Consultant as Smallholder Hub Platform Developer (Pekanbaru-based)

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Program Overview
WRI Indonesia is an independent research organization that turns big ideas into action at the nexus of environment, economic opportunity, and human well-being. At WRI Indonesia, we aim to bring innovations in research and business approaches in order to create the enabling conditions for Indonesia to achieve robust economic growth while respecting environmental and social values. We seek to contribute to the accomplishment of ambitious sustainable development goals through working with leaders in public and private sectors, as well as collaborating with civil society organizations, in turning big ideas into action.

Within our Food, Land, and Water (FLW) Program, we envision critical ecosystems such as forests and peatland across Indonesia to be governed fairly and sustainably. We believe sustainable land use management is key for Indonesia to meet its climate goal, in line with keeping the global climate target below the 1.5 degree Celcius warming treshold, while providing sustainable livelihoods to forest-dependent communities and conserve biodiversity in the landscape. We intend to achieve this through safeguarding the remaining forest and peatland from deforestation, degradation, and fragmentation; maintaining forests and peatland quality through sound stewardship; and restoring degraded ecosystem to improve its productivity, conservation value, and ecosystem services.

Smallholder Empowerment Program
WRI Indonesia believes that empowering oil palm smallholders is key to producing sustainable palm oil in Indonesia. Empowered smallholders have the ability to control and manage their oil palm business properly and sustainably. With this capability, smallholders' welfare and the environment's quality are expected to improve. Therefore, increasing the inclusiveness of smallholders in sustainability and empowerment programs is indispensable to a better and greener palm oil supply chain in the country.

Collaborating with a consumer goods company, WRI Indonesia aims to improve the sustainable palm oil supply chain and the welfare of smallholders in Riau Province. This is done through a series of capacity-building and empowerment. In 2023, we aim to increase the knowledge and skills of at least 4,000 smallholders to implement oil palm Best Management Practices (BMP) in order to improve their productivity.

Job Highlight
The Smallholder Hub Platform Developer will be responsible for leading the design, development, and implementation of a comprehensive digital platform tailored to the needs of palm oil smallholders. This user-friendly platform aims to drive innovation, strengthen data integration, enhance transparency, and support precise and accurate decision-making processes for smallholder farmers and other relevant stakeholders.

This position is pivotal in architecting scalable solutions and leveraging cutting-edge technologies to empower smallholder farmers within the Smallholder Empowerment Program. The role involves close collaboration with various teams to ensure the successful implementation of the WRI Indonesia Food, Land, and Water (FLW) strategy.

This position will play a pivotal role in architecting scalable solutions and leveraging cutting-edge technologies to empower smallholder farmers in the smallholder empowerment program.

Smallholder Hub Platform Developer will report directly to Smallholder Hub Project Lead while working collaboratively with West Sumatera Senior Program Lead, Supply Chain and Livelihood Transformation Senior Manager, and other FLW Program teams to support the implementation of the WRI Indonesia FLW strategy.

What You Will Do
  • Platform Design and Development
  • Lead the architectural design and development of a scalable digital platform for palm oil smallholders.
  • Ensure the platform is user-friendly and accessible, meeting the unique needs of smallholder farmers.
  • Integrate cutting-edge technologies to provide innovative solutions for data management and decision support.
  • Data Integration and Management
  • Develop and implement strategies for effective data integration from various sources.
  • Ensure data accuracy, transparency, and accessibility for all stakeholders.
  • Utilize advanced data analytics to provide actionable insights for smallholder farmers.
  • Collaboration and Coordination
  • Work collaboratively with the Smallholder Hub Project Lead, West Sumatera Senior Program Lead, Supply Chain and Livelihood Transformation Senior Manager, and other FLW Program teams.
  • Support the implementation of the WRI Indonesia FLW strategy through effective platform development.
  • Engage with stakeholders to gather requirements, feedback, and ensure continuous improvement of the platform.
  • Innovation and Continuous Improvement
  • Stay updated with the latest trends and technologies in digital platform development and agriculture.
  • Implement innovative solutions to enhance the platform's functionality and user experience.
  • Continuously monitor and improve platform performance and scalability.

