Program Overview
The Indonesian government is dedicated to aligning economic growth with sustainable development principles, making environmental health a crucial element for long-term economic progress. The 2020-2024 National Mid-term Development Plan (RPJMN) has established agendas and priorities for providing data and information on biodiversity and ecosystems, which can be obtained through the completion of Natural Resources Accounts. The preparation of Natural Resources Accounts is now a global agreement under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD Aichi Target 2), aiming to integrate the value of biodiversity into development strategies, particularly through the national accounting system. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) echo the CBD's mandate to maintain a balance between economic growth and the environment. The 2030 SDGs Agenda prioritizes direct contributions to humanity, development, and the environment, recognizing biodiversity as a key component to reaching these objectives.
It is widely accepted that there is a strong correlation between the well-being of people, the sustainability of nature, and economic growth. In particular, the maritime sector offers many benefits and opportunities that are not being fully realized due to inadequate documentation practices. To address this issue, it is necessary to establish Ocean Accounts as a standard for balancing economic growth and ocean sustainability. These accounts comprise a structured collection of information, including maps, data, statistics, and indicators, related to the status of the marine and coastal environment, as well as societal circumstances and other relevant activities. The data obtained from Ocean Accounts are essential for effective ocean management, as they provide indicators of the balance between economic growth and the sustainability of marine resources.
As one of the WRI Indonesia Oceans strategies on Integrating Restoration and Conservation to establish Sustainable Coastal Management, WRI Indonesia is currently having a project to produce the Ocean Account for Blue Carbon Ecosystem in Marine Protected Area (MPA) and/or Integrated Coastal Zone Management (RZWP3K) at the provincial level. The project will then serve as one of the strategic documents on Ocean Account in Indonesia. Throughout the process of the development, national and subnational (Riau and NTB Provinces) will be also informed as the key relevant stakeholder for the work.
Job Highlight
In supporting the Ocean Account study, the Blue Economy Analyst is responsible to improve the accuracy and quality of ocean account implementation particularly focus on the economic evaluation of the blue carbon ecosystem (mangrove, seagrass, coral reef) as the coastal protection, carbon stock, and fisheries. The work will be conducted at national level and should be able to justify the rationale for possible interventions at island, province or local levels. As much as possible the final report and presentation should include data in graphical form, maps showing the state of the art and trends of the different ecosystem services provided by blue carbon ecosystems.
The proposed activities and tasks are described below.
Task 1. State and trends in coastal ecosystem assets (extent and condition)
This task aims at generating a better understanding of the state (e.g. extent and condition) and trends in coastal ecosystems assets over time. This includes understanding the drivers of those trends, which provide insight into the impacts that economic activities are having on the extent and condition of coastal ecosystems (mangrove, seagrass, and coral reef).
Task 2. State and trends in blue carbon ecosystem services
This task aims to generate a better understanding of the flow of ecosystem services over time, building on the outputs of Task 1. This will include a comprehensive context setting of ecosystem services stemming from coastal ecosystems, taking into consideration national and regional differences. Priority ecosystem services as coastal protection, carbon stock, and fisheries will be identified for regional sites of interest.
Task 3. Economic valuation of blue ecosystem services
This task will be conducted an in-depth analysis of the assessment of flows to the economy in accordance with the role and functions of those ecosystems (from Task 1 and 2) to identify the overall monetary value. The analysis will assess the contribution of those ecosystems to the local economy, including their role in supporting fisheries and protecting coastal areas. The Analyst will also evaluate the carbon storage capacity of these ecosystems and their potential for mitigating climate change impacts.
Task 4. Blue carbon financing mechanism
This task will involve exploring and evaluating the potential carbon stocks in Riau and NTB as well identifying suitable carbon financing mechanisms that can be applied at the regional level. The key responsibilities will include conducting assessments of carbon stocks from mangrove and their carbon sequestration potential, as well identifying opportunities for carbon market participation and other financing strategies. This task will also engage with relevant stakeholders, including government agencies, private sector entities, and local communities, to promote understanding and implementation of carbon financing mechanisms for sustainable development. The work will contribute to the enhancement of regional-level strategies for carbon management and the promotion of blue economy in Riau and NTB.
Task 5. Target policy assessment and informing MPA/RZWP3K plans
Under this task, the institutional and policy context associated with the ocean account implementation will be described and synthesized, with emphasis on the blue carbon ecosystem and its co-benefit as coastal protection, carbon stock, and fisheries to improved the coastal conservation management in the province which integrate with the national agenda on ocean account. This task will be informed by outputs from Tasks 1 to 3 โ supplemented with additional analyses โ and presented in a series of short briefs. This task will also include an evaluation of MPA/RZWP3K in Riau and NTB and a baseline study on blue carbon ecosystem condition.
