Consultant as Papua Environmental Law Specialist, Food Land and Water Program This is a hybrid position which requires 8 days per month in the office. You will be based in Sorong, Southwest Papua. Existing work authorization is required at the time of application submission as WRI is unable to sponsor any visa work sponsorship for this position. Program Overview Improving Policies and Governance for Sustainable Protection of Nature, Climate, and Indigenous Communities in Papua This program aims to transform development in Tanah Papua by strengthening the systems that guide how policies, land governance, and financing decisions are made. Building on a growing evidence base, the program will help provincial governments integrate data-driven insights into planning and budgeting, ensuring that economic development aligns with ecological integrity and the commitment to maintain 70 percent forest cover. It will also reinforce the recognition and protection of customary territories by enhancing the capacity, coordination, and technical foundations of key institutions. In parallel, the program will catalyze a shift toward inclusive and sustainable finance by encouraging public and private investment in low-carbon, community-centered economic opportunities. Through strengthened governance, innovative financing mechanisms, and partnerships with Indigenous institutions, women, youth, and the private sector, the program aims to establish a more just, climate-resilient, and forest-positive development model for Tanah Papua. Job Highlight The Papua Environmental Law Specialist will be based in Sorong with office-flex working arrangement to provide support in providing systematic and comprehensive legal and technical analysis of the existing governance, spatial, and environmental laws and regulations related to achieving sustainability pathways for the six provinces of Tanah Papua. This position will work within a research team to develop evidence-based, context-driven legal recommendations and document them in the form of high-quality knowledge products and advocacy materials for relevant policymakers and stakeholders. Furthermore, this role will actively support the engagement effort with relevant stakeholders by applying legal expertise to guide discussion, inform decision-making, and ensure compliance with environmental regulations. Reporting to the Papua Regional Senior Lead, this position will closely coordinate with other key personnel of the projects within the region and expected to liaise closely with the partners implementing similar programs as well as relevant agencies of the government, local authorities, and civil society. 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. What You Will Do Research (40%) Systematically collect, map, and provide legal analysis of relevant environmental, and sustainability of national and sub-national laws and regulations related to special autonomy implementation in Tanah Papua. Create reference materials for internal and external use. Develop in-depth technical and legal assessments on: Supporting an initiation of collaborative body and/or delivery unit between provincial governments in Tanah Papua to better coordinate and accelerate sustainable development policies and programs. Integrating a new economic framework that protects nature and empowers Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLC) in national and sub-national planning policies and programs. Operationalizing the legal framework for innovative and sustainable finance (e.g. public, private, blended) to work at the sub-national level, particularly endowments or other forms of trust funds for sustainability objectives. Enabling policies that support landscape and biodiversity conservation, sustainable land-use initiatives including licensing review, and the recognition and protection of Indigenous Peoples. Support other research and communication teams in authoring or co-authoring knowledge products. Other engagement documents relevant to achieving the initiatives outcomes. Engagement and Outreach (40%) Actively engage with key and high-level stakeholders in six provinces to consolidate shared vision and collaboration between each government towards sustainable development of Tanah Papua and conserving at least 70% forests Support research advocacy efforts with relevant external stakeholders by acting as a resource person, as assigned by the Line Manager. Support engagement with key stakeholders working in areas of sustainability (economics, spatial, social, finance) with the goal of forming partnerships, as assigned by the Line Manager. Project Management and Administrative Tasks (20%): Assist with the planning, reporting, and material preparation of internal and external meetings, focus group discussions, workshops, conferences, and outreach initiatives as assigned by projects by the Line Manager. Assist with fundraising proposals for potential donors. What You Will Need Bachelor’s degree in environmental law, environmental policy, public administration, constitutional law or other related field. A minimum of 4 (four) years’ professional experience in legal and technical research related to environmental, social, and sustainability regulations, and proven involvement in legislation and policy-drafting processes. Experience conducting legal research and analysis on national and sub-national environmental regulations, including in a special autonomy regions. Familiarity with the concept of asymmetrical decentralization and its fiscal implications at the sub – national level in Indonesia. Ability to support discrete elements of research projects with manager support, e.g. systematically reviewing and synthesizing existing literature; collecting, cleaning, organizing, analyzing and visualizing data. Proficient research, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to synthetize technical information into clear and actionable insight. Previous engagement experience with policymakers in the areas of finance, climate, and sustainability, or engagement with stakeholders in Tanah Papua, Indonesia, is preferred. Strong written and verbal communication skills including author and co-author knowledge product, reports, and engagement document in both Bahasa Indonesian and English. Experience in developing research reports, including the ability to evaluate and interpret diverse types of legal documents. Possess basic understanding on indigenous culture and practices, particularly in the context of Tanah Papua. Ability and willingness to travel as assigned including remote location. Legally able to work in Indonesia. Duration 1 April 2026 31 December 2026 with the possibility of extension subject to to projects needs, performance evaluation, and budget availability Deliverables Knowledge products as assigned by Line Manager which encompasses both a working paper/policy brief/report, including engagement, advocacy, and communication materials (e.g., presentations, op-eds, frameworks/technical analysis) are produced in accordance to WRI research standards and disseminated to targeted key stakeholders in a timely and satisfactory manner. Supporting strategic engagement by delivering: (1) a stakeholder map and engagement strategy identifying key legal-law actors and entry points for influencing policy; (2) a concise legal toolkit for the Papua Delivery Unit (PDU), summarizing relevant laws, and practical implications; and (3) talking points to support PDU and provincial leaders in communicating complex legal issues in high-level meetings and stakeholder forums. Project meeting reports including follow up actions recommendations are submitted in a timely manner Provide legal advice and advocacy related to the project for the internal team whenever necessary. A comprehensive monthly progress report that include work progress, challenges, achievement, and lesson learned. Terms of Payment Daily rate-based consultant with a maximum…