Vacancy Announcement: Field Coordinator for Jambi

Apr 21, 2025

Job Title: Field Coordinator (FC)

Report to: FINCAPES NbS Program Officer

Type: Full time Position

Location: Jambi City, with regular field visits to project sites across multiple districts required.

Duration: 1 Year Initial Contract with potential extension

Background

The FINCAPES (Flood Impacts, Carbon Pricing, and Ecosystem Sustainability) project is a multi-stakeholder, gender-responsive initiative to help Indonesia adapt to, and mitigate climate change, and conserve biodiversity in a socially and economically sustainable manner. Jointly undertaken by the University of Waterloo’s Faculty of Mathematics and Faculty of Environment, the project is funded by Global Affairs Canada and is a 5.5-year initiative to help Indonesia build capacity within government agencies, universities, and related partners.

The FINCAPES project will provide capacity building to support and catalyse Indonesia’s effort through: 

Increasing capacity of government, industries, and citizens to adapt to and mitigate financial impact of flood risk.
Accelerating application and replication of Nature-based Solution (NbS) for peatland and mangrove restoration and conservation.
Strengthening national-level governance capacity for climate change mitigation and adaptation.

Working closely with IPB University, the project will enhance adoption of gender-equitable nature-based solutions for peatland and mangrove restoration and conservation, and promote biodiversity conservation, to support Indonesia’s climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts. These efforts will help identify and disseminate best practices in peatland and mangrove ecosystems that support sustainable livelihoods, biodiversity conservation, and support climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts.

This project is supporting the establishment and operation of an applied research center for research, field testing, documentation, and dissemination of NbS called IPB Centre for Applied Research in Nature-based Solutions (I-CAN). I-CAN will undertake research, piloting, demonstration, and promotion of improved NbS approaches and practices to sustainably help protect and restore critical peatland and mangrove ecosystems and preserve biodiversity in targeted locations.

I-CAN focuses on research, field testing, documentation, and dissemination of NbS, playing a central role in advancing these efforts and ensuring the effective implementation of nature-based solutions across Indonesia in pursuit of biodiversity conservation and climate change hazard risk reduction. In collaboration with governments, NGOs, CSOs, and other stakeholders, the project is implementing mangrove restoration in Lampung and Jambi provinces, and peatland restoration in Jambi. These restoration areas will serve as a living laboratory for research, field testing, and the development of sustainable solutions, providing valuable insights and practical applications for ecosystem restoration and climate change adaptation.

These efforts will support and help accelerate Indonesia’s efforts to sustainably adapt to negative climate change impacts such as coastal abrasion, flooding, and ecosystem degradation, while simultaneously supporting climate change mitigation efforts by helping to protect and enhance carbon dioxide and greenhouse gas sequestration in peatland and mangrove ecosystems. These efforts will complement work being undertaken by the Government of Indonesia’s Peatland and Mangrove Restoration Agency (BRGM), and Ministry of Environment and Forestry, to support achievement of Indonesia’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). To ensure the project's success, collaboration with IPB University and other stakeholders will be fostered.

Summary of Position

The Field Coordinator (FC) will work under the supervision of FINCAPES Program Officer NbS and will work in close collaboration with I-CAN & IPB University team to implement peatland and mangrove restoration/ conservation projects in each selected area at Jambi Province. The restoration and/or conservation efforts in Jambi will require coordination with respective local governments and the work will involve local farmers groups, local NGOs, women’s groups, and/or other stakeholders to implement best practices and strategies.

The Field Coordinator is responsible for building good coordination with local governments in Jambi (e.g: BPDAS, Dinas Kehutanan, etc), local farmers group (e.g: Kelompok Tani Hutan), local NGOs and other stakeholders to ensure the project can be implemented in accordance with FINCAPES Project restoration and conservation work plans and provide complete supporting documentation related to program implementation for district and provincial activities.

Regular travel to project sites across multiple districts is required as part of the position’s responsibilities, in accordance with FINCAPES travel regulations.

Responsibilities

Under the coordination of the NbS Program Officer, the Field Coordinator is responsible for the following duties:

1. Stakeholder Engagement

Provide an overview of stakeholders in the field, in related to the implementation of the NbS program in Jambi.
Establish effective communication with local stakeholders (e.g., BPDAS, Forestry Agency, Forest Management Unit (KPH), local farmers groups, village communities etc.) to support program implementation.
Build strong relationships with local communities to monitor the implementation of peatland and mangrove restoration and conservation activities at site locations in Jambi.
Bridge communication between local communities (e.g., KTH) and local stakeholders in Jambi (e.g., KPH, Forestry Agency, BPDAS, Village Office) to enhance engagement and ensure the sustainability of peatland and mangrove restoration and conservation efforts.