What You Will Need
Required Qualifications:
  • Bachelor’s degree in a related field, preferably with coursework in information technology, system analyst, web design and programming, web-GIS/geoportal development, and/or information management system.
  • Minimum 5 years of experience in software development, with a focus on building complex web and mobile friendly platform.
  • Proficient understanding of web markup, including HTML5, CSS3.
  • Proficient in using CSS frameworks such as Bootstrap/Material Design/Tailwind CSS.
  • Proficient understanding of client-side scripting and JavaScript frameworks such as Node.js, Vue.js, Angular, or React.
  • Experience and strong proficiency on PostgreSQL database.
  • Experience and strong proficiency on spatial analysis using PostGIS database library.
  • Experience and strong proficiency on multiple back-end languages (e.g. PHP, Java, Python) and PHP/JavaScript frameworks (e.g. Laravel, Node.js).
  • Experience in developing middleware application for KoboToolbox toolkit.
  • Experience in web-based GIS framework such as OpenGeo, GeoNode/GeoShape, Cartoview and/or Leaflet/OpenLayers. Familiarity with GIS Server such as ArcGIS Server, GeoServer, and/or MapServer.
  • Familiarity with data visualization libraries such as d3 and highcharts.
  • Strong understanding of software architecture, design patterns, and best practices for building scalable and maintainable systems, including version control, testing, and deployment.
  • Familiarity with the whole web stack, including protocols and web server optimization techniques. Understanding of, and able to design and setup server and network, including server and network architecture design, software, and/or LINUX operating system.
  • Experience in facilitating meetings or other capacity development activities and writing reports.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with cross-functional teams and stakeholders.
  • Ability to work independently and have strong problem-solving skill to take initiative and make decisions.
  • Self-motivated, detail-oriented, and a logical thinker with an ability to juggle with multiple priorities and maintain the quality of work within a fast-paced work environment.
  • Ability to conceptualize and convey strategic vision from the spectrum of smallholder development experience.
  • Business proficiency on verbal and written communications skill in both English and Bahasa Indonesia.
  • Ability to travel and spend substantial amounts of time in the field as needed.
  • Legally able to work in Indonesia.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Master's degree in related field.
  • Familiarity on agricultural or rural development projects, particularly in developing countries.
  • Previous experience working with local communities in Riau provinces

Deliverables
  • Platform Prototype
  • Develop and present a prototype of the digital platform within the first three months.
  • Incorporate feedback from stakeholders to refine and improve the prototype.
  • Fully Functional Platform
  • Launch a fully functional and scalable digital platform tailored to the needs of palm oil smallholders within six months.
  • Ensure the platform is robust, secure, and user-friendly.
  • Data Integration and Analytics
  • Implement a comprehensive data integration strategy, ensuring seamless data flow from various sources.
  • Develop advanced data analytics capabilities to provide actionable insights for decision-making.
  • User Training and Support
  • Provide training and support to smallholder farmers and other stakeholders on using the platform.
  • Develop user guides, tutorials, and other support materials to facilitate easy adoption.
  • Continuous Improvement
  • Establish a process for continuous monitoring and improvement of the platform.
  • Regularly update the platform based on user feedback and technological advancements.

Duration
This position is expected to join immediately with initial contract period up to 31 December 2024 with possibility of extension subject to performance evaluation, project needs, and budget availability

Terms of Payment
Daily rate-based consultant with maximum of 20 (twenty) working days per month on average.

Contract Arrangement
Individual consultancy contract (Part-time, limited term)

What we offer
  • Consultant rate that is commensurate with experience and skills
  • Travel insurance for both domestic and international for any travel duty as assigned by WRI Indonesia
  • Access to the WRI global network
  • A workplace that strives to put diversity and inclusion at the heart of our work

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: 1700 (
DKI Jakarta local time), 10 August 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.