RIMBA Project Coordinator (Jambi based)

WRI Indonesia is an independent research organization that turns big ideas into action at the nexus of environment, economic opportunity, and human well-being. At WRI Indonesia, we aim to bring innovations in research and business approaches in order to create the enabling conditions for Indonesia to achieve robust economic growth while respecting environmental and social values. We seek to contribute to the accomplishment of ambitious sustainable development goals through working with leaders in public and private sectors, as well as collaborating with civil society organizations, in turning big ideas into action.

Within our Food, Land, and Water (FLW) Program, we envision critical ecosystems such as forests and peatland across Indonesia to be governed fairly and sustainably. We believe sustainable land use management is key for Indonesia to meet its climate goal, in line with keeping the global climate target below the 1.5 degree Celcius warming threshold, while providing sustainable livelihoods to forest-dependent communities and conserve biodiversity in the landscape. We intend to achieve this through safeguarding the remaining forest and peatland from deforestation, degradation, and fragmentation; maintaining forests and peatland quality through sound stewardship; and restoring degraded ecosystem to improve its productivity, conservation value, and ecosystem services.

To achieve Indonesia's climate goal while at the same time improving the livelihood of the communities and protecting biodiversity, we work together with partners to mainstream nature-based solutions (NbS) as an approach to address global climate challenge. We aim to achieve this through research, policy advocacy, and creation of a community of practice to develop new financing model for forest conservation, advocate regulatory framework that are conducive for NbS approach, and development of multi-stakeholder platform to amplify and accelerate NbS approach in Indonesia and South East Asia region.

WRI Indonesia has joined with 7 other NGOs to form the Southeast Asia Climate and Nature-based Solution (SCeNe) Coalition in recognition of the scale of action required, the time-bound opportunity for impact and the risks to people and nature if we do not act collaboratively to speed up and scale up design and implementation of high-integrity and high- quality NbS. The extensive experience of these environmental NGOs in the development and execution of NbS offers a powerful, shared platform to inform and influence this rapidly growing sector. In the first three years, the Coalition will focus on three inter-connected workstreams that together will scale NbS in the region: i) define the opportunities of where 'triple benefit' NbS investment should be made; ii) showcase high-integrity projects to inspire others; and iii) support national and local organizations to access carbon finance and secure funds for conservation.

The SCeNe Coalition is aimed to develop Triple Benefit Tools and Website for Southeast Asia Climate and Nature-based Solution (SCeNe) Coalition. Triple Benefit Tool will help to identify high impact of future NbS opportunities, ensuring a targeted pipeline of NbS supply that focuses on geographies with the highest conservation, social development and carbon potential. This tool will also help to validate triple benefit quality, giving the projects additional scientific credibility; to ensure finance is flowing transparently; and to increase ecosystem participation.

WRI Indonesia is currently supporting the Ministry of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/National Land Agency (ATR/BPN) in implementing the RIMBA Ecosystem Connectivity project in three forest landscape clusters in Riau, Jambi, and West Sumatra. This project aims to develop the framework and pilot implementation of Payment Watershed Services (PWS) for forest ecosystem enhancement throughout the crucial RIMBA Corridor in Jambi. The research will focus on water governance and policies and the development of financing model jurisdictional PWS. On specific sites such as Kerinci, Sungai Penuh, and Merangin, we will conduct socio economic research on Willingness to Pay (WTP) and Willingness to Accept (WTP) on water ecosystem services for household's basis and business scale integrated with hydrology modelling and econometric valuation. This research is crucial for creating informed, effective, and equitable environmental policies and practices. This will also provide valuable insights into the economic, social, and behavioral aspects of water resource management, helping to balance the needs of ecosystems with those of communities and other relevant stakeholders.

Furthermore, capacity building for water multi-stakeholders must be prioritised at indicated locations. This will employ an action learning methodology, commencing with thorough stakeholder mapping and a Training Needs Assessment (TNA). The capacity building seeks to promote PWS as a sustainable economic model and to implement Participatory Land Use Planning (PLUP). The implementation in Social Forestry (SF) areas will be modified in accordance with the SF strategy particularly concerning forest protection and restoration. A map of potential SF may be required to strengthen PWS and PLUP.

RIMBA Project Coordinator will focus on RIMBA project management and high-level stakeholder engagement in Jambi province. The main goals of this project are to pilot the PWS frameworks as well as enhance the Nature-based Solution (NbS) Tool for the Southeast Asia Climate and Nature-based Solution (SCeNe) Coalition and broader research on Nature - based Solutions (NbS) with focus on integrating hydrological data to improve climate adaptation and community resilience.

