Forestry Analyst for PES

Job Posting Organization:
World Resources Institute (WRI) Indonesia is an independent, nonprofit global research organization founded in 198

• It operates at the intersection of environment, economic opportunity, and human well-being, addressing critical challenges such as climate change, energy, food, forests, water, sustainable cities, and the ocean. WRI has a global staff of over 1,800 people and works in more than 60 countries, with offices in Africa, Brazil, China, Europe, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Colombia, and the United States. WRI Indonesia, established in early 2014, builds on WRI's 10-year history in the country and aims to expand its presence and portfolio to include projects in climate, energy, and urban transportation. The organization is committed to delivering high-quality research and analysis to solve environmental challenges and improve lives, while promoting gender and social equity in its mission and practices.

Job Overview:
The Forestry Analyst for PES will focus on socio-economic studies and stakeholder engagement to pilot Payment for Watershed Services (PWS) frameworks and enhance the Nature-based Solution (NbS) Tool for the Southeast Asia Climate and Nature-based Solution (SCeNe) Coalition. This role involves integrating hydrological data to improve climate adaptation and community resilience. The analyst will be responsible for mapping water multi-stakeholders, conducting Willingness to Pay (WTP) and Willingness to Accept (WTA) analyses, developing PWS economic models, and conducting capacity building for optimizing pilot PWS frameworks. The position supports the RIMBA Ecosystem Connectivity initiative by conducting socio-economic studies and ensuring sustainable water resource management within critical ecosystems in regions such as Kerinci, Sungai Penuh, and Merangin. The role requires close coordination with various specialists and is based in Jambi, with flexible working arrangements and travel as needed.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct social economy assessments for the development of PWS frameworks and refine the NbS Tool.
• Analyze and report on the social aspects of nature-based solutions, contributing to the triple benefits framework (biodiversity, climate, and social).
• Collaborate with team members to integrate socio-economic data into econometric valuation.
• Design survey instruments for WTP and WTA assessments, recruit and train enumerators, and ensure quality control.
• Develop localized economic models for PWS and integrate WTP/WTA results into pricing models.
• Identify and map potential Social Forestry (SF) areas for PWS frameworks.
• Design and implement econometric parameters for valuing water services and social aspects.
• Develop a stakeholder engagement strategy for inclusive PWS governance.
• Facilitate field participatory exercises and conduct Training Needs Assessments (TNA) among key actor groups. 1
• Provide strategy and pilot implementation of PWS at the community level. 1
• Design and implement training modules on environmental services and gender inclusion. 1
• Conduct baseline profiling of livelihood systems and institutional frameworks. 1
• Ensure application of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC), gender equity, and transparency safeguards. 1
• Collaborate with project coordinators and specialists to ensure successful integration of hydrological research into the RIMBA project. 1
• Prepare regular reports on research activities and stakeholder engagement. 1
• Coordinate field activities and stakeholder meetings across multiple sites. 1
• Assist in risk management for socio-political, environmental, or logistical challenges.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Forestry, Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, or related fields.
• A minimum of 5 years of experience in social forestry, human dimensions, payment ecosystem services, or related fields, preferably in nature-based solutions or environmental conservation.
• Experience in socio-economic research and a strong understanding of Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) and Payment for Watershed Services (PWS) frameworks.
• Proven experience in socio-economic studies, community facilitation, and stakeholder engagement in community-based forest management contexts.
• Knowledge of social research methodologies, including household surveys and survey design.
• Strong analytical and research skills, with the ability to support research projects with limited guidance.
• Excellent writing and communication skills in both Bahasa Indonesia and English.
• Self-motivated, detail-oriented, and organized, with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Experience in stakeholder engagement and capacity building, particularly in water resource management and NbS projects. 1
• Strong interpersonal skills and cultural sensitivity, especially in working with rural and Indigenous communities. 1
• Ability and willingness to travel to remote areas for fieldwork and engagement activities.

Educational Background:
A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Forestry, Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, or related fields is required for this position. This educational background is essential to ensure that the candidate possesses the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively engage in socio-economic research, stakeholder engagement, and the development of frameworks related to Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) and Nature-based Solutions (NbS).

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of experience in relevant fields such as social forestry, human dimensions, payment ecosystem services, or environmental conservation. This experience should ideally include work within the context of nature-based solutions, demonstrating a strong understanding of socio-economic research methodologies and community engagement practices. Candidates should have a proven track record of managing field-based projects and facilitating stakeholder engagement, particularly in community-based forest management contexts.

Languages:
Fluency in Bahasa Indonesia and English is mandatory for this position. The ability to communicate effectively in both languages is crucial for stakeholder engagement, report writing, and collaboration with team members. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset, but is not required.

Additional Notes:
This is a full-time position with a fixed-term employment agreement lasting until 31 December 2025, with a three-month consultancy contract prior to the start of the fixed-term agreement. The position is locally engaged, and Indonesian nationals are encouraged to apply. Candidates must have authorization to work in Indonesia to be eligible for this position. The organization offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package, access to a global network, and opportunities for career development within a mission-driven organization. Final candidates may be required to take a writing test and provide two writing samples as part of the selection process.