Project Operations Assistant (Manokwari, West Papua), West Papua, Indonesia

Program Overview

In early 2022, President Joko Widodo issued a decree (SK) revoking the mining business permits of 2,078 mineral and coal mining companies. Apart from that, 192 Forestry Permits covering an area of 3,126,439 hectares and the Right to Cultivate (HGU) plantations covering an area of 34,448 hectares were also revoked. This action is a form of structuring and controlling permits that do not fulfill operational obligations.

Several licenses for oil palm plantation companies were revoked based on this decree, including the Permit for Release of Forest Areas (IPKH) and HGU. However, there are still a number of other licenses that have not been revoked based on the decree, such as Plantation Business Permits (IUP) and Location Permits (ILOK). These permits are generally issued by local governments. In several press releases, the central government stated that the revoked area would later - among other things, be given to other companies that were considered serious. This land conversion does not solve the problem of inequality in land tenure and can increase the rate of deforestation in Indonesia.

Papua Province is one of the priority provinces for the National Corruption Prevention Strategy (Stranas PK) along with the provinces of Riau, East Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, West Sulawesi) in the one map policy acceleration scheme. One of the Stranas PK agendas in Papua Province is to review palm oil plantation permits and since 2019, 33 companies have been identified that are recommended to be revoked and 22 companies must make improvements in their operations – out of a total of 55 oil palm plantation companies analyzed. There are at least 25 companies that are included in the decree for the revocation of palm oil plantation permits.

As the Indonesian last forest frontier, and while forested area in Sumatra and Kalimantan has been greatly reduced due to land conversion, forested area in Papua Province will reach 25 million hectares in 2020 – the highest figure in all of Indonesia (Ministry of Environment and Forestry, 2020). Therefore, in order to achieve Indonesia's climate target, the revocation of this permit must be followed by sustainable land use. This will be in line with Papua's commitment to implementing sustainable development based on the Papua Vision 2100. In addition, the Papua Province Regional Spatial Planning Regulation mandates the Papua Provincial Government to maintain a forest area of 90% of the entire Papua Province.

Job Highlight

The Project Operations Assistant will support several key initiatives of WRI Indonesia-Regional Papua, that is being currently undertaken in partnership with various external stakeholders.

The Project Operations Assistant will be based in Manokwari, West Papua Province. The person is responsible for overall finance and operational support of WRI Indonesia projects and other external parties in West Papua Province.

Reporting to the WRI’s Project Officer and coordinating close with other key personnel of the projects, he/she will liaise with the partners implementing similar programs as well as relevant agencies of the Government, local authorities, and civil society, in terms of project finance and administration.

What You Will Do

Finance Administration Support (60%)

• Support in planning and reviewing budgets and expenditure as necessary and preparing monthly/quarterly/annual reports and other data as required.
• Manage payment of all bills from vendors, expense reimbursements, cash advance and report from staff.
• Record all financial transactions, generate and review monthly financial reports
• Process the payments and managing invoices, follow up with clients, suppliers, and partners as needed
• Complete and accurate recording/reconciliation of all operational control/tracking against projects on budget, fund, travel expenses and petty cash, this works will coordinate closely with Project Officer for Papua, Project Operations Specialist, and Finance Department.
• Provide data support in the audit process.
• Provide support to staff/consultant on the production of timesheets, travel claims/expense reports, reimbursements, participant agreements, orders and any other relevant financial documentation.
• Oversee of project’s financial records particularly in West Papua province

Operations Management (35%)

• Provide support to WRI Indonesia-Papua Regional team in managing back-office activities in Manokwari, West Papua Province.
• Ensure functionality of operations including coordinating document flow and organization, purchasing supplies, arranging travels and events, equipment and furniture, and communications support with project needs to provide events and meeting coordination across the organization
• Manages operational expenses in consultancy with the Project Officer for Papua and Project Operations Specialist, including occupancy, office services, insurance, IT, legal, tax, and other to ensure efficient and effective use of Donor resources.
• Preparing, maintaining, monitoring, and improving the operational systems, processes, procedures, and record in accordance to WRI Indonesia’s policy-specifically, support better management reporting, information flow and management, and organizational planning

Occasional Significant Duties (5%)

• Day to day assistance of other jobs in the Operations unit, as and when required
• Significant other duties as assigned by Line Manager

What You Will Need

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field, preferably with coursework in organizational and/or business support (finance, accounting).
• Minimum 2 years of full-time work experience in a relevant field, with operation management, administration, and/or financial management experience
• Preferably based in Manokwari and surrounding areas
• Direct hands-on experience in financial administration (e.g. budget, recording, tax)
• Detail oriented and organized thinker who can juggle multiple, competing prioritieseDbNhO2 BlOQwg
• Ability to learn new system and software applications that are used by WRI Indonesia
• Good in oral and written communication skills.
• Attention to details
• Knowledge and experience on audit process
• Business proficiency in verbal and written communications in both Bahasa Indonesia and English
• Able to work with minimum supervision and able to meet various deadlines
• Familiar in using internet bank system
• Ability to travel when needed.
• Legally able to work in Indonesia.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working within multi-stakeholder/inter-sectoral groups such as government, private, civil societies, and other stakeholder engagement.
• Familiarity with sub-grant management protocols and policies among local CSOs and international donors.

Performance Standard

• Finance administrative, operations management, and Administration activities are expected to be carried out in a timely and satisfactory manner with minor supervision.
• Must be capable of setting priorities and working under pressure, including multi-tasking and planning several events simultaneously.
• Ability to work well with internal and external participants is essential.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite is imperative.
• Commitment to quality of works and efficiency

Contract Arrangement

Full-time with f ixed-term employment agreement up to 31 December 2024 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 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: 17 . 00 ( DKI Jakarta local t ime), 10 February 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.