2. Planning and Reporting

Prepare monthly activity plans and reports for fieldwork at the sub-district and village levels, aligned with the Annual Work Plan.
Submit timely and comprehensive reports to the FINCAPES NbS Program Officer.
In coordination with FINCAPES Data Management Specialists, assist in data collection related to NbS activities, as needed
In coordination with Communication & KM Specialist, support knowledge management activities, including documentation of field activities that involves identifying and sharing key insights, dynamics, and notable field developments, as needed.

3. Field Coordination & Implementation

In coordination with IPB/I-CAN expert team, assist in planning and executing the implementation of the NbS program in Jambi, including technical assessments, surveys, and training sessions.
Support the expert team in adapting technical recommendations to local contexts and ensuring community and stakeholder understanding.
In coordination with IPB/I-CAN expert team facilitate capacity-building activities, including training sessions and workshops for local communities and stakeholders.
In coordination with IPB/I-CAN expert team, monitor and provide on-site support for peatland and mangrove restoration and conservation efforts in target locations.

4. Admin & Finance Support

Provide administrative support for financial reporting and logistical support for district and provincial-level activities related to the implementation of the NbS program, such as field activities, workshops, meetings, and FGDs organized by the project. This includes:
Providing logistical support at the district and provincial levels.
Documenting events, including photographs, attendance lists, and required paperwork.
Managing cash advances and, in coordination with the FINCAPES Finance team, preparing financial reports for activities at the district and provincial levels.
Providing local vendor information for NbS events and activities to be followed up by the FINCAPES Jakarta Office.
Ensuring proper maintenance of office equipment, such as printers, laptops, and motorcycle rentals, in coordination with the FINCAPES Jakarta Office.

5. Assist in other duties as required

Qualifications

A Minimum bachelor’s degree in Forestry, Agriculture, or a related field.
2 to 5 years of working experience with government-related forestry and/or agriculture agencies (e.g BPDAS, Dinas Kehutanan) and non-governmental organizations.
Exposure to mangrove and peatland restoration or conservation issues will be an added advantage.
Experience working in a rural community setting, particularly around Jambi area. Having the ability to speak the local language is an added value.
Proven skills in project cycle management, community development and mobilization, and working closely with key stakeholders, especially at the village and sub-district level of local government.
Experienced, capable and comfortable working at the sub-district and village levels.
Ability to respond to requests and queries in a timely manner.
Good communication and facilitation skills, especially with local communities and related stakeholder groups. Experience engaging with people from different sociocultural backgrounds.
Basic skills in report writing, familiarity with Office 365 is advantageous.
Experience in and willingness to implement program management and prepare financial administration reports related to program activities.
Attention to detail, particularly with implementation and monitoring activity progress.
Demonstrated abilities in problem-solving, taking initiative, being proactive and working independently and within a team.
Time flexibility and the ability to travel to different districts/regencies/provinces as agreed upon for program implementation.

Qualifications

Contacts: Internally, communication and liaison with the Canada-based uWaterloo FINCAPES team, as well as Indonesia-based FINCAPES employees, consultants, and service providers, to facilitate efficient planning and implementation of FINCAPES work plans. Externally, communication and liaison with a wide range of local government entities, universities, civil society organizations, and consultants/service providers to ensure smooth implementation of activities and optimize project results.

Level of Responsibility: As the key project representative in Jambi, the Field Coordinator plays a critical role in planning, supporting, and monitoring NbS-related field activities, while keeping the FINCAPES NbS Program Officer consistently updated on progress. The Field Coordinator thus assumes multiple critical coordination and liaison roles, including assisting with progress monitoring and supporting timely and accurate financial reporting for Jambi-based project collaborators.

Decision-Making Authority: As the project’s "eyes and ears" for NbS field activities, the Field Coordinator will be expected to seek advice and input from the FINCAPES NbS Program Officer and FINCAPES Field Director as needed.

Working Environment:

Field Locations: Working in remote locations may be mentally and physically demanding, with simpler amenities than those in urban centers of Indonesia.
Travel: Frequent domestic travel required to multiple project sites.
Working Hours: May occasionally involve working outside normal hours and managing stress to meet tight planning or reporting deadlines. Last-minute requests with short delivery deadlines (e.g., progress updates) may also arise.
Risks - Physical and Psychological: The role involves technically and administratively challenging tasks and responsibilities, with ample opportunities for learning and professional growth.
Risks - Physical and Psychological While Traveling: In Jakarta: Typical demands and challenges of working and traveling in a large, crowded tropical city, including traffic jams, pollution, and occasional inclement weather.
Physical and Sensory Demands: Typical demands of living and working in rural or isolated areas, including more physically challenging conditions in several areas.

How to Apply

Application Deadline: 4 May 2025

Please submit resume/CV and cover letter to the link: bit.ly/recruitment-fc

Please include “Field Coordinator_Lampung” in the subject line.