Lead Advisor, Indonesia (Consultancy)

Emergent is a global non-profit that mobilizes public and private finance to conserve and restore the world’s forests to combat the climate crisis. We act as a catalyst between forest governments and participants of the LEAF Coalition—a groundbreaking public-private partnership committed to halting tropical deforestation by 2030. By uniting private sector buyers, donor governments, forest governments, Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs), and civil society, LEAF aims to raise and deploy the finance needed to tackle deforestation by making tropical forests worth more alive than dead.

Emergent purchases high-integrity carbon credits from national and subnational jurisdictions generated through their REDD+ programs and verified under the ART TREES standard. These credits are sold to LEAF Coalition participants – donor governments and corporate buyers – who are committed to achieving ambitious climate and nature goals.

The Role

Emergent is looking for a Lead Advisor to lead and implement its Indonesia strategy. In a long-term consultant capacity, the Lead Advisor will develop tailored strategies to engage the government, civil society, adat and local communities, and LEAF Coalition stakeholders to scale finance and accelerate forest conservation and restoration efforts in Indonesia.

The Lead Advisor will lead high-level engagements with national government, working closely with Emergent’s global and Asia teams. The Lead Advisor will support Indonesia in the development of transactions for its emission reductions in the forest sector, including meeting ART TREES 2.0 and LEAF requirements. This role requires utilizing extensive networks and expertise to build effective partnerships for transformational climate and biodiversity impact.

The position is based in Jakarta, Indonesia. The consultancy will be on an initial 6-month contract, with potential extensions based on performance. The role is ideally full-time, though flexibility can be considered for the right candidate.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership:

• Design and implement Emergent’s Indonesia strategy, aligning it with organizational priorities and identifying new opportunities.
• Serve as Emergent’s primary representative in Indonesia, tailoring the strategy to the local contexts and fostering awareness of the LEAF Coalition’s objectives.

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including senior government officials, adat and local communities, civil society and technical partners.
• Position LEAF’s initiatives within Indonesia’s National REDD+ Strategy, National Carbon Market legislation, and related policies.

Negotiation and Coordination:

• Lead negotiations of Emission Reductions Purchase Agreements (ERPAs) and Funding Agreements, in collaboration with Emergent’s origination, legal and transaction teams.
• Coordinate efforts across Emergent, LEAF donor governments, corporate buyers, technical partners, and Indonesian jurisdictions to ensure smooth execution of transactions.

Program Implementation:

• Coordinate with Indonesia as it makes submissions to ART, helping to ensure accurate forecasts of carbon credit volumes and timelines, while identifying technical cooperation needs and partners to deliver needed support.
• Closely monitor progress in the TREES credit issuance process to ensure timely credit delivery.
• Support local stakeholder engagement and consultation efforts, in line with social and environmental safeguards requirements and best practices.
• Ensure local governance established by jurisdictions for fund management and reporting meets LEAF requirements.

Cross-Functional Contributions:

• Support broader organizational priorities, including business strategy, marketing strategy, policy development, monitoring and evaluation, corporate engagement, fundraising strategy, public relations and communications.

Qualifications

• 10–15 years in jurisdictional REDD+ program implementation, carbon markets, nature-based solutions, and/or climate finance.
• Proven track record working with senior government officials and navigating Indonesia’s political and regulatory landscape.
• Hands-on experience in REDD+ program implementation or related forest protection and restoration initiatives.
• Understanding of REDD+ concepts, policies, and best practices, including social and environmental safeguards, carbon standards and carbon market mechanisms.
• Proven ability to manage multiple workstreams and lead cross-functional project teams.
• Excellent communication skills in English and Bahasa Indonesia – both written and verbal, and public speaking experience is essential, with the ability to represent Emergent in public forums and to engage and influence senior stakeholders.
• Strong diplomatic and interpersonal skills
• Bachelor’s degree or higher in a relevant field (e.g. forestry, environmental science, climate, international development).

Other Requirements:

• Based in Jakarta, Indonesia.
• Self-starter with flexibility and adaptability to work in fast-paced environments.
• Willingness to travel (~20-25%).
• Passion for tackling climate change and advancing sustainability.

How to Apply

Submit your CV and a one-page cover letter detailing why you are a strong fit for the role. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so early submissions are encouraged.

Shortlisted candidates will be contacted. If your application is unsuccessful, we will not retain your personal data.

Equal Opportunities

Emergent is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and consultants. We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds, regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected status.

Studies show men apply when they meet 60% of the qualifications, while women apply only if they meet 100%. If you meet most of our criteria and are passionate about this role, we encourage you to apply.