Program Overview

The latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) underscores a critical directive: humanity must unite in its efforts to keep global warming below the 1.5-degree Celsius threshold for our survival. This urgency necessitates a transformative approach to our economic frameworks to nurture growth and welfare in harmony with the sustainable stewardship of our natural environment and societal well-being. With these fundamental objectives in mind, WRI Indonesia seeks to address two critical questions: (1) How can economic systems and development at scale align with the protection of natural resources and societal welfare, and (2) how can we effectively mobilize both domestic and international finances to foster a nature-positive and people-centered economy?

These question are particularly relevant for the forest-rich provinces of Tanah Papua—a globally recognized biodiversity hotspot. The rich forest ecosystems of Tanah Papua, essential for carbon storage, are of global importance for climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts (Nurhasan et al., 2022; Parsch et al., 2022; Murdiyarso, 2015). Yet, these provinces are among the least affluent regions in Indonesia and are confronted with persistent pressures from industrial activities such as plantations, mining, and infrastructure projects, often pursued in the pursuit of 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 exist to protect forest cover, reduce poverty, and support Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs). However, the recent administrative reorganization of Papua into 6 provinces has led to the redistribution of administrative functions, which could present challenges to existing sustainability efforts.

The challenges also include major restructuring of the provincial economic landscape and revenue composition stemming from the expansion. As provinces that depend on national government transfer schemes for nearly 90 percent of their financing capacity, the reorganization of Papua into six provinces necessitates a reallocation of fiscal transfer revenues and a reorganization of sectors contributing to economic growth. Hence, it becomes crucial to understand the impacts of the recent provincial expansion and the associated administrative changes, on the economic outlook for Papua’s provinces, and their ongoing sustainability efforts. This is particularly critical as the Papuan provinces have been developing alternative financing models, such as endowment funds, following the enactment of Intergovernmental Fiscal Law number 1 in 2022 and Special Autonomy Regulation number 107 in 2021.

Careful optimization of this moment of provincial change can be pivotal to shifting economic systems and financing models towards poverty alleviation, natural resource protection, and sustainable, inclusive economic growth in Tanah Papua, Indonesia. The goal is to understand how such changes can be feasibly implemented, which underpins the objectives of this initiative. Moving forward, all the data and knowledge acquired are expected to contribute to integrating the objectives of nature, climate, and people into strategic development planning, financing, and licensing decisions at both national and sub-national levels.

Job Highlight

Under the supervision of WRI Indonesia’s Political Economist, the Public Economics Researcher will be responsible for supporting 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 support the provision of economic analysis on the public financing capacity and needs to achieve significant advancements for people, climate, and nature in the selected provinces of Papua. This includes developing indicators and policy scenarios for modeling purposes to realize such objectives. As part of a high-functioning research team, the Public Economics Researcher will be instrumental in critically integrating, documenting, and transforming a variety of data, research findings, and expert input into high-quality policy recommendations, knowledge products, and advocacy materials. In close collaboration with WRI Papua Regional team, He/She will be based in Jakarta to liaise with relevant national stakeholders and will travel frequently for research, engagement, and advocacy purposes in the provinces of Papua, Indonesia.

What You Will Do

Research (40%)

Endowment Fund for Sustainability

• Explore the latest fiscal policies and trends to understand how they can help set up provincial endowment funds under special autonomy arrangement.
• Support the calculation of natural resources revenues as potential capital for endowment funds.
• Gather high quality data and information through interviews, desk-research, and other relevant approaches to support research efforts.
• Support the production of impactful research, including briefs and articles that share our findings related to endowment fund for sustainability in Papua provinces.

Developing New Provincial Pathways for Sustainability

• Study the public financing needs and abilities of provinces, looking into the challenges and opportunities for improving climate, nature, and community well-being.
• Support with collecting, analyzing, and consulting on data for economic projection and development modelling purposes.
• Support the production of impactful research, including briefs and articles that share our findings related to new provinces’ pathways for sustainability.

Engagement and Outreach (20%)

• Assist in advocacy activities by providing expertise to key partners, as assigned by Line Manager.
• Support the development of knowledge and communication product in coordination with research and communications teams to
• Support in planning and implementation of meetings, workshops, focus groups, and seminars relevant to the initiatives.
• Employs collaborative and consultative approaches and a growth mindset to problem-solving, working with program and research team to deliver project.

What You Will Need

• A Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Political Economy, Public Policy, or Development Studies with a Cum Laude GPA from reputable universities.
• A minimum of 2 years’ professional experience in relevant economics research, high-quality research conducted at the university level will be an advantage
• Ability to support discrete elements of research projects with manager support, e.g. systematically reviewing and synthesizing existing literature; collecting, cleaning, organizing, analyzing and visualizing data
• Demonstrated experience in using and operationalizing econometric or statistical tools such as STATA, R, or SPSS.
• Knowledge of Indonesia’s public finance and fiscal decentralization systems and policies.
• Excellent communication skills both verbal and written in Bahasa Indonesian and English.
• Strong research and writing abilities, capable of producing high-quality publications (such as journals and policy briefs) and assisting in the creation of reports and communication materials for public distribution.
• Demonstrated impactful research experience in public finance, public policy, or climate economics is a strong plus.
• Familiarity with the context of Tanah Papua, Indonesia, including climate, forest, and biodiversity policies; sustainable development; and the national and sub-national development, financing, and licensing frameworks is a strong plus.
• Previous significant involvement with policy stakeholders is an asset.
• An understanding of, and readiness to further explore, how ecosystem services are measured and conceptualized, in both monetary and non-monetary dimensions (e.g social costs), is preferred.
• Integrity, a commitment to sustainability and local development, and a good sense of humor.
• Willingness and ability to travel to remote locations.
• Self-motivation, attention to detail, and the ability to organize and manage tasks efficiently, ensuring timely and responsible results.
• Ability to travel
• Legally able to work in Indonesia.

Deliverables

1. Production of research and communication materials, encompassing policy briefs, research articles, op-eds focused on the endowment fund and the emerging climate economy in Papua provinces, as assigned and agreed upon with Line Manager.
2. Creation of a comprehensive economic/financing framework for data collection and analysis.
3. Coordination and execution of advocacy meetings, expert consultations, and various events and workshops, serving as a resource person and facilitator.
4. Detailed documentation of project meetings, engagement activities, and workshop proceedings.
5. A comprehensive monthly progress report that include work progress, challenges, achievement, and lesson learned.

Duration

February – December 2024 with possibility of extension subject to the project needs, performance evaluation, and budget availability.

Terms of Payment

Daily-rate based consultantwith maximum of 198 (one hundred and ninety-eight) working days for the whole contract period or 18 (eighteen) working days per month on average.

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: 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), 25 February 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 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, aswell 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, the 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 Indonesiais 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.