The main responsibilities of a project coordinator include stakeholder engagement especially the high-level actors, supporting the development of PWS framework and its piloting project, and assisting the capacity building for optimizing the pilot of PWS frameworks. Additionally, this position will support the RIMBA Ecosystem Connectivity initiative by conducting research socio-economic studies, supporting the hydrology assessment and econometric valuation, as well as ensuring the sustainable management of water resources within critical ecosystems in Kerinci, Sungai Penuh, and Merangin region.

Reporting to the NbS Governance Specialist, this position will be based in Jambi (Kota Jambi) with office-flex working arrangements and expected to conduct travel (domestic and international) as needed. 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.

• Lead the development, coordination, and execution of project work plans aligned with RIMBA's strategic goals.
• Ensure timely implementation of activities across landscape-level intervention areas.
• Lead coordination between provincial and district governments, national ministries (KLHK, Bappenas), CSOs, private sector, and local communities.
• Organize and maintain strong communication with multi-stakeholder forums, technical working groups, and joint planning sessions.
• Monitor project progress against indicators, outputs, and deliverables in the project Results Framework or logframe.
• Support the preparation of budgets, financial projections, as well as ensure compliance with donor guidelines.
• Support technical reviews of village-level plans, RPJMDs, or land-use maps to align with the RIMBA vision.
• Identify potential implementation risks, including land conflicts, social resistance, or legal constraints.
• Facilitate conflict resolution and mitigation strategies in sensitive areas.
• Coordinate grievance redress mechanisms in line with WRI safeguards.
• Support alignment of RIMBA project outcomes with national and/ or subnational planning instruments.
• Ensure application of FPIC, gender equity, and transparency safeguards.

• Prepare regular reports on research activities, progress on NbS Tool development, and stakeholder engagement for internal and external audiences.
• Support overall project planning, implementation, and reporting in line with workplans and donor requirements.
• Coordinate field activities, stakeholder meetings, and logistics across multiple sites.
• Assist in risk management, ensuring mitigation strategies are applied for socio-political, environmental, or logistical challenges
• Coordinate the preparation of internal and external progress reports, including, inception report, interim report, monthly activity report, executive summary for each output, and final report.
• Ensure reporting meets quality standards, is results-oriented, and aligns with donor templates and deadlines.
• Maintain up-to-date records of field activities, stakeholder meetings, outputs, and lessons learned.
• Draft or review project briefs, case studies, best practices, and input to knowledge products.

What You Will Need

• Bachelor's degree in environmental science, Natural Resource Management, Rural Development, Forestry, Sociology/Anthropology, Environmental Economics, or related field. Master's degree is preferred.
• Minimum 5 (five) years of experience in project management for a field-based project, social research/ project or a related field, preferably within the context of nature-based solutions or environmental conservation.
• Highly experience in socio-economic research and strong understanding of Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES)/Payment for Watershed Services (PWS) frameworks, ecosystem service valuation, and sustainable land-use governance.
• Proven experience in multi-stakeholder coordination with government agencies, CSOs, local communities, and/or private sector, and working experience in decentralized governance settings (preferably in Sumatra or other forest frontier regions)
• Knowledge of social research methodologies, including household surveys, FGD, KIIs, and WTP/WTA survey design are preferred.
• Ability to identify project risks and seek support to manage them with the Project Manager
• Ability to track monthly spending, develop budget and financial reports using the available template.
• Understanding PMEL standards and tools, to support the monitoring of project performance against contract requirement.
• Strong writing and research skills supported with the ability to communicate effectively to technical and non-technical audience using compelling presentation skills in both Bahasa Indonesia and English.
• Strong leadership, negotiation, and interpersonal skills with a proven ability to manage multiple priorities
• Strong interpersonal skills and cultural sensitivity, especially in working with rural and Indigenous communities
• Ability and willingness to travel (including to remote area) as required, to conduct fieldwork and engagement activities with local communities and stakeholders
• Legally able to work in Indonesia

Performance Standard

• Responsibilities are expected to be carried out in timely and satisfactory fashion with minor supervision
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office 365, SharePoint.
• Comprehensive understanding of the project's goal, strategy, and overall mission of WRI Indonesia.

Contract Arrangement

Full-time with fixed-term employment agreement up to 31 December 2025 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), 7 July 2025. 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, aswell 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: Impact, Integrity, Independence, Partnership, and Care.

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.