Consultant as Agriculture Research Lead (Bali based)

World Resources Institute (WRI) Indonesia; Provinsi Bali; Hybrid; IDR 200,000,000 - 300,000,000; Part time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking an Agriculture Research Lead to spearhead a transformative initiative focused on enhancing the governance of Bali's rice supply chain. This role involves leading research efforts, formulating policy recommendations, and engaging with local communities to promote sustainability and social equity. The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in agricultural economics and rural development, coupled with a passion for driving positive change. Join a dynamic team that values innovation and collaboration, and contribute to creating a more inclusive and sustainable future for Bali.

Benefits

Travel Insurance

Access to Global Network

Flexible Work Arrangement

Qualifications

• Minimum 7 years of experience in agricultural and rural development projects.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to interpret complex data.
• Proven experience working with local communities and farmers.

Responsibilities

• Lead research on GEDSI issues and rural development initiatives.
• Formulate policy recommendations for sustainable agricultural practices.
• Engage with local communities to promote inclusive governance.

Skills

Agricultural Economics

Rural Development

Data Analysis

Community Engagement

Policy Formulation

Project Management

Research Methodologies

Education

Master’s degree in Agriculture

Ph.D. in related fields

Tools

Statistical Analysis Software

Data Visualization Tools

Job description

Program Overview

WRI Indonesia is an independent research organization that turns big ideas into action at the nexus of environment, economic opportunity, and human well-being. At WRI Indonesia, we aim to bring innovations in research and business approaches to create the enabling conditions for Indonesia to achieve robust economic growth while respecting environmental and social values. We seek to contribute to the accomplishment of ambitious sustainable development goals through working with leaders in public and private sectors, as well as collaborating with civil society organizations, in turning big ideas into action.

KONEKSI – Digital Solutions for Advancing Rice Supply Chain Governance in Bali

The program "Digital Solutions for Advancing Rice Supply Chain Governance in Bali Province" aims to ensure the availability of high-quality rice in Bali by strengthening supply chain management through regular monitoring platforms, thereby benefitting both farmers and consumers. By addressing gaps and challenges in the current policy framework, this initiative promotes sustainability and advances Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) principles. The program involves women, gender-balanced groups, and vulnerable populations to rectify structural inequalities, emphasizes long-term environmental and social well-being, and ensures equitable access to sustainable economic systems. Key activities include comprehensive data collection, stakeholder analysis, user research, and platform enhancement to provide accurate and timely information to all stakeholders.

The program also focuses on stakeholder engagement and capacity building through workshops, sharing sessions, and pilot tests. Policy analysis and recommendations aim to identify GEDSI-related gaps and advocate for institutional reforms. A participatory research design engages local communities to co-design research objectives and validate findings, ensuring inclusivity and empowerment. Expected outcomes include increased awareness among policymakers and communities about GEDSI considerations, strengthened capacity and empowerment of GEDSI groups, improved social inclusion, and enhanced sustainability in agricultural governance. This holistic approach harmonizes economic viability, social equity, and environmental resilience, creating a more inclusive and sustainable future for Bali.

Data Lab Indonesia

The Data Lab Unit aims to establish a leading hub for open-source data, code, and visualizations, fostering data democratization and collaboration among NGOs and development partners. By addressing critical challenges such as unsustainable data platform management strategies, technical inconsistencies, and high employee turnover, the unit will ensure the long-term sustainability and impact of WRI Indonesia's platforms. This initiative transforms grant-dependent outputs into powerful tools for driving positive change in climate resilience, social equity, and nature conservation across Indonesia and Southeast Asia. Aligning with WRI's strategy, the Data Lab Unit promotes systemic, data-driven solutions, transitioning WRI's approach from isolated project delivery to broader systems change while enhancing institutional capabilities and addressing financial sustainability gaps to create scalable, impactful initiatives.

Job Highlight

The Agriculture Research Lead will play a key role in the "Digital Solutions for Advancing Rice Supply Chain Governance in Bali Province" program, a transformative initiative aimed at enhancing the governance of Bali's rice supply chain through digital solutions and the integration of Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) principles.

Key responsibilities include strengthening of Subak communities and rural development initiatives by conducting evidence-based research, providing technical assistance, and formulating policy recommendations focused on sustainable rice commodity value chains. Lead and coordinate research, capacity building, data collection, and stakeholder engagement activities in collaboration with internal teams and local partners to drive inclusion, and GEDSI-sensitive rural transformation. Additionally, the Research Lead will assist in user research by identifying pain points, user needs, and user journeys by collecting relevant data to develop features for the digital platform.

This position will be based in Bali with an office-flex working arrangement under the supervision of Nature Based Solutions Manager and collaborative support from WRI Indonesia’s GEDSI and Data Lab team and might requiretravel as needed/assigned.

