Blue Forests Foundation Job Vacancy: Social Economic Field Staff - Asmat, Papua

Job Title: Social Economic Field Staff
Status: Project Staff
Duration: 1 year
Project: USAID-LESTARI
Organization: Yayasan Hutan Biru (YHB) / Blue Forests
Report to: Program Manager and Social Economic Specialist
Supervision of: Program Manager
Duty Station: Asmat Office

LESTARI BACKGROUND
USAID’s LESTARI project supports the Government of Indonesia to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and conserve biodiversity in carbon rich and biologically significant forest and mangrove ecosystems. Built on the strong foundation of USAID’s IFACS project, LESTARI applies a landscape approach to reduce GHG emissions, integrating forest and peat land conservation with low emissions development (LEDS) on other, already degraded land. This is achieved through improved land use governance, enhanced protected areas management and protection of key species, sustainable private sector and industry practices, and expanded constituencies for conservation among various stakeholders. LESTARI is implemented under the leadership of Tetra Tech and a consortium of partners including WWF-Indonesia, Winrock International, Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), Blue Forests, Yayasan Sahabat Cipta, PT Hydro South Pole Carbon, Sustainable Travel International (STI), Michigan State University, and the FIELD Foundation. LESTARI runs from August 2015 through July 2020.

LESTARI activities are targeted in seven strategic landscapes on three of Indonesia’s largest islands, where primary forest cover remains most intact and carbon stocks are greatest. In northern Sumatra, the LESTARI landscapes – Aceh Selatan and Aceh Tenggara – comprise the focal districts of Aceh Selatan, Gayo Lues and Aceh Tenggara, and surround Leuser National Park. In Central Kalimantan, LESTARI works in the Katingan Landscape, comprising Katingan and Pulang Pisau districts, Palangka Raya municipality, and Sebangau and Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Parks. LESTARI also works in four landscapes in Papua including Sarmi and Cyclops along the northern coast, and Mimika and Asmat including a large portion of Lorentz National Park on the southern coast. LESTARI is managed from its headquarters in Jakarta, with offices in each landscape as well as the provincial capitals of Aceh, Central Kalimantan and Papua.

Overall Results of LESTARI are:

• At least 41% of total CO2-equivalent emissions reduced from land use, land use change and deforestation averaged across all landscapes within the project scope;
• At least 8.42 Million hectares of primary or secondary forest, including orang utan habitat, under improved management;
• Management of at least six conservation areas improved, resulting in the conservation of  valuable orangutan and other key species habitat, and the reduction in poaching of threatened and endemic species;
• At least ten public-private partnerships (PPPs) promoting low-emissions conservation oriented development established;
• Funding leveraged from public and private sources, representing co-investment in project outcomes;
• Increased commitment of key private sector, government, and community stakeholders regarding the positive benefits of conservation and sustainable use of forests and the species they encompass; and
• Policies, laws, regulations, and procedures in support of low emission development and forest conservation and management increased, promulgated, and enforced at all levels.
• Models for successful integration of district, provincial, and national low emissions development and forest conservation strategies developed and share data levels of government and with other key stakeholders.

OBJECTIVE
Based in Asmat, Papua, Social Economic Field Staff will work under the supervision and guidance of Program Manager as well as coordination with Social Economic Specialist. S/he will be the principal representative of executing the overall activities in field level and report to Program Manager and Social Economic Specialist. The major responsibility of Social Economic Field Staff is to support the Program Manager for establishing strong coordination and linkages amongst all the major project stakeholders in the field level to ensure the program activities are implemented successfully.

TASKS

• Responsible for carrying out all activities related to the socio-economic elements of society are taken into consideration in every work plan and program implementation in Asmat.
• Provide technical advice and supervision related to socio-economic aspects in all activities in LLL - Asmat both for LESTARI’s scope or stakeholders.
• Responsible and involved in aspects of planning, implementation and reporting Technical Activities include:
• Capacity building for Yepem Village community.
• Operationalization of land management agreement in Yepem Village.
• Coordination and strong cooperation with LESTARI LLL – Asmat partners.
• Responsible for coordination and technical supervision with LESTARI LLL-Asmat partners, Dinas Pertanian dan Perikanan, Diskoperindag, Dinsos, and other related parties in Asmat Region.
• Other assignments as requested by Program Manager.

Reporting:

• Bi-weekly Report.
• Activity Report for technical activities of his/her responsibilities.
• 3 stories from the field during the contract period.
• 1 photo journal within caption every month to be submitted by Knowledge Development Officer.

QUALIFICATION:
Education: Minimum Bachelor’s (S1) degree in social, economic, marine and fishery science, biology, forestry, agriculture, or relevant degrees.

Requirements:

• Experience in facilitating the community development minimum 1 year.
• Ready to mingle with local Papuans, especially the Asmat Tribe.
• Have a basic understanding of indigenous community issues, community-based economic development, forestry especially mangroves and swamp forests, and collaborative and sustainable forest and land management.
• Proven ability to train and mentor local community.
• Ability to prioritize own workload, to work independently and to work to deadlines.
• Good team player and interpersonal skills.
• Willingness to travel at short notice, and often in difficult circumstances.
• Strong commitment to gender, diversity issues, equal opportunities and capacity building
• Obey with the aims and objectives of LESTARI project and Blue Forests.
• Analytical skills with ability to honestly assess, evaluate and draw up plans for action to improve the program;
• Ability to take and analyze information from different parts of the program into well-written progress reports;
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work sensitively with people from various cultural and social background;
• Effective writing and effective verbal communication skills in Bahasa Indonesia, with skills in English, is an advantage.
• Computer literacy - good working knowledge of spreadsheets essential.

HOW TO APPLY
Send your CV and Cover Letter to rieski@blue-forests.org no later than 2 November 2017.