Urban Forestry Research Specialist

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Position Title: Urban Forestry Research Specialist
Location: Jakarta
Country: Indonesia
Deadline Date: 28 February 2025

Job Details

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

• It focuses on turning big ideas into action at the intersection of environment, economic opportunity, and human well-being. WRI addresses seven critical challenges that the world must overcome to secure a sustainable future: climate change, energy, food, forests, water, sustainable cities, and the ocean. With a global staff of over 1,800, WRI operates in 60 countries and has offices in regions including Africa, Brazil, China, Europe, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Colombia, and the United States. The organization is dedicated to delivering high-quality research, data, maps, and analysis to tackle the world's greatest environmental and international development challenges, thereby improving people's lives. WRI collaborates with leaders in government, business, and civil society to drive ambitious action and create tangible change. The organization values integrity, innovation, urgency, independence, and respect, and is committed to advancing gender and social equity in its mission and practices. WRI Indonesia, established in early 2014, builds on WRI's decade-long history in the country and aims to expand its portfolio to include projects in climate, energy, and urban transportation programs.

Job Overview:
The Urban Forestry Research Specialist will play a crucial role in supporting the Cities4Forests team by conducting robust research, providing in-depth analysis, and fostering engagement in nature-based solutions for urban environments. This position involves developing a Green House Gas (GHG) Inventory for urban trees and exploring the potential of blue and green infrastructure to enhance cities' disaster resilience. The position holder is responsible for producing high-quality, evidence-based research products that provide essential information for target audiences and stakeholders. The Research Specialist will also contribute to project management and development, working closely with the Senior Specialist for Urban Development and Mobility and the relevant project team within the Climate-Energy-Cities-Ocean program in WRI Indonesia. The role emphasizes the integration of equity into work and organizational culture, aligning with WRI's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Urban Forestry Research Specialist will engage in several key activities:

• Research (70%): Conduct research analysis to develop insights on nature-based solutions for urban issues; develop GHG inventory for trees outside forests for knowledge product development; design methodologies for data collection and support fieldwork planning; contribute to urban planning and policy development that integrates nature-based solutions; report project findings and recommendations to support informed decision-making.
• Stakeholder Engagement and Communication (15%): Support the Senior Specialist in managing strategic engagement with government agencies, private sector, and civil society organizations; collaborate with WRI Indonesia’s Communication teams to deliver outreach and engagement activities; develop internal and external communications such as presentations, blogs, articles, and infographics.
• Project Management (15%): Support project management and research delivery; contribute to progress reports for funders; facilitate project planning and implementation with stakeholders; assist in managing project coordination, consultations, and capacity-building activities, and disseminate project findings through strategic meetings and workshops.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor's degree in environmental studies, urban forestry, natural resources, or related fields. A minimum of five years of relevant work experience in urban forestry, environmental research, or sustainability-focused roles is required. Intermediate skills in geospatial analysis tools (e.g., GIS, remote sensing) are essential. Candidates should demonstrate the ability to support research projects with limited managerial guidance, including literature review, data collection, and visualization. Strong analytical research skills and experience in report and scientific writing, with a history of publishing in international peer-reviewed journals, are necessary. Proficiency in Bahasa Indonesia and English, both verbal and written, is mandatory, along with the ability to communicate research findings effectively to diverse audiences.

Educational Background:
The position requires a Bachelor's degree in environmental studies, urban forestry, natural resources, or other related fields. Advanced degrees may be preferred but are not explicitly stated as a requirement.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of five years of relevant work experience in urban forestry, environmental research, or sustainability-focused roles. This experience should include practical involvement in research projects, data analysis, and stakeholder engagement.

Languages:
Business proficiency in Bahasa Indonesia and English is mandatory for both verbal and written communications. The ability to communicate research approaches and findings effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences is essential.

Additional Notes:
The contract duration is from 1 March 2025 to 31 December 2025, with a daily rate consultant arrangement allowing for a maximum of 150 working days over the contract period, averaging 15 working days per month. This is a part-time, limited-term consultancy position. Candidates must have authorization to work in Indonesia to be eligible. Final candidates may be required to take a writing test and provide two writing samples. The position encourages applications from Indonesian nationals and emphasizes WRI's commitment to diversity and inclusion.