What You Will Do

Research (70%)

• Lead the project’s research team in analyzing the development opportunities, GEDSI issues, technical feasibility, financial and administrative management capacity, and institutional framework relevant to rural development initiatives.
• Formulate policy or technical recommendations related to rural development, particularly focusing on the intersection of agricultural and rice commodities sectors.
• Support the institutional setting, community empowerment, and facilitation processes to enhance the governance mechanisms of the rice supply chain.
• Conduct knowledge to Subak communities, farmers, and field agricultural extension workers to promote inclusive and sustainable agricultural practices.
• Contribute to the collection and dissemination of relevant data and information related to agricultural and development economics, policy, social and institutional frameworks related to rural development, and value chains.
• Utilize findings from research, field surveys, and data collection activities to inform and support the development of rural policies and agricultural strategies.
• Work closely with the Data Lab team to assist with user research by collecting data on pain points, user needs, and user journeys.
• Partner with the Research and Data Integrity (RDI) team and GEDSI team to support initiatives related to research and knowledge product.
• Partner with the Communication team to develop and organize communication products and events related to research and capacity building activities.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support the overall objectives of the program.
  
  

Project Management and Stakeholder Engagement (30%)

• Provide technical support, training, and knowledge-sharing activities to strengthen local communities in agricultural management and rural development.
• Present evidence-based recommendations to key stakeholders through clear reports and presentations.
• Engage regularly with local communities, Subak communities, community groups, field agricultural extension workers, research institutions, and other relevant institutions to ensure programs are inclusive, context-specific, and actionable.
• Assist the Senior Program Lead in organizing and facilitating periodic reviews, activity monitoring, and ensuring timely project deliverables.
• Prepare minutes of meetings, travel reports, and other relevant documents to support program/project activities.
• Support the program/project lead in developing reports, working papers, and other communication materials.
• Report monthly activities to the Senior Program Lead to ensure alignment with program goals and timelines.
  
  

General Support

• Contribute to cross-output implementation support of the program across Bali and other areas as needed.
• Provide additional support as requested by the project leadership team to ensure the overall success of the initiative.
  
  

What You Will Need

• Master’s degree in Agriculture, Agricultural Economics, Sustainable Development, or other related fields. Ph.D is preferred.
• Minimum 7 (seven) years of experience in agricultural and/or rural development project.
• Demonstrable understanding, experience and knowledge of rural development, rural livelihoods, community-based development, sustainable food systems, and natural resource management, particularly at the intersection with other sectors.
• Experience in conducting social impact assessments, equity analysis, or community-based research, facilitation, and capacity building.
• Proven experience working with local communities, farmers group, and other agricultural workers, especially in a cultural and socio-economic context similar to Bali
• Ability to support discrete elements of research project with limited manager guidance, e.g. systematically reviewing, analyzing, and synthesizing existing literature; collecting, cleaning, organizing, and visualizing data.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex data and identify key insights.
• Familiarity with quantitative and qualitative research methods and data analysis techniques, supported with ability to identify and operate suitable tools
• Ability to communicate research approach and findings effectively to diverse audiences, using compelling presentation.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, interdisciplinary environment.
• Basic experience in project management.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented
• Business proficiency in verbal and written communication skills in both English and Bahasa Indonesia, with proficiency in Basa Bali preferable.
• Eligible to be stationed in Bali and willing to travel as assigned.
• Ability and willingness to travel as assigned
• Legally able to work in Indonesia
  
  

Performance Standard

• Responsibilities are expected to be carried out in timely and satisfactory fashion with minor supervision.
• Good communication skills for correspondence purposes, reports, and knowledge products, both in Indonesian and English.
  
  

Duration

This position is to commence immediately for a contract period up to 31 December 2025 and an open possibility for an extension subject to individual performance evaluations, project needs, and budget availability

Deliverables

• Develop a technical recommendation and/or policy brief focused on Subak communities and rural development, with a particular emphasis on strengthening the rice commodity sector.
• Analysis of data collected from the field research, identifying key trends, challenges, and opportunities within the rice supply chain, submitted in a timely and satisfactory manner according to WRI research standards.
• Contribute to mapping social and institutional structure trelated to rice supply chain and the relationship between those structures
• Regular report on project activities, including monthly activity report, engagement activities with local communities, travel report, etc
• Produce summary for each community engagement activities including lesson learned and follow-up action recommendations
• Research results or communication materials developed and disseminated to targeted audience.
• Contribute to writing project reports, field notes, and research papers to support the success of KONEKSI as assigned.
  
  

Terms of Payment

Daily rate-based 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), 20 May 2025. 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 that 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, aswell 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, gender diverse communities, 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 Indonesia is 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.