GIZ Indonesia for FORCLIME project: Internship Related to State of the Sago-Research in Indonesia and with special attention to Papua

The Indonesian-German Forests and Climate Change Programme (FORCLIME) supports the Indonesian Government and relevant public and private actors in developing and implementing the institutional and regulatory framework, methods and services for sustainable forest management, nature conservation and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation and forest degradation.

In the upcoming project phase starting 2021 FORCLIME will move its key intervention areas from Kalimantan to East Indonesia. There, it will continue to support the local forest management structures regarding their role in forest management and protection, as well as a public service provider for the implementation of social forestry schemes and for the promotion of a sustainable bioeconomy.

Sago, derived from the pith of the sago palm (Metroxylon sagu), is the staple food in Eastern Indonesia and of most native Papuan communities and therefore closely tied to their daily economic activities but also a source of cultural identity and pride. Further, almost pure stands of sago forest cover vast areas in the districts of Sorong Selatan and Merauke; two out of the four target districts of FORCLIME in Papua, with the other two being Tambrauw and Jayapura.

Therefore, FORCLIME has identified sago as a topic of high interest and would like to get a broader overview and insights on the current developments involving sago. The result of the internship shall be a comprehensive collection of information and analyses in written format that will serve as a guideline for future decisions and interventions in Papua.

For these reasons, the support provided by the intern as outlined above will be beneficial to both the programme and GIZ.

FORCLIME is seeking one qualified Indonesian candidate for the following position:

                                           

Internship with the Forests and Climate Change Programme (FORCLIME)

Related to State of the Sago-Research in Indonesia and with special attention to Papua

A.   Responsibilities

The incumbent provides support for FORCLIME on activities related to: Compiling an in-depth analysis of currently available research and information about economic, ecological, and social questions to serve as a knowledge basis for strategic decisions in FORCLIME’s future engagement on the topic, especially in the two Papua provinces (from now on ‘Papua’).

If applicable, the results of the consultancy may also be used for potential bachelor’s or Master’s theses.

2. Tasks

The following tasks provide a framework and can be adjusted during the internship to the degree necessary:

1. Collecting data and information through literature research (English and Indonesian literature) to get a broad understanding of the topic. 

2. Identify and conduct in-depth interviews with experts on sago: This should include, but is not limited to, interviewing relevant source persons from governmental institutions (Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Ministry of Agriculture), research institutes (Universities, LIPI, Litbang-Hutan, Litbang-Perkebunan, …) and the private sector (past and potential sago investors, SOE Perum Perhutani, …). 

3. Analyze and streamline information per identified topic, based on results of literature research and expert interviews. 

4. Peer Review with FORCLIME staff: Peer review will be carried out before finalization of the document. Proposed reviewers are the programme director and some of FORCLIME team. 

5. Completion of the written analysis: The final document will be written in English with an abstract/summary in both English and Bahasa Indonesia.

 The document shall cover the following issues:

• Current state of the sago industry in Indonesia, especially in Papua
• Technical: Sago forest inventory, harvesting practices and management, as well as propagation material and existing seedling production (Consideration should be payed to the differences in natural sago forests and sago plantations)
• Economic: Analysis of supply chains, starch production and value adding industries, as well as potential sago products, investment environment and market analyses for different sago products (regional, national and international) including comparison with other starch production methods and potential markets
• Traditional sago economy in Papua and potential of community-based value adding to improve local livelihoods and income generation, including lessons learned from previous attempts in Indonesia and elsewhere
• Existing laws and regulations as well as policy development requirements
• Sago in the context of food security and cultural identity for local communities in Papua, including identification, collection, and assessment of respective laws and regulations on sago and its protection
• The potential of the sago palm as a means for (ecologically and economically) revitalizing degraded areas, especially wet- and peatlands including experiences and lessons learned from previous attempts in Indonesia and elsewhere

Milestones:

·         Results of literature research and potential interview partners identified

·         Results of interviews with sago experts

·         Delivering of first draft

·         Discussion of first draft with FORCLIME team (and selected interviewees from KLHK) to identify topics of highest interest

·         Revisions and additions based on discussion meeting

·         Final product 

3. Required qualifications and competences 

·            At least student in Bachelor or Master degree in forestry, Agriculture, Agroeconomy, or other relevant fields; fresh graduates are also encouraged to apply;

·            Interest and sufficient knowledge in forestry and environment issues;

·            Excellent command of MS-Office;

·            Experience in literature research and expert interviews;

·            Strong writing skills and fluency in English. 

Duty Station: Jakarta
Working Hours: 5 working days per week, 8 working hours per day
Expected Joining Date: 1 March 2020 – 30 June 2020                                    
Interested candidates shall submit comprehensive resume and a motivation letter to: : recruitment-indo@giz.de before February 29, 2020.  
Please put: FORCLIME Intern as your email subject and name the files using following format:  
[Your Complete Name]_[Motivation Letter/CV]

Only short-listed candidates will be notified