WRI Indonesia is looking for Business Development and Innovative Finance Consultant

Program Overview

The ASEAN region is a crucial site for peatlands, covering approximately 23.6 million hectares which represents 56% of global tropical peatlands. According to the UN Environment Programme, peatlands store twice as much carbon as the world’s forests. Over the last decade, human activities of draining and burning peatlands in Southeast Asia have turned peatlands from functioning as carbon storages into significant carbon emitters. Transboundary haze has become an annual event with severe implications on the climate crisis. The UN equates the carbon emissions from drained and burned peatlands at 10% of all fossil fuel emissions.

Responding the the above, the European Union (EU) awarded a grant to Peat (PFP) coalition, consisting of World Resources Institute Indonesia (WRI), Yayasan Inisiatif Dagang Hijau (IDH) and Tropical Rainforest Conservation & Research Centre (TRCRC).

The SUPA programme consists of two components; the PFP coalition has been awarded under the second component comprising the Non-State Actor (NSA) scheme. ‘People for Peat’ will collaborate over a period of three years with a budget totaling to €5 million with the goal to improve the ability of non-state actors (NSAs) such as local communities, private sector entities, CSOs/NGOs, research institutions, and financial institutions, to move towards sustainable peatland management practices that will reduce fires and haze in the ASEAN region.

‘People for Peat’ will serve as a platform to coordinate sustainable peatland use, management, and haze mitigation efforts across ASEAN countries. The activities will revolve around three pillars of data and information, business and investment, and outreach and advocacy.

The results of this collaboration will include:

·         Enhanced and mainstreamed knowledge on sustainable peatland management through reliable data utilization, promotion of actionable research, and best practices implementation at a local level;

·         Catalyzed investment and business model transformation of sustainable peat commodities; and

·         Improved awareness, stewardship, and capacity of NSAs and communities to collaborate and be mobilized for sustainable peatland management and protection

Job Responsibilities

The consultant will work directly with PFP coalition in Indonesia and Malaysia to build a concrete project pipeline and business model of sustainable use of peatland and haze mitigation involving partnership with private sector supply chain companies, local communities (including smallholders). CSOs/NGOs,  and public entities inSoutheast Asia.  This position will lead  in co-designing and negotiating the financing and business structure of the projects (including ensuring the maturity of the project) with key external shareholders. The key function of the role is to providing technical advice to implement business incubation, capital raising and structuring the project alongside supply chain companies and/or financial institution so that these projects will be able to access innovative financing schemes . This position also has the role to ensure monitoring of impacts related to the mentioned project. 

The main objectives:

·         Develop a robust project pipeline and business model of eventually investable projects in key targeted areas and//or landscape under the direction of the  PFP coalition.

·         Provide technical assistance for conducting business incubation of selected projects

·         Provide technical assistance that can ensure the project meet the requirements of investments such as land legality, good agricultural practices, strengthen farmer organizations, off-taking guarantee and financial literacy

·         Provide technical assistance services for potential fund e.g Climate Impact Fund partners and potential partners: Andgreen Fund, FarmFit Fund, LDN Fund, Agri3 Fund, and TLFF as early in the design phase

·         Evaluate existing field level projects and compacts

Deliverables

1.      Formulation the Term of Reference for the establishment of the Innovative Peatland Project Hub.

a.      Final and approved  Terms of Reference for the establishment of the Innovative Peatland Project Hub

b.      Produce Terms of Reference and budget proposal for relevant workshops to support the Hub’s establishment

2.      Mobilizing new partnerships under the Innovative Peatland Project Hub

a.      Stakeholder mapping and follow up recommendations

b.      Draft agreement and/or cooperation roadmap with relevant partners and stakeholders

c.      Draft on innovative finance strategies for the PFP.

3.      Developing prioritized topics and themes for funding cycles of peatland projects

a.      Business canvas and/or business development proposal for stakeholders

b.      Draft pipelines and business model and provision of technical assistance to make existing projects investment ready for any potential linking fund e.g Andgreen Fund, FarmFit Fund, LDN Fund and Agri3 Fund.

4.      Organizing an open call for proposals to gather the first batch of cohorts that will work on innovative small-medium business (SMB) solutions for peatland management

a.      Draft Request For Proposal

b.      Report on assessment of submitted proposal

c.      Due diligence report in technical assistance for business incubation

5.      Providing support to the cohorts through pilot incubator and accelerator programme through mentorship, advisory, and capacity building

a.      Updated Report on the performance of the participants in the cohorts

b.      Assistance report in the accelerator program

6.      Final report that consist of consolidation of documents produced and analysis of program and recommendation.

Note :

The above deliverables are the expected outcomes to be delivered within the EU SUPA project periode (2019 – 2022), specific deliverables for the initial contract will be discussed further upon contract signing

Job Qualifications

·         A minimum 8+ years’ experience in a challenging leadership position within a business setting, such as an investment bank, commercial or development bank or private equity fund etc. 

·         Strong knowledge of international trade, supply chains, landscape and commodities in particular knowledge of the palm oil sector in Indonesia and Malaysia is a strong benefit. 

·         Substantial experience in either business development, capital raising, and/or developing public-private partnerships.

·         Strong networks of CEOs, business owners, fund managers, bankers, and industry players within relevant industries in Indonesia and Singapore or other ASEAN countries.

·         Experience in merger & acquisition, debt restructuring, structuring loans, equity, or related field is preferred.

·         Practical and technical knowledge of legal and regulatory issues of investment requirements including fiscal and taxation.

·         Proven record of managing a team of staff and developing them personally.

·         Excellent spoken and written communication skills in Bahasa Indonesia and English.

Preferred Qualifications

·         A Team player and able to adapt and thrive in a fast-paced environment

·         Results driven.

·         Entrepreneurial skill and a self-starter skills to proactively anticipate organizational needs.

·         A practical approach to problem solving and the identification of opportunities, and ability to make clear and concise decisions.

·         Ability to effectively deal with senior management and decision makers both internally and externally.

·         Strong writing, presentation and reporting skills.

·         Ability and willingness to travel.  

Period of Work

5 months of initial contract from June – October 2020 with possibility of extension subject to individual performance evaluation, budget availability and program needs.

Terms of Payment

Daily rate consultant with maximum 59 (fifty nine) working days for the whole contract period.

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.

Consultant rate: Consultant rate is commensurate with experience and skills.

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

Application close: 1700 (Jakarta Time), 11 June 2020. 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.

 

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.