Consultant as Climate and Forest Researcher for Riau Province

Program Overview

The signing of the Paris Agreement heralded a new era in global co-operation to tackle climate change. Countries submitted their commitments in reducing Green House Gas (GHG) emissions to limit the global temperature rising by 2C through the nationally determined contributions (NDC). However, science shows these pledges are largely insufficient and without increased ambition and coordinated action we face a potential 3-4C global temperature rise. National governments cannot achieve the ambitious NDCs alone; sub-national government, business, capital markets and other non-state actors’ engagement is crucial.

Riau province offers a unique potential to showcase provincial level contribution for NDC. Riau is one of Indonesian province with high forest pressure. However, the province has taken major development in reducing their emissions in particular from forest and agriculture by taking part of NDPE (no deforestation no peatland exploitation), smallholders sustainability. In early 2020 Riau was selected as one of Low Carbon Development Initiative (LCDI) pilot province.

In Riau province, palm oil plantations dominate the economy by contributing to the GDP of Riau Province by 15.97% in 2020. Riau Province become the largest producer of palm oil in Indonesia, contributing almost one-fifth of national production in 2018. Therefore, palm oil is one of the important commodities in Riau because it produces vegetable oil which is needed in the industrial management sector. In addition to its economic value, oil palm plantations can support climate action and low-carbon development through the potential for carbon sequestration of 105.90 million tons of CO2e/year for a plantation area of 11.67 million ha. While palm oil production undoubtedly has significant benefits to the economy and employment of Riau Province, the sustainability of palm oil plantations and its co-products are coming under increasing scrutiny in the light of environmental concerns over enhanced levels of greenhouse gases (GHGs). The unsustainable management and uncontrolled industrial expansion can also cause environmental damage and increased GHG emissions due to land conversion, inorganic fertilizer consumption, etc. The emission from palm oil plantation at the provincial level are uncertain, since most research focus on national scale. Therefore, measuring the contribution of sustainable palm oil plantation management to national GHG emissions and green economy development in Riau Province is important.

Job Highlight

The overall objective of this activity is to provide support in terms of (1) Research, policy analysis and recommendation on moratorium policy and restoration strategy for Riau province; (2) smallholders and private sectors mapping and engagement for land use and forest changing to achieve Riau Province's subnational climate ambitions to reduce GHG emissions from the AFOLU sector.

What You Will Do

Research and Analysis (70%)

• Identify locations of remaining forest in Riau province based on spatial map and classification of the land-use cover.
• Analyze trend of deforestation and its driver, including plantation.
• Identify the impact of moratorium policy to the deforestation rate in Riau province.
• Identify role of stakeholders in halting and reducing deforestation and increase restoration at provincial level.
• Analyze and develop policy recommendation on restoration strategy in Riau province that can be implemented by the province according to its authority and budget to support “Riau Hijau” and low carbon development in Riau.

Engagement and Project Management (30%)

• Identify actors and stakeholders which has influence and authority related with moratorium and restoration policy in Riau.
• Coordinate and engage with relevant stakeholders at Riau province, including with the Provincial Planning Agency (BAPPEDA) and sector agencies (OPD), development partners, CSOs, local NGOs, and universities to support policy recommendation on restoration strategy as part of Riau Hijau and low carbon development program.
• Support the implementation of activities (workshops, discussions, research, capacity building) at provincial level.
• Coordinate with WRI Indonesia based in Jakarta and Riau province.
• Participate in meetings and workshops with partners and prepare relevant concept notes and meeting notes as part of project activities.
• Provide all necessary support to the project implementation at the province

What You Will Need

Required qualifications:

• Proficient on natural resources management, climate policy, and related issues of moratorium and restoration strategy on land use and forest sectors.
• Good coordination to relevant stakeholders in Riau Province, including Bappeda, NGO, academics, etc.
• Good understanding of quantitative modelling, statistics and probability and problem-solving skills
• Interest in and commitment to environment and national development issues
• Adaptable to rapidly changing priorities and able to manage multiple deadlines and deliver high quality work products
• Strong commitment to WRI’s mission and values
• Legally able to work in Indonesia

Preferred qualifications:

5 or more years of experience in conducting research with topics relevant to WRI Indonesia’s work

Deliverables

Deliverables

Time frame

Identification of location of remaining forest and stakeholder mapping, in particular smallholders and private sector at Riau province.

-          Analysis of spatial map of Riau province and identify the remaining forest based on the classification of land-use cover

-          Analsysis of stakeholder mapping, in particular smallholders and private sector at Riau province

March – April 2023

Policy recommendation on restoration strategy to support Riau Hijau and low carbon development in Riau.

-          Analysis of trend of deforestation and its main driver within the recent few years (5 – 10 years)

-          Analysis of impact of moratorium policy to deforestation rate in Riau province

-          policy recommendation on restoration strategy to support Riau Hijau and low carbon development

May – June 2023

Duration

February – June 2023

Terms of Payment

Daily rate-based consultant with maximum of 18 (eighteen) working days per month.

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), 13 March 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, the LGBTQ+ community, 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.