Program Overview

Forests and tree provide food, woods, energy, and other product for people across the globe. Directly and indirectly, forest contribute to food security and nutrition as well as provide income and employment for many people, specifically for the most vulnerable group (HLPE, 2017). Directly, forest and tree provide nutrient-rich foods which linked to greater dietary diversity and higher consumption of fruit and vegetables (Ickowitz, 2022). Indirectly, forest can also provide income because people around the forest can collect firewood and charcoal and sell it. The income provided from forest can also support food security indirectly.

However, Indonesia lost 29.4 Mha of tree cover from 2001 to 2022. The number is equivalent with a 18% decrease in tree cover since 2000 and 21.1 Gt CO2e emissions (GFW, 2022). As a result, deforestation threaten food security in Indonesia and contribute to higher emissions. There are at least two big factors that determine land use change in Indonesia. First, population growth that increase demand for land to provide food and housing. Second, commodity boom, which made CPO price accelerated more than ever, increased demand for plantation land (Juniyati, et al., 2021). As a result, people’s access to forest decrease as the impact of deforestation.

Therefore, Government introduces social forestry to acknowledge the problem. Social forestry expected to support forest conservation as well as food security in Indonesia because local communities have access to manage and protect local forest (Dean, et al., 2022). On the ground, although social forestry ideally will contribute to people’s access to manage and protect local forest, but the implementation is remained unclear and demand for further study. Hence, WRI Indonesia conduct research project called “The roles of social forestry in climate adaptation and food security“ to deep dive through field experience how we can support food security through social forestry management. The study will be accelerated through the formulation of relevant policy advocacy to support food security by strengthening social forestry management.

There are several possible policy advocacies that we might implemented subject to the result of our research. First, policy advocacy to use village transfer fund (Dana Desa) to support social forestry activity that will improve food security. Second, policy advocacy to strengthen social forestry management in Kabupaten or provincial level. Third, policy advocacy through working group in social forestry (Kelompok Kerja Perhutanan Sosial) by facilitating policy drafting that will support food security in social forestry management.

Food and Land Use coalition (FOLU)

The Food and Land Use coalition (FOLU) is an initiative that focuses on an integrated, sustainable transformation of global food and land use systems to support delivery of global agreements including the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Climate Agreement. The Coalition brings together stakeholders across businesses. The approach will consider the many dimensions and perspectives of biodiversity, climate, agriculture and food production, rural prosperity, supply chain management, product formulation, diets, health and nutrition, loss and waste and security of supply. The project works under the umbrella of Indonesia’s Low Carbon Development alongside its sistering initiatives such as Indonesia Intact Rainforest Partnership (IIRP), Food, Agriculture, Biodiversity, Land use, and Energy (FABLE) Consortium, and beyond. In this second phase, the project is based on five workstreams based on the major expected outcomes: (1) improved food quality (securing availability of healthy, nutritious, and locally diverse food), (2) improved food supply & access throughout the agriculture and seafood value chains, (3) reduced per capita food loss and waste, both from supply and demand side, (4) nature conservation and restoration in sustainable jurisdictions, backed by permanent moratoriums, and (5) integrated, comprehensive, spatially explicit land use and marine planning at national and sub-national levels. In addition to working at the national level with engagement with decision maker and stakeholders on the Action Partnership and the formulation of Action Roadmaps to operationalize the Action Agenda, FOLU Indonesia also focuses its work on deep dive in selected provinces.

IDRC/IPLC

As the Social Forestry (SF) policy has in recent years sped up the provision of SF permits to the IPLCs – it provides an opportunity for communities to manage the adjacent forest areas. The link between SF implementation and local food security, however, remains a knowledge gap. Through collaboration between IDRC and IPLC project, we aim to amplify our impact in two aspects. The first is through our research project which aims to collect evidence from the field and commit analyses to fill the gap of knowledge regarding SF implementation and food security. This study will be done in two provinces: Aceh and West Sumatra. Second is through capacity building activities especially amongst youth to become more aware not just regarding SF but also climate change issues in general. We are hopeful by bringing more awareness to the youth, they could play a more active role in the development of social forestry implementation and become the agent of change in society.

