Sustainable Energy Transition Indonesia (SETI) Senior Lead

Program Overview

The Sustainable Energy Transition in Indonesia (SETI) Project has the main objective to support Indonesia’s energy transition by increasing the share of renewable energy and improving the energy efficiency of key industries, as well as the built environment. To achieve this, SETI follows a multi-level approach that focuses on the demand perspective: it demonstrates innovative technologies and business cases to encourage private sector actors to replicate successful renewable energy and energy efficiency approaches in industry. This is accompanied by improving the readiness of financial instruments for sustainable energy investments. Through piloting integrated energy planning and its implementation on the municipal level, SETI will also bring the topic of decarbonization to the sub-national level. Finally, SETI loops back results, lessons learned, and experiences to the national level to design a relevant and fertile policy framework.

SETI is implemented through a consortium of Indonesian and international implementing partners, consisting of GIZ, WRI Indonesia, IESR, and Yayasan Indonesia Cerah. Anchored with the Direktorat Jenderal Energi Baru Terbarukan dan Konservasi Energi (DJ EBTKE) under the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (MEMR), SETI works with different energy-related political partners, including Bappenas, the Ministry of Industry, the Ministry of Finance, PLN, to name a few.

As one of the consortium members and implementing partners, WRI Indonesia’s main task is to plan and execute activities for Output 3 (Industry Innovation Lab), as well as taking over the responsibility for achieving the respective impacts by collaborating with the Government of Indonesia stakeholders, as well with other relevant stakeholders like the Kadin Net Zero Hub (Kadin NZH), industrial estate(s), companies, and business associations. WRI will also coordinate and support the SETI consortium in some activities of Output 1 (Policy), 2 (Finance), and 4 (Urban Energy Lab).

Under its Energy and Sustainable Business portfolio, WRI Indonesia has been closely working to drive the adoption of transformative business models, develop net-zero business supporting ecosystem, and empower businesses to achieve net-zero targets. WRI Indonesia contributes to the industrial decarbonization space by developing research, decarbonization strategy tools, climate innovation, and evidence-based policy recommendations, as well as leading two flagship initiatives, which are: (i) The Kadin Net Zero Hub (Kadin NZH), a knowledge hub to assist companies affiliated with Indonesia's Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) on their path to net-zero emissions, and (ii) the Clean Energy Investment Accelerator (CEIA), to advance policies and financing for clean energy in the commercial and industrial sectors

Job Highlight

The Senior Project Lead will manage the implementation of the SETI project, ensuring the timely delivery of high-quality outputs while driving research excellence in alignment with the organization's climate and energy goals. The position involves collaboration across WRI’s Climate, Energy, Cities, and Ocean teams to align research, engagement, and other activities, while also engaging with external stakeholders such as consortium members, companies, and business associations to ensure project success.

As a key figure in the Energy and Sustainable Business Program, the Senior Lead will also play a central role in shaping WRI Indonesia’s research agenda on topics like corporate renewable energy procurement, industrial decarbonization, grid integration, and low-carbon technologies. This role requires deep expertise in climate and energy issues, with a focus on strategic thinking, analytical excellence, and thought leadership. The Senior Project Lead will work closely with the Senior Manager for Energy and Sustainable Business, the Engagement Manager, and the broader research team to develop research strategies, identify gaps and opportunities, and oversee research execution in line with WRI’s quality standards.

Additionally, the Senior Project Lead will co-lead research collaboration efforts with WRI Southeast Asia, WRI Global, and other country offices to ensure strong partnerships and research dissemination. Leadership, interpersonal skills, and a strong commitment to WRI’s mission and values — integrity, innovation, urgency, independence, and respect are essential for success in this role.

