Consultant as Research Assistant

Research Assistant will provide essential support to ensure the smooth development of Plastic Pollution and Biodiversity research while maintaining its compliances with WRI Indonesia research procedures. Key responsibilities include conducting literature reviews, data collection, and analysis on plastic pollution, biodiversity loss, and waste management strategies. This position will be actively involved in field research, managing research data, and contributing to reports, knowledge products, and communication materials. Additionally, the Research Assistant will support the preparation of administrative documents (e.g., ToR) and engagement efforts with national and subnational stakeholders to support data collection activities and consultations.

This position will be based in Jakarta with office-flex working arrangement and travel requirement as assigned. Reporting directly to Ocean & Plastic Waste Engagement Lead/ NPAP Community Coordinator, this position needs to work closely with the rest of the Ocean and Plastic Pollution team. 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.

Research Management, Knowledge and Publication:

• Conduct literature reviews on plastic pollution, its effects on biodiversity, and plastic waste management strategies (including ALDFG, EPR, and other relevant frameworks).
• Assist in data collection and analysis related to plastic pollution and biodiversity, including assessing plastic leakage, biodiversity loss, ecosystem degradation, stakeholder mapping and broader plastic pollution management issues.
• Support field research activities, including sampling and primary data collection through interviews, focus group discussions (FGDs), and other qualitative and quantitative methods.
• Contribute to the development and drafting of working papers and reports, including data analysis and synthesis.
• Assist in data management and organization for relevant research activities.
• Collaborate with the team to develop knowledge products and communication materials, such as reports, briefs, data products, tools, and blogs, to enhance the visibility of WRI Indonesia’s efforts.

Engagements and project management:

• Support in developing administrative documents (e.g., ToR) relevant to plastic pollution and biodiversity research/study
• Support in engaging national and subnational stakeholders pertinent to the Plastic Pollution and Biodiversity study, including for invitation dissemination and consultation

Required qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Ecology, Marine Biology, Waste Management, or other related fields.
• Minimum 2 (two) years of professional research experience
• Experience in research, data analysis, or field studies related to plastic pollution or biodiversity.
• Knowledge of key frameworks in plastic pollution and biodiversity is a plus.
• Ability to support discrete elements of research projects with manager guidance, e.g. systematically reviewing and synthesizing existing literature; collecting, cleaning, organizing, analyzing and visualizing data.
• Basic experience in writing section of knowledge or communications product
• Proficiency in GIS mapping, statistical tools, or environmental modeling is an advantage.
• Ability to work independently and in a team, with strong organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Ability and willingness to travel when needed
• Legally able to work in Indonesia

Preferred qualifications:

• Familiarity with policy and research discussions on plastic waste management and conservation.
• Understanding of the intersection between circular economy principles and biodiversity conservation.

Source: https://jobs.jobvite.com/wri/job/oL8qvfwy