WRI Indonesia is looking for Just Transition Project Lead

Program Overview

WRI Indonesia is an independent research organization that works with governments, businesses, multilateral institutions and civil society groups to develop practical solutions that improve people’s lives and ensure nature can thrive in Indonesia.

As Indonesia has set an ambitious climate target to achieve Net Zero Emissions by 2060 or sooner, it should be seen as a positive momentum for advancing climate action, and contribute to the global commitment to keep global temperature increase below 1.5°C. In this light, WRI Indonesia seeks to further support the country in meeting and beating its climate commitments in order to ensure successful transition towards low carbon development path.

Just Transition Framework in Indonesia

Just transition has gained its momentum recently, along with Indonesia’s pledge to achieve the ambitious climate target Net Zero Emissions by 2060 and the Government signal to adopt coal phase out by 2040. The commitment has attracted USD 20 billion funding pledge under the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) launched at the G20 summit in November 2022. It is believed that by transitioning to low carbon and clean energy sources, Indonesia will reap benefit in terms of economic, social, and environmental aspects and achieve sustainable development in the future. However, transition to low carbon and even further to achieve net zero emissions in Indonesia entails challenges, not only in terms of infrastructure and technology, but also substantial economic and social structure, such as potential job losses, workplace, and workforce employability. While research finds that transitioning to clean energy is predicted to create net gain of jobs over the 2021-2025 period (IRENA, 2023), the rapid progress of transition – in particular on energy and transportation sector – which have not been followed with clear indicators and equitable principles may further exacerbate existing inequalities and increase unjust situation for some of people.

Within the Just Transition project, WRI Indonesia encourages the importance of people-centered transitions and formulate the evidence-based indicators and framework emphasizing socio-economic aspect at the heart of the transition. With this approach, we need to be able to answer these questions: what is the policy gap in ensuring just transition in Indonesia? what are the methodology and indicators to measure and monitor the socio-economic impact of the transition? How different sectoral ministries, agencies and other key players need to adopt and implement those indicators?

The Just Transition project will analyze the social and economic dimensions of a just transition by developing a set of evidence-based indicators to track just transition at the national and subnational-level focusing on energy and transport sectors, coupled with policy recommendations that can ensure positive progress towards the indicators. Through this program, WRI Indonesia will inform our targeted key decision makers in the government, the private sector, and communities to collaboratively ensure a just transition in Indonesia’s low carbon development.

Job Highlight

The Just Transition Project lead will support WRI Indonesia in leading and managing the Just Transition project, as well as research, policy analysis and stakeholder engagement. He/ she should be able to develop and lead just transition team, contribute to the development of high-quality research products that are designed to inform targeted audiences, and engage stakeholders at national and sub-national level from both state and non-state actors. He/ she is expected to play role in representing WRI Indonesia in external forum/events related with just transition, climate action or energy transition. He/she will work independently under direction and supervision of Climate Manager, Senior Manager for Research, Development and Innovation and Energy Manager at WRI Indonesia, and will work closely with other team under the Climate, Energy, Cities and Ocean deputyship.

What You Will Do

Project Management (40%)

• Lead the development of Just Transition program and providing strategic solutions to advance climate action and just transition framework in particular on energy and transport sector at national and sub-national level.
• Develop project workplan and budget, and supervise project team to ensure delivery of project outputs and timely report to donors and partners.
• Organize and lead strategic meetings and coordination with WRI Global Office, WRI International Office, as well as with donors and government stakeholders for smooth project implementation.
• Oversee project budget, including budget planning, tracking and monitoring with the support from Project Operation Specialist.
• Provide supervisory work and guidance for consultants working on just transition project, and conduct necessary steps to avoid delays and address problems that may occur during project implementation.
• Provide supervisory support in organizing the operational and paper works related for project implementation, such as developing TORs, agreements, contracts, work authorizations and purchase orders.

Research (30%)

• Able to initiate ideas and contribute to economic and empirical analysis that support climate and just transitions policies in Indonesia.
• Lead and supervise the formulation of research products, knowledge management and data collection and analysis. This includes coordinate with RDI Senior Manager in developing the trajectories of research development.
• Review research plans and products, i.e., policy briefs, working papers, technical notes/ guideline, articles, reports, etc developed by the team.
• Contribute in the process of identification, organization and use of social and economic analytical tools that will be used to develop research and knowledge products.
• Support Climate, Energy, Cities and Ocean teams in international and national climate and just transition policy analysis, including to keep updated with the dynamics of the Just Energy Transition Partnership, Energy Transition Mechanism, and other initiatives.

Stakeholder Engagement (20%)

• Represent WRI Indonesia Just Transition team in any external events or engagements relevant to the project.
• Maintain good communication with key partners from government, private sector, civil societies or communities.
• Play critical role in convening non-state actors on just transition issues and facilitate productive dialogue between stakeholders.
• Ensure close coordination between WRI Global Office, IOs and donors to support executions of the project.
• Provide guidance on timely communication related products and deliverables, including media engagement, blogs, reports, etc.

Fundraising (10%)

Contribute to proposal development under Climate, Energy, Cities and Ocean portfolio.

What You Will Need

• Legally able to work in Indonesia
• Master’s degree in Economics (PhD preferred). Good technical understanding on climate-economy-social nexus at national and international level are essential.
• Minimum 7 years of relevant experience working on environmental economy, climate, and development issues.
• Knowledge of empirical methods used in economics and environmental science, including econometrics, statistical analysis, systems analysis, are a plus.
• Experience with stakeholder engagement, organizing meetings with excellent understanding of Indonesia’s climate, just transition, development and sustainable development issues.
• Basic knowledge on economic modeling
• Highly organized and systematic with strong time management skills and the ability to juggle competing priorities and deadlines required.
• Excellent proven leadership and project management skill, with great communication skills to work in a team.
• Experience in working and maintaining partnerships with multi-stakeholders, including the government, private sector, and communities.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in Bahasa Indonesia and English.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced office environment and cross-sectoral themes.
• Highly motivated, strong can-do attitude, proactive work style, and excellent organizational skills and work ethic.
• Problem solver who is willing to develop and share ideas internally and externally.
• Ability to travel to other cities or provinces in Indonesia

Performance Standards

• Project management, Financial Management, Grant Management, and Administration activities are expected to be carried out timely and satisfactory with minor supervision
• Must be capable of setting priorities and working under pressure
• Must be able to multi-task and planning several events simultaneously
• Ability to work well with internal and external participants is essential
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite is imperative

Contract Arrangement

Full-time with fixed-term employment agreement for up to October 2024 with 3 (three) months of consultancy contract apply before the fixed-term employment agreement started.

What we offer

• Salary that is commensurate with experience and skills
• Competitive and comprehensive benefit package
• Access to the WRI global network
• Opportunity to join and/or get involved in different working groups
• A workplace that strives to put diversity and inclusion at the heart of our work
• A chance to have an impact and to develop your career within a mission driven organization

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 World Resources Institute Careers - Just Transition Project Lead (jobvite.com)

Application close: 17.00 (DKI Jakarta local time), 30 June 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 that 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, gender diverse communities, 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.