This position will be based in Jakarta with office-flex working arrangement and the possibility of doing travel. This position will report to the Senior Manager for Energy and Sustainable Business. 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

Project Management (50%)

• Lead the SETI’s portfolio and program planning, which involves budgeting, program monitoring, and risk management for the program’s successful outcome.
• Provide strategy on project implementation and spending to ensure all activities within projects are aligned according to the project documents (deliverables, milestones, work plan) and adhere to WRI Indonesia operations policy.
• Actively leading and/or coordinating with other internal WRI team members, including collaboration with research, engagement, communication, and other pertinent teams.
• Lead the coordination and day-to-day communication with other consortium members.
• Lead the development process and presentation for project documents, decks, reports, and proposals.
• Review budgets, financial reports, and spending, while developing mechanisms to track project implementation and monitor savings, burn rates, and variances, with support from the Sr. Manager
• Identify and address opportunities and challenges within the project that arise internally and externally, including adjustment of programmatic strategies, approaches, and budgets, with communications to the Sr. Manager.
• Ensure that data and information required for demonstrating program impact and lessons learned are collected, analyzed, and integrated into program monitoring and evaluation systems/tools.
• Use or develop tools to support project performance monitoring against contract requirements by coordinating with the MEL team as necessary.

Research (35%)

• In coordination with Net Zero Senior Lead, co-lead the development and execution of the research pipeline under WRI’s energy and sustainable business programs, focusing on topics of corporate renewable energy procurement, industrial decarbonization, grid integration, and low-carbon technologies
• Provide strategic advice to the Senior Manager for Energy and Sustainable Business, Senior Engagement Lead, and the rest of the research team within the ESB portfolio regarding research gaps, opportunities, potential collaborations, and resources management
• Oversee research quality and alignment across topics in the WRI’s energy and sustainable business portfolio
• Work with other research and communication teams in authoring or co-authoring knowledge products (e.g., peer-reviewed reports and publications) and other engagement documents (e.g., method briefs, data products, background information, and/or concept notes).
• Develop and disseminate knowledge products, such as blogs, opinions, and platforms, and deliver presentations at public speaking events as needed.
• Actively contribute to WRI’s strategic discussions relevant to the advancement of WRI’s research excellence and portfolio expansion of WRI Energy and Sustainable Business Programs

Engagement and Outreach (15%)

• Build and manage partnership and technical assistance with government agencies, academic institutions, private sectors, NGOs, and the wider public to optimize the planned strategy associated with the project.
• Strategically identifies potential new partners and advocates the project’s progress and outcomes for expansion purposes.
• Facilitate meetings and deliver training for various stakeholders.
• Establish strategic engagement and communication with donor

What You Will Need

• Master's degree in a relevant field (e.g., energy systems, energy engineering) with a strong understanding of renewable energy and its policy development in Indonesia.
• Minimum 5 years of professional experience in renewable energy and energy efficiency, with a focus on energy policymaking.
• Proven ability to manage complex, time-sensitive projects with multiple interrelated activities.
• Experience managing donor relationships and coordinating across diverse stakeholders, with strong interpersonal and negotiation skills.
• Experience in managing energy-related technical studies, including the supervision of consultants.
• Previous experience working with/for MEMR, PLN, MoI, and or other government institutions is a strong asset.
• Ability to design research approaches, collect and analyze data, and consider impacts on people, climate, and nature.
• Highly proficient in the use of a range of productivity tools for project management, team collaboration, and financial tracking and analysis, and to adopt new tools as required.
• Strong capability to prioritize, manage multiple tasks, and work both independently and within a team.
• Ability to report to multiple supervisors and to manage competing deadlines.
• Ability to identify project risks and possible mitigation strategies. Implement mitigation strategies on minor risks, seeks support for major risks.
• Ability & willingness to do business travel to meet project goals.
• Legally able to work in Indonesia

Contract Arrangement

Full-time with fixed-term employment agreement for 9 (nine) months period with 3 (three) months of consultancy contract apply before the fixed-term employment agreement started.

What we offer

• Salary that is commensurate with experience and skills
• Competitive and comprehensive benefit package
• Access to the WRI global network
• Opportunity to join and/or get involved in different working groups
• A workplace that strives to put diversity and inclusion at the heart of our work
• A chance to have an impact and to develop your career within a mission driven organization

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 if needed.

How to apply: In order to be formally considered, please submit an updated resume and cover letter through WRI career portal.

Application close: 17.00 (DKI Jakarta local time), 18 November 2024. 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, as well 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 and portfolio to include projects in the climate, energy, as well as city and transportation programs.