Research and Data Integration Lead

Program Overview

WRI Indonesia’s mission is to become the go-to research organization that supports scientific evidence and informed decision making based on sound and robust scientific methodology. Our research activity is a big part in achieving this goal. WRI Indonesia needs to have a solid research strategy to help in addressing the underlying problems across our programs:

1. Food, Land, and Water

• Transforming Supply Chains and Livelihoods: Our mission is to drive the adoption of sustainable palm oil production practices at the national, regional, and global levels. We collaborate closely with government bodies, smallholders, and agriculture businesses, including palm oil, to ensure sustainable livelihoods and secure land tenure.
• Strengthening Forest and Peat Monitoring: We aim to enhance the monitoring capabilities of stakeholders, focusing on forests, peatlands, and landscapes. By leveraging scientific advancements, we aim to support forest management and conservation efforts effectively. We are dedicated to combating illegal forest logging and advocating for thorough reviews of palm oil business licenses.
• Innovating Financing for Nature-based Solutions: Our commitment lies in financing nature-based solutions (NbS) projects. Through strategic investments and partnerships, we strive to find the most effective financing mechanisms and tools that ensure the long-term sustainability of NbS programs.
• Advancing Sustainable Food Systems: Our primary objective is to expedite the transformation of food and land use systems. We actively support the reform agenda for food systems, fostering positive outcomes for the environment, health, inclusive development, and food security. We aim to align these systems with globally agreed upon sustainable development, climate, and biodiversity goals.

1. Climate, Energy, Cities, and Ocean

• Climate: We are dedicated to advancing transformative solutions for climate change mitigation and adaptation by assisting the Indonesian government in exceeding its climate commitments and successfully transitioning to low carbon development. We engage with businesses and civil societies at local, national, and international levels to drive transformative solutions that combat climate change and enable communities to adapt to its impacts.
• Energy: We accelerate the transition towards a clean energy future through innovative solutions in clean energy governance and transparent market mechanisms that prioritize inclusivity and fairness. In addition, we convene stakeholders from national and sub-national governments, business sectors, and civil society to collaborate and achieve our shared goals.
• Cities: We provide technical assistance to policymakers and urban planners, empowering them to fortify the resilience of urban residents against climate change impacts and reduce road fatalities.
• Ocean: Our focus lies in supporting the government of Indonesia to reduce 70% of marine plastic debris by 2025. Additionally, we strive to mainstream blue carbon in Indonesia’s New Ocean Economy, promoting the importance of these ecosystems for sustainable development.

As the bedrock in our organization, the Research, Data, and Innovation unit needs to:

1. Support the programmatic research activities especially by advising on research methods, strategies, and knowledge product development;
2. Position WRI Indonesia as a nurturing institution where young talents –especially recent graduates and/or post-grad students—can advance their research skills and field experience;
3. Support programs to generate and Integrate Data in WRI Indonesia – from the programs and their activities, WRI Indonesia will be able to extract data coming from past and current research activities, and make these data accessible to various stakeholders for decision-making on environmental issues;
4. Strengthen WRI Indonesia’s profile as an independent national research institution and learning center on sustainable development.

Job Highlight

The Research and Data Integrity Lead will report directly to Research and Data Integrity Manager at WRI Indonesia, also to work in close coordination with project managers/leads to help close the loop between problem definition, research design, evidence building and country and program strategies. It is expected that the position holder will use their scientific expertise to enhance the effectiveness of the science in meeting organization’s programmatic research goals. WRI-Indonesia’s research is intended to promote innovative solutions to key environmental problems in Indonesia, with a key focus on analyses that transform business-as-usual into good practices of data-driven decision making to improve environmental outcomes.

This position will be based in Jakarta with office-flex working arrangements and to do travel as necessary. 

