WRI Indonesia is looking for Science and Research Consultant

About WRI Indonesia

WRI Indonesia is an independent national research organization that turns big ideas into action at the nexus of environment, economic opportunity, and human well-being. WRI Indonesia is affiliated with World Resources Institute (WRI), a global environmental research organization that works with various stakeholders to support policies and practices that are sustainable and profitable. WRI works with leaders in more than 50 countries for more than 30 years, with offices in Brazil, China, Europe, Africa, India, Indonesia, Mexico, and the United States.

Launched in early 2014, WRI Indonesia builds on WRI’s 20-year history in the country and the official establishment of WRI Indonesia office has strengthened our impacts on the ground in recent years. Our current work primarily focuses on forest and land-use. Over time WRI Indonesia aims to expand its portfolio to include climate, energy, and city and transportation. Therefore, it is important for the organization to identify and put in place the research building blocks for achieving the vision of WRI Indonesia supporting science- and data-driven decision making at national and sub-national level.

Overview

WRI Indonesia’s research program pursues diverse approaches to support Indonesia in accelerating low emissions development through a sustainable land use management, improved forest governance, and expansion of renewable energy provision. The Science and Research Lead will manage the peer review processes for WRI Indonesia publications and provide support to research staff on policy research design, data interpretation, and analytical issues.

The Science and Research Consultant is a part-time position which will focus his/her responsibilities in doing functions, such as: peer review, mentoring more junior staff, and strategy building. This person reports directly to Country Director and work in close coordination with the Global S&R team and project managers/leads. 

Key Responsibilities

The Science and Research Lead's main areas of responsibility will include the following:

·       Ensure that all WRI Indonesia-branded knowledge products meet WRI’s quality standards and are designed to deliver actionable results;

·       Strengthen WRI Indonesia’s capacity to conduct high-quality, actionable research by providing guidance on research design, data interpretation, analytical issues.

Ensure that all WRI Indonesia-branded knowledge products meet WRI’s quality standards and are designed to deliver actionable results

·       Work with the WRI Indonesia Country Director and the Global Science & Research team to oversee the peer review process for WRI Indonesia-branded publications;

·       Provide feedback to authors on research design and the provision of robust evidence that is fit for key audiences—including policymakers, businesses, multilateral development organizations—and coherent with other research and publications at WRI;

·       Assist research staff in identifying external experts who can provide objective, relevant reviews of drafts

 

Strengthen WRI Indonesia’s capacity to conduct high-quality, actionable research by providing guidance on research design, data interpretation, analytical issues, and effective writing

·       Act as a mentor to program staff on how to produce high-quality work, including research design, data interpretation, analytical issues, and effective writing;

·       Identify skills gaps and contribute to the development of S&R research training modules to address those gaps;

·       Create a regular series of early research seminars to provide early feedback to researchers, connect the dots across programs, and foster a culture of openness to feedback;

·       Contribute to build WRI Indonesia’s knowledge and data repository that serve to systematically catalogue and sustainably manage information;

·       Participate in hiring of research-focused staff.

Qualifications

·       Legally able to work in Indonesia and speak fluent Bahasa;

·       Ph.D. in a discipline related to environment or development, with strong methodological skills in social sciences, natural sciences, urban planning or related fields. Minimum of ten years of experience in conducting policy research related to environment and/or development;

·       Experience of mixed methods and cross disciplinary/interdisciplinary approaches;

·       Strategic thinking, strong planning and managerial skills;

·       Demonstrated knowledge of specific research methods, quantitative or qualitative, and ability to communicate those methods clearly to diverse colleagues;

·       Sound judgment and the ability to uphold high quality standards. Strong sense of skepticism and the ability to diagnose and articulate weaknesses in research

·       Demonstrated ability to mentor staff and give constructive feedback and clearly explain the reasoning behind decisions;

·       Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work in a fast-paced environment in a collegial fashion as part of a small, collaborative team;

·       International experience strongly preferred;

·       Natural curiosity and interest in keeping current with the latest science and policies relevant to WRI Indonesia’s work;

·       Excellent oral and written English skills;

·       Patience and persistence and willingness to stand up for quality under pressure;

Deliverables

1.       At the end of the assignment, the Consultant shall submit a Final Report that includes the accomplishments of the Consultant for the period of the assignment, including constraints experienced and any recommendation for improvement;

2.       The consultant shall submit a strategy to improve WRI Indonesia’s research portfolio within the six months of his/her contract;

3.       In coordination with the Science and Research Coordinator implement the strategy mentioned;

4.       Contribute in building WRI Indonesia’s Knowledge and Data Repository;

5.       Coordinate the peer review process of WRI Indonesia products and provide feedback to authors within 2 weeks.

Scope of Works	Key Deliverables
1.       Ensure that all WRI Indonesia-branded knowledge products meet WRI’s quality standards and are designed to deliver actionable results	·       Reviewer’s report on existing WRI knowledge product and/or academic articles done by staff/consultant; ·       Regular feedback to on-going writing up process; ·       Consultation session for staff two times in a week. ·       Reviews WRI Indonesia knowledge products and plans for knowledge products within 2 weeks of receiving them.
2.       Strengthen WRI Indonesia’s capacity to conduct high-quality, actionable research by providing guidance on research design, data interpretation, analytical issues, and effective writing	·       series of trainings and/or seminars for all staff every 2 months; ·       Contribute in developing ‘research strategy’ in proposal writing activities for potential donors; ·       WRI Indonesia’s knowledge and data repository.

Final candidates will be required to take a writing test. Also required to produce two writing samples

 

Consultant rate:  Consultant rate is commensurate with experience and skills. WRI offers a generous, comprehensive benefits package.

 

Qualified applicants should apply online through https://jobs.jobvite.com/wri/job/oGYu9fw1 in order to be formally considered.              

 

Application close: 1700 (Jakarta Time), 30 April 2019. We will close the advert earlier when best candidates are identified at earlier dates. 

 

This is a locally engaged position; Indonesian nationals are encouraged to apply..

 

 

WRI Overview

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 in order to secure a sustainable future for people and the planet: climate change, energy, food, forests, water, sustainable cities, and the ocean.

 

We are passionate. We value our diversity of interests, skills and backgrounds. We have a flexible work environment. And we share a common goal to catalyze change that will improve the lives of people. Our shared ideals are at the core of our approach. They include: integrity, innovation, urgency, independence and respect.

 

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.

 

We have been growing rapidly: our staff has doubled in size over the past 5 years and our operating budget is now $100 million. Founded in 1982, WRI has a global staff of 800+ people with work spanning 60 countries. We have offices in Africa, Brazil, China, Europe, India, Indonesia, Mexico and the United States as well as a growing presence in other countries and regions. 

 

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.

 

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.

 

The World Resources Institute (http://www.wri.org) is an environmental and development research and policy organization that creates solutions to protect the Earth and improve people’s lives. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, it is WRI’s policy to recruit, hire, and provide opportunities for advancement in all job classifications without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, parental status, protected veteran status, or disability. WRI’s global agenda requires a staff that is diverse – with respect to race, gender, cultural, and international background. Diverse perspectives and experience enhance the way WRI selects and approaches issues, as well as the creativity and applicability of WRI's policy research and analysis. WRI, therefore, encourages applications from U.S. minorities, persons from other countries (especially developing nations), and from women of all backgrounds.