Job Highlight

Policy Advocacy Specialist for Food System will focus on policy drafting and policy advocacy in the project locations (Nagari or Kabupaten Level) based on the study from LP2M and QBAR. The process includes, but not limited to, desk analysis, Focus Group Discussion (FGD) and key informant interview with local communities, local government, and relevant institutions in Social Forestry space. Policy drafting and policy advocacy is expected to emphasize the important roles of social forestry to support sustainable food system in West Sumatera, especially in the specific project locations. Policy Advocacy Specialist with the support of Technical Officer need to synthetize the study findings, stakeholders aspiration and also grass root needs to produce relevant policy drafting and policy advocacy in Social Forestry related to food system. In the process of policy advocacy, Policy Advocacy Specialist will need to ensure all supporting partner organizations, local communities, local government, and relevant institutions has strong ownership for the policy.

This post will report directly to FOLU Manager while working closely and collaboratively with West Sumatera and Riau Senior Program Lead, Environmental Economist, Food System Specialist, and the rest of project research team. The post holder will be based in Padang, West Sumatera with high travel requirement to each project location within the region.

What You Will Do

• Actively engage and support Social Forestry research in West Sumatera conducted by LP2M and QBAR.
• Write the summary of literature review from relevant and trusted sources on social forestry, food system and policy advocacy in food system. The summary should also include field assessment analysis in the project location and the best approach to do policy advocacy related to social forestry and food system in West Sumatera. These activities will supported by Technical Officer on the data collection for the drafting.
• Conduct stakeholder mapping and assessment to learn roles of each institution in regional level related to social forestry and food system to ensure project implementation or policy advocacy best practice.
• Develop Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) to support policy advocacy in West Sumatera, specifically in the project location. The SEP is important for next step in the development of FGD and Key Informant Interview planning.
• Provide capacity building and technical assistances for communities and/or local community group, and local government agencies to ensure they understand the result of the study in their area (conducted by LP2M and QBAR) and support policy advocacy based on the study.
• Actively develop and maintain communication and coordination with stakeholder in regional level to ensure the implementation of the study and policy advocacy.
• Conduct dissemination and policy advocacy meeting supported by FOLU Indonesia Team in collaboration with Technical Officer.
• Write policy drafting based on dissemination of the study, FGD and KII with relevant stakeholder.
• Manages critical issues, troubleshoots problems, and develops solutions to the overall processes of project implementation that involves partner organizations, local communities, and relevant institutions.

What You Will Need

Education:

Preferably has Master’s degree in sociology, anthropology, law, regional development, economics, environmental studies or any other relevant subjects

Experiences:

Minimum of 10 (ten) years of professional working experience in drafting policies and/or writing an academic report/publication on related field of subjects. Prior engagement in food system, forestry and environmental focus areas is desirable. Experience with West Sumatera customs is a plus.

Desired skills and abilities:

• Strong ability to connect research result to policy drafting
• Strong ability to synthetize the study, FGD and KII to be the policy that will support food security from social forestry
• Strong ability to work effectively with a broad range of stakeholders in the areas of stakeholder mapping, community empowerment and community-based participatory planning process.
• Ability in facilitating discussion, interview, and ability to communicate and collaborate with local governments, community, NGO/CSOs, and relevant partners in doing policy advocacy.
• Ability in developing capacity building materials based on study result and field assessment.
• Strong knowledge and have a direct experience on working with CSO, universities, village officials, government institutions at national and sub-national levels.
• Strong technical understanding of forestry and food system.
• Demonstrate expertise on social and environmental issues, especially pertaining to local wisdom.
• Familiarity with food system framework, sustainable development, and other relevant environmental-social economic topics.
• Ability to travel when needed (candidate should have a complete Covid19 vaccination and booster)

Deliverables

1. Produce summary report of literature review in food system, social forestry, and policy advocacy, includes field assessment in project locations. Reports from LP2M and QBAR can also be the references.
2. Produce stakeholder mapping and assessment to learn the roles of each institution in regional level related to social forestry and food system to ensure project implementation and support policy advocacy best practice.
3. Produce Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) to support policy advocacy in West Sumatera, specifically in the project location.
4. Produce policy drafting as the implementation of study conducted by LP2M and QBAR
5. Handed the policy draft to the regional level government to be published.

Duration

15 September 2023 – 29 February 2024

Timeline and Terms of Payment

Consultant will receive compensation upon completion of each deliverable with terms of payment as follows.

Contract Arrangement

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: To be formally considered, please submit an updated resume and cover letter through WRI career portal.

Application close: 17.00 (DKI Jakarta local time), 11 September 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.