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

Research management and development (40% of time)

• Collaborate with the RDI manager to ensure that all WRI Indonesia-branded knowledge products meet WRI’s Standards of Excellence and are designed to deliver actionable results.
• Collaborate with the RDI manager to oversee the peer and user review process for WRI Indonesia-branded publications.
• Review WRI Indonesia publications and use expert judgement to ensure alignment with WRI’s research Standards of Excellence.
• In consultation with RDI Manager in providing constructive feedback to authors on research design, research methods, writing, the provision of robust evidence, data generation, and making recommendations that are fit for key audiences—including policymakers, businesses, multilateral development organizations—and ensuring coherence with other research and publications at WRI.
• Assist research staff in identifying external experts who can provide objective, relevant reviews of drafts.
• Ensure research teams comply with WRI’s Human Subject Protection (HSP) and safeguarding protocols.

Mentoring and capacity building (20% of time)

• Collaborate with the RDI manager to guide program staff on how to produce high-quality research work, including research design, data interpretation, analytical issues, and effective writing.
• Provide mentoring and support staff to strengthen WRI Indonesia’s ability to produce high-quality, actionable research, and increase the output of knowledge products.
• Oversee and develop research capacity at the Program Clusters and Regional Offices, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and research standard
• Identify skill gaps and provide Research, Data and Innovation training programs to enhance staff skills and build technical expertise across teams.
• Organize a regular series of early-stage research seminars to provide early feedback, foster cross-program collaboration, and promote a culture of openness to feedback.
• Support the increase of quality and quantity of knowledge products in Bahasa Indonesia to achieve a wider readership in Indonesia, including working with WRI Indonesia Research Advisory Board for review and improvement.

Data and project Management (20% of time)

• Work with the RDI manager to set up and maintain WRI Indonesia’s Data Repository or Knowledge Management System.
• Contribute to development of research plans, project proposals and concept notes to support fundraising effort
• Design and implement WRI research roundtables, seminars, workshops or other convening events with key stakeholders.  
• Participate in recruitment process of research-focused staff.
• Be able to take on assignments that require a fair amount of travel in Indonesia or abroad to support teams doing field research, and to attend conferences and annual RDI retreats.

Research culture and knowledge sharing (20% of time)

• Support the RDI Manager to develop annual workplan and to create an organizational-wide strong culture of research excellence across WRI Indonesia.
• Foster a strong culture of excellence in scientific research across the organization, communicate WRI research and analysis with external audiences, represent WRI at conferences, workshops and other events.
• Ensure all program staff understand the connection between research and outcomes, integrating research as key component of strategies for sustainable outcomes.
• Foster a learning culture where constructive criticism and candor are highly valued, and staff feel empowered to speak up and discuss failures.
• Organize regular meetings and check-ins among lead researchers and junior analysts, in both FLW and CECO programs.
• Collaborate and coordinate with staff across WRI Indonesia’s programs, as well as WRI Global, and external partners to advance the interest of research activities of WRI Indonesia.

What You Will Need

• Master's degree (Ph.D. preferred) in a discipline related to environmental science and technology, environmental engineering, environmental economics, with strong quantitative methodological skills (fluent in both quantitative and qualitative methods is a plus) in social or natural sciences, climate science, geospatial, urban planning, or related fields.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in conducting policy-oriented research related to environment and/or development
• Multi years of experience in overseeing and developing junior researchers' capacity.
• Proven track record of conducting and overseeing research that translates into policy and practice.
• Experience of mixed methods and cross disciplinary/interdisciplinary approaches.
• Track record of producing and overseeing high-quality research and publications.
• 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.
• Professional proficient in oral and written Bahasa Indonesia and English skills.
• Patience and persistence and willingness to stand up for quality under pressure.
• Cross-disciplinary portfolio with experience of working with the entire spectrum of stakeholders-government, corporate, NGO, primary stakeholders etc.
• Strong team player with ability to work across institutional departments/programs.
• Flexibility and willingness to explore unfamiliar issues.
• Ability and willingness to travel as assigned.
• Legally able to work in Indonesia.

Performance Standard

• Demonstrating consistent efforts to foster a culture of a high-quality, actionable research within WRI Indonesia.
• Effective coordination of multi-program and cross-organizational collaboration in terms of shared knowledge, resources, and research impact.
• Timely completion of works.
• Acts fairly and doesn’t have hidden agendas.

Contract Arrangement

Full-time with fixed-term employment agreement for 9 (nine) months period 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.

Application close: 1700 (DKI Jakarta local time), 5 December 2024. 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.