Program Overview
The project intends to respond to recent developments on Endowment Fund/EF or Dana Abadi in Indonesia, in particular, the developments in light of the newly enacted legal frameworks on EF, that is, the law on intergovernmental fiscal relations (Undang-UndangHubunganKeuanganPemerintah Pusat dan Daerah, UU HKPD 1/2022) and the Government Regulation on special autonomy in Papua (PP 107/2021). These legal frameworks offer a concrete and functioning proposal for an endowment fund. The two existing legal arrangements remain broad and consequently need further elaboration on what the endowment fund model and its management mechanism would look like at a more operational level in sub-national with special autonomy, like the Province of West Papua, Indonesia.
Papua is the world’s most floristically diverse island, home to a variety of endemic fauna (e.g., bird species, birds of paradise) and carbon-rich mangroves possessing some of the highest carbon values in Indonesia. As sub-national jurisdiction with special autonomy status, provinces in Papua are granted authority to manage their own development agendas, including their ambition for sustainability as declared in the Manokwari Declaration in 2018. Nonetheless, the arrangement of special autonomy is under an asymmetrical decentralization with a relationship between national and sub-national level government often pulling to different directions (such as special autonomy fund comes with earmarking regulations that limit Papua’s ability to manage its allocations flexibly according to its development needs). Preserving such unique and rich biodiversity and ecosystem features may require more flexible but reliable funding sources beyond state budget funds.
The endowment fund (EF) concept has gained a notable spotlight over the last decades. The capital in an EF is invested, and only the interest rates are used for financing any chosen activities. As a financing instrument, EF has been advocated as a solution to help meet recurrent and long-term funding needs for various purposes. Its most distinguishing feature is the ability to operate like a funding pool that can tap into diverse – and beyond public – financial resources. A unique feature of the endowment fund is that it is not limited by any fiscal year constraints, showcasing some degree of flexibility, which makes it different from the conventional public financial channels.
In Indonesia, EF has started to gain traction in the form of legal arrangements, as reflected in recently enacted laws and regulations. The sub-national government can develop its endowment funds as stated under Article 164 in the intergovernmental fiscal relations law, the UU HKPD No 1, in 2022. For Papua, the 2021 Government Regulation 107 on special autonomy also encourages the provinces in Papua to develop their EFs by sourcing their funding from natural resources and shared revenues from the central government. The drive to establish an endowment fund in Papua is there, yet a critical gap needs to be addressed, which underlies the objectives of this project.
Job Highlights
The Research Consultant will be stationed in Jakarta with possibility to travel to West Papua, Indonesia, depending on the requirement of the project. The main duty will be to supply the team with thoroughly researched knowledge products that are set to be presented to pertinent policymakers in our policy engagement areas at national and sub-national levels. The Research Consultant will work with a research team to fully demonstrate the implications of the current legal framework—Special Autonomy Regulations 107/2021 and the Intergovernmental Fiscal Relations Law 1/2022—on the possibility of creating an endowment fund (EF) as an alternative financing mechanism for sustainability in West Papua, Indonesia. The Research Consultant will critically integrate, document, and convert a variety of research findings and expert inputs into high-quality deliverables (peer-reviewed blueprints, journals, technical notes) and advocacy materials (decks, op-eds, briefs). Additionally, the Research Consultant will support the project’s outreach, engagement efforts, and overall project management needs as needed.
This project is coordinated under WRI Indonesia’s Agriculture, Forests and Land-Use (AFOLU) program, where the Research Consultant will be part of a vibrant and competent team that strives to strengthen the organization's breadth of expertise and track records in the domains of climate and public financing. The Research Consultant will be working closely with WRI's Papua Regional Team and will report to the Endowment Fund for Sustainability Project Lead.
What You Will Do
Research (60%)
- Conduct analysis on laws and regulations (and other relevant legal and scholarly documents) to achieve the overarching outcomes of the project
- Produce scholarly knowledge products (e.g., peer-reviewed reports and research publications) and engagement documents (e.g., method briefs, data products, background information) on topics such:
- The compatibility and inconsistency between Intergovernmental Fiscal Relations Law 1/2022 and Special Autonomy Regulations 107/2021
- The implications of the existing legal arrangements on the prospects of EF establishment and management mechanism, especially under the asymmetrical decentralization aspect of Indonesian West Papua
- Other related topics interlink legal aspects with financing possibilities for advancing Indonesia’s forest-rich jurisdictions
- Systematically collect, map, and critically analyze expert inputs and convert them into concise guidance (Minutes Meetings, Decks, etc.) for easy use by the team
Engagement and Outreach (30%)
- Present at public speaking occasions as a resource person with instruction and approval of line managers
- Engage key government stakeholders in communication and engagement activities related to the endowment fund for sustainability themes for the goals of forming partnerships and providing technical, advisory, and research support with approval of line managers
Project Management and Administrative Works (10%)
- Assist in planning internal and external meetings/workshops/conferences and other outreach initiatives pertaining to the endowment fund for sustainability projects
What You Will Need
- Legally able to work in Indonesia
- Master’s degree in Law, Economics, Politics, Public Policy, or any related field
- Minimum 2 years of experience as a researcher or analyst, as demonstrated by publications in reputable journals, media, and institutions
- Direct hands-on experience in conducting desk and field research, and writing reviews and reports preferably in the area of finance, development, and sustainability
- Ability to conduct research works and supported with sufficient writing skills for authoring peer-reviewed publications (scientific journal, policy brief), and contribute to the writing of the program’s communication and advocacy materials for the public
- Business proficiency in communication skills in both Bahasa Indonesian and English (written and verbal)
- Willingness to travel to remote locations in Indonesia when needed
Preferred Qualifications:
- Understanding the context of West Papua, Indonesia; policies for Climate, Forest, and Biodiversity, Sustainable Development; and national and sub-national development planning, financing, and licensing systems in Indonesia
- Understanding the asymmetrical decentralization concept, and its fiscal implications to sub-national jurisdictions in Indonesia is strongly preferred
- First-hand engagement experience with relevant policymakers in finance, climate, and sustainability, preferably in West Papua, Indonesia, is a plus
- Evident publication about finance and Papua, Indonesia, is a strong plus
Deliverables
- Research plan and collections of data for the final draft blueprint of PEF for sustainability report containing in-depth legal analysis of the current legislative frameworks and their impacts on the possibility of establishing alternative financing
- Research draft manuscript and data for the knowledge products (e.g., peer-reviewed reports and research publications), engagement documents (e.g., method briefs, data products, background information), and communication materials (i.e., presentations, op-eds, frameworks/technical analysis)
- Organized and facilitated advocacy meetings, expert consultation, and other events/workshops as resource-person/facilitator
- Draft of project meeting documents/engagement events/workshops
- Monthly progress report
Duration
16 February – 31 December 2023
Terms of Payment
Daily-rate consultant with a maximum of 18 (eighteen) working days per month
Contract Arrangement
Individual consultancy contract (Part-time, limited term)
What we offer:
- Consultant rate that is commensurate with experience and skills
- Travel insurance for both domestic and international for any travel duty as assigned by WRI Indonesia
- Access to the WRI global network
- A workplace that strives to put diversity and inclusion at the heart of our work
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), 25 January 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 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, the LGBTQ+ community, 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 Indonesiais 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.