We're hiring: Project Officer, Nature-based Solutions

Job Description

The Flood Impacts, Carbon Pricing, and Ecosystem Sustainability (FINCAPES) project is a collaborative, gender-responsive initiative funded by Global Affairs Canada. Over a 5.5-year period, jointly undertaken by the University of Waterloo's Faculty of Mathematics and Faculty of Environment, the project supports Indonesia in adapting to climate change, mitigating its impacts, and conserving biodiversity in a socially and economically sustainable manner. Aligned with Indonesia's priorities, FINCAPES enhances the nation's capacity in key areas: forecasting and mitigating financial impacts of climate-change-induced floods, promoting Nature-based Solutions for peatland and mangrove restoration, and strengthening climate finance policy frameworks with a focus on carbon financing mechanisms.

Working closely with IPB University, the project enhances adoption of gender-equitable Nature-based Solutions for peatland and mangrove restoration and conservation, and promotes biodiversity conservation, to support Indonesia's climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts. These efforts help identify and disseminate best practices in peatland and mangrove ecosystems that support sustainable livelihoods and biodiversity conservation. The project also supported the establishment and ongoing operation of the IPB Centre for Applied Research in Nature-based Solutions (I-CAN), an applied research center for research, field testing, documentation, and dissemination of NbS.

The FINCAPES Project Officer – Nature-based Solutions (PO-NbS) is the field-level lead for NbS activity delivery, working across multiple provinces with IPB University partners, the I-CAN Operations Manager, implementing partners and contractors, community groups, and relevant agencies of the Government of Indonesia at the national, provincial, and local levels.

The role sits at the operational center of the NbS component, requiring day-to-day judgment on activity implementation, partner and contractor performance, and community relationships, as well as administrative coordination. The PO-NbS is expected to identify problems as they emerge in the field, propose solutions, and escalate to the Field Director with a clear recommendation.

The PO-NbS will collaborate as needed with the FINCAPES Project Officer – Climate Finance Policy and the Project Officer – Flood Risk where natural synergies exist. The role is technically and administratively demanding, and offers broad opportunity for learning, innovation, and meaningful contribution to Indonesia's climate adaptation and mitigation efforts.

Decision-Making Authority

The PO-NbS is the project's primary field-level decision-maker for NbS activities, expected to exercise independent judgment on implementation issues, partner and community management, and day-to-day problem-solving, escalating to the Field Director or uWaterloo Technical Lead for NbS on matters of budget, contract, or policy significance.

Working Environment

Frequent domestic travel to NbS activity sites across multiple provinces, sometimes to physically demanding or remote locations. Work outside normal hours is occasionally required, particularly during field activities or under reporting deadlines.

Partner and Contractor Management

• Manage day-to-day relationships with implementing partners, service providers, and technical contractors delivering NbS activities, including PGB and other site-level partners.
• Review technical and financial proposals from prospective contractors and vendors, negotiate scope and budget where needed, and recommend contracting decisions to the Field Director.
• Track partner and contractor performance against agreed deliverables and KPIs, flag underperformance, and manage corrective action, including gating payment against verified progress.

Field-Level Activity Management

• Lead the planning and implementation of NbS activities across assigned sites, adapting plans in response to changing environmental, logistical, or community conditions.
• Identify implementation risks early and bring recommended solutions to the Field Director.
• Coordinate with the I-CAN Operations Manager and IPB technical leads on “Living Laboratory” activities, applied research, and capacity building delivery.

Community and Stakeholder Relationships

• Build and maintain trust-based relationships with community groups, local institutions, and government counterparts at village, district, and provincial levels.
• Navigate competing interests within and between community institutions, and manage sensitive dynamics with tact and sound judgment.
• Support the Multistakeholder Nature-based Solutions Think Tanks and related working groups.

Gender Equality and Social Inclusion

• Mainstream gender equality and social inclusion across NbS activity design, implementation, and monitoring.

Financial Oversight

• Track and report on activity-level financial progress, including disbursement of funds, receipt collection and documentation, and adherence to FINCAPES financial norms and standard operating procedures.
• Flag financial or compliance risks to the Field Director and Field Finance Manager early.

Reporting and Knowledge Management

• Contribute qualitative and quantitative data for semi-annual and annual progress reporting.
• Collaborate with the FINCAPES Knowledge Management/Communications function to document project results, lessons learned, and activity impact.

Education

University degree, preferably in a relevant field (environmental science, natural resource management, international development, or related).

Experience

• At least five years of experience working on complex international development projects, including field-level implementation.
• Demonstrated experience managing contractors, service providers, or implementing partners, including reviewing technical/financial proposals and tracking deliverables.
• Experience collaborating with Indonesian universities and/or government agencies to deliver meaningful outcomes.
• Experience applying financial policies and procedures consistent with those of an international organization or university.
• Proven ability to build and maintain professional relationships with Government of Indonesia agencies, university partners, and community stakeholders at multiple levels.

Skills and Attributes

• Sound independent judgment, with the ability to identify problems, weigh options, and recommend solutions rather than only escalate.
• Strong negotiation skills, particularly in reviewing and discussing scope, budget, and performance with contractors and partners.
• Ability to navigate sensitive community and institutional dynamics with tact and diplomacy.
• Strong organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple concurrent activities, tight deadlines, and shifting priorities.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a multicultural, multidisciplinary team.
• Fluent in Indonesian (speaking/reading/writing); able to communicate clearly and effectively in English.
• Willingness and ability to undertake frequent domestic travel, including to remote or physically demanding locations.
• Proficiency with standard MS Office applications and collaboration tools (Teams, Zoom), and common cloud data platforms (Google Drive, OneDrive/SharePoint, Dropbox).

How to Apply

• Application Deadline for submission: October 1, 2026 at 23:59 WIB.
• Please submit resume/CV and cover letter to the email address: ivonne.rawis@uwaterloo.ca & fincapes@uwaterloo.ca

Please include “Project Office NbS” in the subject line.

Only short-listed candidates will be notified and contacted for further step of the process. Applications received after the deadline or incomplete applications will not be considered.