Announcement Date: April 19, 2017
Job Title: Indonesia Climate Advisor – CONTRACT POSITION / INDONESIA BASED
Indonesia Climate Advisor
The Packard Foundation seeks an experienced, strategic, well networked individual to serve in a contract position as Indonesia Climate Advisor (Advisor) to support the implementation of the Packard Foundation’s Palm Oil Strategy and related work in Indonesia that will contribute to Indonesia’ s commitment on climate change through sustainable land use. The Advisor will also support the relevant interests and investments of the Foundation’s Climate sub program, Organizational Effectiveness Program, and Agriculture, Livelihoods and Conservation Initiative, as well as our close collaboration with the Climate and Land Use Alliance (CLUA).
The Palm Oil Strategy includes “supply-side” and “demand-side” interventions designed to reduce land-based greenhouse gas emissions from palm oil production, with a primary focus on Indonesia. The strategy aims to reduce the emissions trajectory of the oil palm industry in Indonesia by dramatically slowing the rate of conversion of peatland and native forests to new plantations, while anticipating and mitigating the adverse consequences for longer-term goals, other geographies, and the rights and livelihoods of affected communities. Over the long-term, the strategy aims to catalyze a transformational shift in the oil palm industry globally to one that is low-carbon, pro-smallholder, and respectful of international norms related to protection of land and labor rights and biodiversity values and that address the legacy issues associated with plantations already under cultivation.
In Indonesia, this includes the following specific objectives:
- Achieve sufficient incentives and support to effect meaningful changes in law, policy and practice for governing land use the jurisdictional level
- Demonstrate “jurisdictional approach” pilots that provide incentives for early movers in both public and private sectors
- Enable the development and promotion of alternative narratives to the dominant narrative, emphasizing the benefits of sustainable development in the land use sectors and influencing the decision making processes of key stakeholders
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
As a contractor, the Advisor will perform the following and other duties as assigned:
- Act as a field-based representative for the development, refinement and advancement of learning related to the Foundation’s grants portfolio in Indonesia; make site visits, attend meetings, and clearly and consistently communicate with grant recipients, CLUA team members and other partners in a transparent, timely, and respectful manner
- Coordinate with the CLUA Initiative Coordinator and the CLUA team based in Jakarta to strengthen the integration and synergy of the Palm Oil strategy into CLUA’s overall program in Indonesia including participating in team calls, meetings and CLUA retreats as and when needed
- Proactively explore and report on opportunities to help achieve the objectives of the Palm Oil Strategy; stay informed about various policy initiatives, scientific analyses, and institutional changes important to the strategy’s objectives and grant making strategy
- Identify opportunities to improve grant administration and implementation in country, including facilitating consistent dialogue with grant recipients regarding reporting, monitoring, and evaluation
- Provide technical assistance to grant recipients when needed and requested, including, for example, on institutional development strategies, monitoring and evaluation methodologies, or grant administration
- Initiate useful partnerships in the field between implementing partners and other stakeholders
- Make frequent contact with representatives of other relevant donors, private sector, and government entities with whom the Foundation might directly collaborate
- Identify opportunities and/or the need to bring grant recipients in Indonesia together around specific topics, skills training, etc.
- Facilitate knowledge sharing among CLUA partners and other relevant stakeholders in Indonesia
- Participate in the development of grant recommendations
- Participate in updates to the palm oil strategy, strategic planning and team discussions, providing input and complementary analysis
- Represent the Packard Foundation and the CLUA Indonesia Initiative externally
- As requested, represent other Packard Foundation sub programs, including the Climate subprogram and the Agriculture, Livelihoods and Conservation Initiative.
Professional Qualifications
The successful candidate will possess the following minimum qualifications:
- Commitment to finding ways to reduce climate impacts and conserve and sustainably manage resources for the health of both biologically diverse ecosystems and the people who rely upon them
- An advanced degree in public policy, natural resource management, economics, or other relevant field
- Familiarity and experience working with grassroots, NGOs, government and multilateral institutions involved with tropical forests and land use
- Experience working with the private sector is preferred but not required
- Significant understanding of the economic, political and social dynamics in Indonesia
- Proven experience effectively managing complex projects
- Exceptional written and oral communication skills in English and Bahasa Indonesia
- Clear, diplomatic communication skills and ability to engage individuals from a wide variety of cultures, disciplines, academic backgrounds, and institutions
- Intellectual agility, desire to learn, and ability to analyze, think critically, and understand situations and apply information directly relevant to assigned grant making priorities
- Initiative and capacity to sustain work, as well as set and complete tasks, with minimal direction
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team, particularly one that is widely dispersed;
- Capacity to effectively manage time and resources (operating within overall grants budgets as well as the Advisor’s own contract and travel budget), and meet deadlines
- Willingness to perform and coordinate administrative duties, as required
- Ability and willingness to travel frequently throughout the Indonesia as well as, occasionally to the United States, sometimes over weekends and public holidays
- Experience with grant making desirable, but not essential
Personal Attributes
The following personal attributes are desired:
- Approachable demeanor and openness to input from all levels of staff and grantees
- Excellent interpersonal skills, including an ability to listen to others and learn from their best ideas, share best practices and experiences, and contribute to a learning environment
- Impeccable integrity and trustworthiness, sense of humor, and diplomatic approach to problem-solving
- Ability to consistently interact with others in a professional, courteous, and tactful manner, maintain a positive attitude and good working relationships, and work effectively in a team setting
- Ability to work well with colleagues, consultants, funders, and grantees across many diverse cultures and backgrounds
- Enjoys frequent travel
This is a contract position located in Indonesia. The Advisor is a contractor, not an employee of the Foundation. This is anticipated to be a long term initiative. However, each year the contract budget and deliverables will be reviewed, revised as needed and, if appropriate, put forward for approval.
To Apply
To be considered for this contract position, interested candidates must submit a resume, cover letter, salary requirement to climateadvisorjob@packard.org before May 31, 2017. We will be considering applications as they are received.
About the Packard Foundation
The David and Lucile Packard Foundation (Foundation) is a family foundation that is guided by the enduring business philosophy and personal values of Lucile and David Packard, who helped found one of the world’s leading technology companies. Today, their children and grandchildren continue to help guide the work of the Foundation. Their approach to business and community participation has guided our philanthropy for 50 years. The David and Lucile Packard Foundation works on the issues our founders cared about most: improving the lives of children, enabling the creative pursuit of science, advancing reproductive health, conserving and restoring the earth’s natural systems, and supporting and strengthening an array of local nonprofit organizations.
A staff of 120 conducts the day-to-day operations of the Foundation and a Board of Trustees oversees the work of the Foundation. David and Lucile Packard passed onto the Foundation the following core set of values: integrity, respect for all people, belief in individual leadership, commitment to effectiveness, and the capacity to think big.
The Foundation’s Conservation and Science (C&S) Program invests in action and ideas that conserve and restore ecosystems while enhancing human well-being. The C&S Program supports public policy reforms, changes in private sector practices, and scientific activities to develop essential knowledge and tools for addressing current and future priorities. C&S support
