Consultant as Legal Research Analyst

Program Overview

The project intends to respond to recent developments on Endowment Fund/EF or Dana Abadi in Indonesia, in particular, the developments in light of the newly enacted legal frameworks on EF, that is, the law on intergovernmental fiscal relations (Undang-Undang Hubungan Keuangan Pemerintah Pusat dan Daerah, UU HKPD 1/2022) and the Government Regulation on special autonomy in Papua (PP 107/2021). These legal frameworks offer a concrete and functioning proposal for an endowment fund. The two existing legal arrangements remain broad and consequently need further elaboration on what the endowment fund model and its management mechanism would look like at a more operational level in sub-national with special autonomy, like the Province of West Papua, Indonesia.

Papua stands as the world’s most floristically diverse island home to a variety of endemic fauna (e.g., bird species, birds of paradise) and carbon-rich mangroves possessing some of the highest carbon values in Indonesia. As sub-national jurisdiction with special autonomy status, provinces in Papua are granted authority to manage their own development agendas, including their ambition for sustainability as declared in the Manokwari Declaration in 2018. Nonetheless, the arrangement of special autonomy is under an asymmetrical decentralization with a relationship between national and sub-national level government often pulling to different directions (such as special autonomy fund comes with earmarking regulations that limit Papua’s ability to manage its allocations flexibly according to its development needs). Preserving such unique and rich biodiversity and ecosystem features may require more flexible but reliable funding sources beyond state budget funds.

The endowment fund (EF) concept has gained a notable spotlight over the last decades. The capital in an EF is invested, and only the interest rates are used for financing any chosen activities. As a financing instrument, EF has been advocated as a solution to help meet recurrent and long-term funding needs for various purposes. Its most distinguishing feature is the ability to operate like a funding pool that can tap into diverse – and beyond public – financial resources. A further feature of the endowment fund, unlike the conventional public financial channels, is that it is not limited by any fiscal year constraints, showcasing some degree of flexibility.

In Indonesia, EF has started to gain traction in the form of legal arrangements, as reflected in recently enacted laws and regulations. The sub-national government can develop its endowment funds as stated under Article 164 in the intergovernmental fiscal relations law, the UU HKPD No 1, in 2022. For Papua, the 2021 Government Regulation 107 on special autonomy also encourages the provinces in Papua to develop their EFs by sourcing their funding from natural resources and shared revenues from the central government. The drive to establish an endowment fund in Papua is there, yet a critical gap needs to be addressed, which underlies the objectives of this project.

Job Highlights

The Legal Research Analyst will be stationed in Jakarta with possibility to travel to West Papua, Indonesia, depending on the requirement of the project. The Legal Research Analyst’s main responsibility is to provide the team with a systematic and comprehensive legal and technical assessment of the compatibility and inconsistency between the Special Autonomy Regulations 107/2021 and the Intergovernmental Fiscal Relations Law 1/2022 on endowment fund (EF), as well as how that affects the prospects of establishing an EF as an alternative financing instrument for sustainability in the special autonomy jurisdictions of West Papua, Indonesia. The Legal Research Analyst will work together with a high-functioning research team to develop concrete and functioning legal and institutional proposals on EF and have them documented in the form of high-quality knowledge products (blueprints, journals, technical notes) and advocacy materials (decks, op-eds, briefs) ready to be presented to relevant policymakers.

In addition, the Legal Research Analyst will assist the team's outreach and engagement efforts and overall project management by participating as a resource person or facilitator or by offering administrative support as requested. The Legal Research Analyst is a member of the dynamic and adaptable team within the WRI Indonesia Agriculture, Forests and Land-Use (AFOLU) program. The Legal Research Analyst will be working closely with WRI's Papua Regional Team and will report to the Endowment Fund for Sustainability Project Lead.

What You Will Do

Research (60%)

• Lead in development of technical and legal assessment on:

1. The compatibility and inconsistency between Intergovernmental Fiscal Relations Law 1/2022 and Special Autonomy Regulations 107/2021 about EF
2. The implications of the two existing legal arrangements on EF establishment in Indonesian West Papua.
3. The legal and institutional proposals for EF establishment, by taking into account also the asymmetrical decentralization of Indonesian West Papua

• Systematically collect, map, and provide in-depth legal analysis on relevant laws and regulations (and other legal documents) about or related to endowment funds /special autonomy regulations and create reference tools for easy use by the team
• Work with other research and communication teams in authoring or co-authoring knowledge products (e.g., peer-reviewed reports and publications) and other engagement documents (e.g., method briefs, data products, background information)

Engagement and Outreach (30%)

• Present at public speaking occasions as a resource person as assigned by line managers
• Engage with key government stakeholders in communication and engagement activities related to the endowment fund for sustainability themes for the goals of forming partnerships and providing technical, advisory, and research support as assigned by line managers

Project Management and Administrative Works (10%)

• Provide active contribution in planning internal and external meetings, focus group discussions, workshops, conferences, and outreach initiatives pertaining to the endowment fund for sustainability projects

What You Will Need

Required Qualifications:

• Legally able to work in Indonesia
• Master’s degree in Law, Economics, Politics, Public Policy, or any related field
• Minimum 4+ years of experience as a Legal Analyst working with legislation/policy-drafting processes (Law/Government Regulations/Provincial Regulations) with hands-on experience in finance, development, and sustainability
• Business proficiency communication skills in both Bahasa Indonesian and English (written and verbal)
• Experience in developing research report in English and Bahasa Indonesian language, including experience in evaluating and interpreting various types of legal documents
• Willingness to travel to remote locations in Indonesia when needed

Preferred Qualifications:

• Understanding the context of West Papua, Indonesia; policies for Climate, Forest, and Biodiversity, Sustainable Development; and national and sub-national development planning, financing, and licensing systems in Indonesia
• Understanding the asymmetrical decentralization concept, and its fiscal implications to sub-national jurisdictions in Indonesia is strongly preferred
• Prior significant engagement with relevant policymakers in finance, climate, and sustainability, preferably in West Papua, Indonesia, is a plus
• Prior experience with the production of blueprints/other similar policy documents is a plus
• Evident publication written in English in reputable journals/media/institutions is a strong plus

Deliverables

1. Final draft blueprint of PEF for sustainability report containing in-depth legal analysis of the current legislative frameworks and their impacts on the possibility of establishing alternative financing
2. A ready disseminated knowledge products (e.g., peer-reviewed reports and publications), engagement documents (e.g., method briefs, data products, background information), and communication materials (i.e., presentations, op-eds, frameworks/technical analysis)
3. Concept note and events for the advocacy and engagement events, expert consultation meetings, and other relevant events/workshops
4. Project meeting reports
5. Legal advice and advocacy related to the project for the internal team whenever necessary
6. Monthly progress report

Duration

16 February – 31 December 2023

Terms of Payment

Daily-rate consultant with a 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), 25 January 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 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.