustainable Trade project. The project will have two main components: i) providing ASEAN-China trade related carbon flow data to relevant policymakers in both jurisdictions and attract attention from other stakeholders to jointly take action to cut the said trade-embedded carbon; ii) Encouraging China and ASEAN member states to start developing sustainable trade mechanism to cut embedded carbon and reduce deforestation in the selected trade products.

Job Highlight

The ASEAN-China Sustainable Trade Project lead will support WRI Indonesia in leading and managing the project, as well as leading the research activities, policy analysis and stakeholder engagement to deliver project results. He/she should be able to manage and develop a dynamic project team, while at the same time representing WRI Indonesia in external forum/ events at national and international level, related with sustainable trade and climate actions. He/she will work independently under direction and supervision of WRI Indonesia Climate Manager and will work closely with other team under the Climate, Energy, Cities and Ocean deputyship.

What You Will Do

Project Management (40%)

• Lead and manage the of ASEAN-China Sustainable Trade project and provide strategic solutions to advance climate action and decarbonization at the ASEAN region.
• Develop project workplan and budget and supervise project team to ensure delivery of project outputs and timely report to donors and partners.
• Organise and lead strategic meetings and coordination with WRI Global Office, WRI China, as well as with donors and government stakeholders for smooth project implementation.
• Oversee project budget, including budget planning, tracking and monitoring with the support from Project Operation Specialist.
• Provide supervisory work and guidance for consultants working on ASEAN-China Sustainable Trade project and conduct necessary steps to avoid delays and address problems that may occur during project implementation.
• Provide supervisory support in organizing the operational and paper works related for project implementation, such as developing TORs, agreements, contracts, work authorizations and purchase orders.

Research (30%)

• Lead and supervise the formulation of research products, knowledge management, data collection and analysis. This includes coordinate with Research, Data and Innovation Senior Manager in developing the trajectories of research development.
• Lead the development of policy briefs, report and research paper on ASEAN-China Sustainable Trade, carbon embedded in ASEAN-China trade flows and regional economic integration issues.
• Review research plans and products, i.e., policy briefs, working papers, technical notes/ guideline, articles, reports, etc developed by the team.
• Able to generate ideas from team members, and having knowledge that will contribute to robust analysis and research on sustainable trade and climate policies within ASEAN region, and between ASEAN Countries and China.
• Contribute to the process of identification, organization and use of social and economic analytical tools that will be used to develop research and knowledge products.
• Support Climate, Energy, Cities and Ocean teams in international, regional and national sustainable trade, climate and decarbonization policy analysis.

Stakeholder Engagement (20%)

• Engage and liaise with various stakeholder, including policymakers, embassies of ASEAN Countries and China, business leaders, chambers of commerce, think tanks, NGOs, and donor to joint forces in decarbonizing ASEAN-China trade.
• Represent WRI Indonesia team in any external events or engagements relevant to the project.
• Maintain good communication with key partners from government, private sector, civil societies or communities.
• Play critical role in convening non-state actors on just transition issues and facilitate productive dialogue between stakeholders.
• Ensure close coordination between WRI Global Office, WRI China Office and donors to support executions of the project.
• Provide guidance on timely communication related products and deliverables, including media engagement, blogs, reports, etc.

Fundraising (10%)

• Contribute to proposal development under Climate, Energy, Cities and Ocean portfolio.

What You Will Need

• Legally able to work in Indonesia
• Master’s degree in Environmental Economics, Sustainable Trade and Investment, or other relevant subject. Good technical understanding on climate-economy-social nexus at national and international level are essential.
• Minimum 4 years of relevant experience working on environmental economy, climate, international relations and development issues.
• Knowledge of empirical methods used in trade supply chain and carbon counting are a plus.
• Experience with best practices in managing donor relationship, stakeholder engagement, organizing meetings with excellent understanding of ASEAN and China trade, climate policies, and sustainable development.
• Ability to tracks project monthly spending, develop budget and financial reports using funder/internal templates and to identify and map funder line items, and in coordination with both project and operations team on project management and provide detailed financial reports to senior team members with minimal supervision.
• Proven leadership and project management skill with proficiency in the use of a range of productivity tools for project management, team collaboration, and financial tracking and analysis including Ms. Office, Salesforce, and TM1.
• Experience in working and maintaining partnerships with multi-stakeholders, including the government, private sector, and communities.
• Highly organized and systematic with strong time management skills and the ability to juggle competing priorities and deadlines required.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in Bahasa Indonesia and English.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced office environment and cross-sectoral themes.
• Highly motivated, strong can-do attitude, proactive work style, and excellent organizational skills and work ethic.
• Problem solver who is willing to develop and share ideas internally and externally.
• Ability to travel to other cities or provinces in Indonesia

Contract Arrangement

Full-time with fixed-term employment agreement for 1 (one) year period with 3 (three) months of consultancy contract apply before the fixed-term employment agreement started.

What we offer

• Salary that is commensurate with experience and skills
• Competitive and comprehensive benefit package
• Access to the WRI global network
• Opportunity to join and/or get involved in different working groups
• A workplace that strives to put diversity and inclusion at the heart of our work
• A chance to have an impact and to develop your career within a mission driven organization

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 localtime),13 August 2023.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 and portfolio to include projects in the climate, energy, as well as city and transportation programs.