What You Will Do
The activity is part of the GOAP and WRI Indonesia projects to support the Ocean Account in Riau and NTB Provinces. The activities include the development and implementation for collecting, analyzing, and disseminating on the status of Ocean Account study focusing on blue carbon ecosystem, as well as its coastal community and fisheries circumstances within MPAs/RZWP3K. This will involve collaboration with a wide range of stakeholders, including government, academics, NGOs, and local communities to ensure that the system is comprehensive, accurate, and useful for decision-making.
The consultant will contribute to three aspects, namely research, project management, and engagement. Thus, the expected deliverables from this activity are as follows:
Research
- Support technical services for analyzing the ocean account study focusing on blue carbon ecosystem (mangrove, seagrass, coral reef) and its co-benefit as coastal protection, carbon stock, and fisheries at national and provincial level.
- Provide valuable policy recommendations to ocean account study by implementing a blue economy integrate with national framework and agenda.
- Contribute to the process of economic evaluation needed to implement ocean account study to support blue economy development at national and provincial level.
- Work closely with WRI Indonesia RDI team develop and support other related marine and coastal study.
Project Management
- Participate in brainstorming activities, calls and meetings with donors, related multi-stakeholder at national and provincial level, and partners to advance the ocean account work by WRI Indonesia.
- Support the implementation of activities (workshops, discussions, research, capacity building) at national and provincial level.
- Co-manage changes to the project arrangement & timeline and ensuring its technical feasibility.
- Support the meetings and workshops with partners and prepare relevant concept notes and meeting notes as part of delivering workplan activities.
- Provide all necessary support to the project implementation at the province.
Communication and Engagement
- If needed, represent WRI in relevant local events related with ocean account and blue economy issues, including participated in the meetings and events.
- Maintain regular personal communication with the related stakeholder at national and provincial level.
- Contribute to the outreach and communication activities of knowledge products of ocean account study.
- Coordinate and engage with relevant stakeholders at province, including with the Provincial Planning Agency (BAPPEDA) and sector agencies (OPD), development partners, CSOs, local NGOs, and universities.
- Liaise with province partners and WRI regional team.
- Possible travel to Riau and NTB for data collection and subnational engagements.
What You Will Need
Required Qualifications:
- Legally able to work in Indonesia.
- Bachelorโs degree (preferred Master's degree) in natural resources management, marine science, environmental economy, or other relevant background. Good technical understanding of blue carbon ecosystem and its services, blue economy, coastal management, and development policy issues at national and international level are essential.
- 3+ years of relevant experience working on marine and coastal development issues, blue carbon ecosystem, conservation management including MPA and RZWP3K, fisheries management, and blue economy.
- Interest and experience in ocean and coastal management or other natural resources-related issues in Indonesia.
- Knowledge of economic evaluation methods used in economics and marine and coastal science.
- English fluency on both written and verbal required;
- Comfortable working in a fast-paced, deadline-oriented environment, with a diverse staff, across multiple time zones.
- Ability to take initiative, work independently, and be flexible on changing priorities.
- Exceptional writing, proofreading, and presentation skills. Publication track record will be a plus.
- Ability to travel across Indonesia.
Preferred qualifications:
- Preferably has a masterโs degree in coastal management with gained experience by working in collaboration with national provincial government on blue carbon ecosystem, conservation management, fisheries management, and blue economy.
- Preferably has experience in GIS analysis on blue carbon ecosystem (mangrove, seagrass, coral reef).
Deliverables
The Blue Economy analyst will be responsible to deliver the following task:
- Consultant is expected to provide quarterly report that consist of the information of work activities, achievement, progress, and lesson learned.
- Provide technical research of ocean account study particularly on the economic evaluation from the blue carbon ecosystem services (coastal protection, carbon stock, and fisheries) integrate with the national and provincial agenda of blue economy development.
- The consultant expected to develop method and brief description of the blue carbon economic evaluation related sectors (coastal protection, carbon stock, and fisheries).
- Develop on ocean account research and knowledge products including policy-recommendation, Indonesia Ocean Account Factsheet, and other related report.
Duration
August โ December 2023
Terms of Payment
Daily rate consultant with the maximum of 18 working days per month in average.
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), 6 August 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.