Landscape Policy Research Consultant

Consultant for Landscape Policy Research, Food Land and Water Program

This is a hybrid position which requires 8 days per month in the office. You can be based in our office in WRI Indonesia, Tanah Papua. Existing work authorization is required at the time of application submission as WRI is unable to sponsor any visa work sponsorship for this position.

Program Overview

WRI Indonesia seeks to support the government, private sector, and communities in Indonesia to reduce its GHG emission through better management of its forest and land use, business operation, and livelihoods. We utilize new technology, multi-stakeholder approach, and research to provide the most up-to-date, accurate, and reliable tools, methodology, and data so that key stakeholders can take part in sustainable development. To advance this cause, WRI Indonesia is championing an ambitious program to transform land use planning and management to be more inclusive and sustainable through several projects.

We envision critical ecosystem such as forest and peatland across Indonesia to be governed fairly and sustainability. We believe sustainable land use management is key for Indonesia to meet its climate goal, in line with keeping the goal climate target below the 1.5 degress celcius warming threshold, while providing sustainable livelihoods to forest-dependent communitites and conserve biodiversity in the landscape. We intend to achieve this through safeguarding the remaining forest and peatland from deforestation, degradation, and fragmentation; maintaining forests and peatland quality through sound stewardship; and restoring degraded ecosystem to improve its productivity, conservation value, and ecosystem services.

To effectively eliminate deforestation from key commodities production and provide robust stewardship for the remaining forest and peatland, we work together with various level of government, private sector, and civil society to mainstream the ethical supply chain principles, and support forest-dependent communities to secure their land rights. We aims to achieve this through research, policy advocacy, and creation of a community of practice to mainstream sustainable land use management.

Crown Jewel of Papua

This program will focus on ensuring strong governance and effective collaboration of local governments and CSOs to support CJP as an integrated conservation landscape of the project. All activities will be carried out in close collaboration with other BRIDA, local government, and development partners, and others, which includes: regular coordination meetings and a series of workshops with key stakeholders, including provincial government in forestry, environment, research, planning and other relevant fields, from development partners (representative organizations: international, national, and local) and government and community representatives from relevant districts.

Job Highlight

The Landscape Policy Research Consultant will be supporting landscape policy research and regional spatial plan and engaging with diverse stakeholders and communities across provinces to drive impactful and high-quality work in advocating and promoting landscape policy and governance. Key responsibilities include building strong partnership through coordination and dialogue with government agencies, universities, CSOs, development partners, and indigenous communities, promotes collaboration to accelerate indigenous territory mapping, and conduct landscape and land-use research through field data collection and analysis.

Based in Manokwari, West Papua with office-flex working arrangement, this position will report directly to the GIS and Research Analyst and working closely and collaboratively with the rest of the Papua Regional teams and other project-related personnel. In support of WRI's DEI commitment, you are responsible for actively participating in these collaborative efforts by integrating equity into your work, our workplace, and the organizational culture.

What You Will Do

Stakeholder Engagement and Outreach (70%)

• Build and maintain good relationships with various stakeholders such as universities, local governments, regional partner institutions, and local communities who work on issues of forestry, environment, and natural resources managament in West Papua and Southwest Papua Provinces.
• Facilitate discussions with targeted participants and other potential stakeholders, specifically with the BRIDA, ensure delivery of ongoing, effective coordination and communication between CSOs and other partners;
• Promote and foster collaboration with CSOs, development partners, and Indigenous communities in accelerating Indigenous territory maps and translating research into action for integrated landscape management, conservation, and environmental justices
• Engage with local communities and regional stakeholders in promoting integrated landscape approach
• Contribute and collaborate with multistakeholder forum in advancing the formal recognition of Integrated Landscape of Mahkota Permata Tanah Papua and in accelerating Indigenous territory maps
• Participate in discussions, meetings, and conferences.
• Identify potential stakeholders to expand engagement work whenever necessary.
  
  

Research (30%)

• Support research on landscape analysis of Papua's forest and land use, focusing on integrated landscape and natural resource management
• Collaborate and engage with experts from universities in advancing and promoting important research and finding research gaps in Tanah Papua
• Support field data acquisition and extraction, data analysis (quantitative and qualitative), data presentation, reporting and presentations;
• Collect, manage, and communicate data from local universities repository for knowledge hub for Tanah Papua
• Assist in expert consultations from universities in Tanah Papua on recent landscape policy
  
  

What You Will Need

• Bachelor's degree in social development study, policy, forestry, community development, sociology, natural resources management, environmental studies, or a related field is required
• Minimum 3 (three) years of professional experience in engagement, community development, environmental, spatial analysis, and natural resources.
• Proficiency in GIS software is an advantage.
• Experience in facilitation, coordination, and communications with rural communities, local government, and/or other relevant stakeholders in a conservation or development context. Direct working experience in Tanah Papua will be a plus.
• Experience in supporting policy processes, conduct consultation and cross-sector collaboration.
• Strong experience in qualitative and quantitative research, including field data collection, analysis, and reporting.
• Ability to synthesize research findings into policy-relevant insights and actionable recommendations.
• Knowledge of operating Microsoft Office applications is essential.
• Good verbal and written communication skills in Indonesia. Proficiency in English is an added advantage
• Strong understanding of local cultures and indigenous communities, particularly in Tanah Papua
• Willing to be based in Manokwari (West Papua) and conduct travel frequently to project sites and remote ares.
• Indigenous Papuans (Orang Asli Papua) and local people are highly encouraged to apply.
• Legally able to work in Indonesia
  
  

Deliverables

Comprehensive monthly report that consists of achievement, work progress, and lessons learned, including but not limited to the following works:

• Policy and practical recommendations, including recommendation for capacity enhancement, proposed institutional arrangements as well as governance framework, ensuring successful Crown Jewel of Tanah Papua collaborative landscape management;
• Data and new repository for research in Tanah Papua from various experts and backgrounds
• Outreach and engagement activities.
• Field data acquisition and data analysis
  
  

Duration

1 January 2026 31 July 2026

Terms of Payment

Daily rate-based consultant with a maximum of 126 (one hundred twenty-six) working days for the whole contract period or 18 (eighteen) working days per month on average.

How To Apply

• Please submit a resume with a cover letter by 31 December 2025. You must apply through the WRI Careers portal to be considered. We may close for applications sooner if we receive a high volume of applications from qualified candidates.
• Must have authorization to work in Indonesia to be eligible for this position.
• Final candidates might be required to take a certain test and/or to produce/share writing samples when needed.
• This is a locally engaged position, Indonesian nationals are encouraged to apply.
  
  

What We Offer

• Consultant rate that is commensurate with experience and skill.
• Travel insurance for both domestic and international for any travel duty as assigned by WRI Indonesia
• Access to the WRI global network with the opportunity to exchange with and learn from passionate colleagues working at the cutting edge of their fields.
• A workplace that strives to put diversity and inclusion at the heart of our work
• The opportunity to join and get involved in different working groups and affinity groups to shape the future of WRI
• Commitment to hybrid working model with flexible working hours
  
  

About Us

World Resources Institute works to improve people's lives, protect and restore nature and stabilize the climate. As an independent research organization, we leverage our data, expertise and global reach to influence policy and catalyze change across systems like food, land and water; energy; and cities. Our 2,000+ staff work on the ground in more than a dozen focus countries and with partners in over 50 nations.

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: Independence, Integrity, Impact, Partnership, and Care.

Our Culture

WRI is committed to advancing gender and social equity for human well-being in our mission including equal opportunities in employment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, caste, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, or protected Veteran status.

Our Human Resources Team carefully reviews all applications.

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