Senior Communication Specialist for Cities (Jakarta based)

Portfolio Overview

World Resources Institute (WRI) is an independent national research organization that turns big ideas into action at the nexus of environment, economic opportunity, and human well-being. WRI Indonesia is affiliated with World Resources Institute (WRI), a global environmental research organization that works with various stakeholders to support policies and practices that are sustainable and profitable. WRI works with leaders in more than 50 countries for more than 30 years with offices in Brazil, China, Europe, Africa, India, Indonesia, Mexico, and the United States.

Launched in early 2014, WRI Indonesia builds on WRI’s 20-year history in the country. The official establishment of the WRI Indonesia office has strengthened our impacts on the ground in recent years. Over time, WRI Indonesia aims to expand its portfolio to include climate, energy, and city and the ocean. Therefore, it is important for the organization to identify and put in place the research building blocks for achieving the vision of WRI Indonesia, supporting science- and data-driven decision-making at national and sub-national levels. We will do this by driving the transition in three critical human-centered systems: i) food-land-water system ii) energy system and iii) cities system.

In our effort to drive cities system transition, WRI Indonesia seeks a strong and impactful collaboration with cities stakeholder's ecosystem including the government, private sector, and local communities, to create vibrant, equitable and low carbon cities that will focus on driving supportive shifts in the three cities fundamental pillars: 1) connective mobility 2) liveable neighbourhood, and 3) climate resilience. Our collective integration of these three clusters of work brings together diverse expertise from these fields, sparking new ideas and fostering collaboration, which leads to science-based and innovative solutions that wouldn’t emerge from siloed efforts. For example, our work in tackling air pollution issues in Jakarta centered around understanding people and vulnerable communities’ need in exploring the solutions and seeking for integrated mobility solutions to reduce the direct impact of particulate matter in the city. In the effort to transform more liveable cities, the introduction of low emission zone concept that emphasizes the need for more green and public spaces and sustainable transport has been conceptualized by bringing the local champions to take the action for its city.

Under the cities portfolio, WRI Indonesia has been working for years to transform and help the Indonesia’s cities system to be transitioned. Our cities program consists of numbers of projects that will accelerate the use of green transportation, access to more inclusive public houses, and integrate science-based climate adaptation and mitigation strategies into cities policy such as Bali E-Mobility Initiative, Low Carbon Mobility Development in Surabaya and Makassar, National Heavy-Duty Vehicle Decarbonization, Clean Air Catalyst, Cities4Forest, Sustainable Housing and Road Safety Corridors Development. We have been doing these initiatives by working closely with national and sub-national key governments, as well as with the industry leaders and financial institutions to co-develop transport solutions that can bring mutual benefits to the society and economy.

Achieving this mission requires a compelling narrative and targeted outreach to engage stakeholders at all levels—from high-level policymakers and industry players to local communities and vulnerable groups who depend on these systems. With cities transition now central to critical policy discussion in Indonesia, the portfolio needs to shape impactful public narratives, influence decision-makers, mobilize community action, and capture emerging trends that will drive policy successes in the sector.

Job Highlight

The Senior Communications Specialist for Cities will play a pivotal role in advancing WRI Indonesia’s Cities program mission by developing and implementing comprehensive communication strategies that enhance the organization’s thought leadership, influence key stakeholders, and improve its positioning in fundraising efforts. This position is expected to identify and address key topics in sustainable cities, supporting the Cities program assert its position with the ultimate goal of enhancing the organization’s branding in this sector. This role goes beyond traditional communications support, requiring a deep understanding of the cities sector, strategic thinking, and the ability to craft narratives that resonate with diverse audiences.

The Senior Communications Specialist is expected to understand one of the the key context and programmatic challenges of Indonesia’s cities transition journey, including but not limited to the field of sustainable mobility, inclusive urban space, housing, and clean air. The position holder will report directly to the Senior Manager for Resilience Cities and Transport with a dotted line reporting to the Communications Manager to develop communications strategies for addressing challenges, such as influencing key stakeholder segments, identifying the right channels and platforms for communication, and determining the appropriate thought leadership strategies for the program. The Senior Communications Strategist is an integral, analytical, and contributing member of the program team, and is expected to proactively engage in programmatic discussions and lead communications planning and initiatives for the program.

This position will be based in Jakarta, with office-flex working arrangement. In support of WRI's DEI commitment, you are responsible for actively participating in these collaborative efforts by integrating equity into your work, our workplace, and the organizational culture.

What You Will Do

STRATEGY

• Develop, support, and manage advanced communications strategies that go beyond traditional support functions to influence key stakeholders and enhance organizational positioning.
• Conduct in-depth communication analyses to identify the “right” segments of stakeholders and craft strategies to engage and influence them effectively.
• Lead efforts to position WRI Indonesia’s Cities Portfolio as a thought leader in the cities transition topic, crafting narratives and strategies that challenge opposition and align with organizational goals.
• Collaborate with program teams to integrate communication strategies that directly contribute to programmatic goals, including fundraising and advocacy, while at the same time work together with the Communications Manager to ensure that the strategies and narratives are in line with WRI Indonesia’s institutional strategy and narratives.
• Develop and implement strategies that enhance WRI Indonesia’s visibility and credibility among donors, partners, and the public.

ANALYTICS AND INSIGHTS

• Provide regular insights on the evolving national and global sustainable cities landscape, including but not limited to the sub-topic of transportation, housing, public space, and air quality.
• Assess WRI Indonesia’s Cities portfolio communication and branding baseline and develop the strategy to increase the outreach and brand improvement.
• Produce communication analytics and reports that provide insights into stakeholder engagement, message effectiveness, and strategic opportunities.
• Use data-driven insights to refine communication strategies and ensure they are aligned with WRI Indonesia’s Cities Portfolio goals.
• Develop metrics to assess the impact of communication activities on the Cities Portfolio goals of decarbonizing cities sector through research, tools, platform creation and policy advocacy & provide regular reports to senior leadership.
• Collaborate with WRI Indonesia’s Cities key stakeholders to develop their capacity on advancing their communication product that is aligned with WRI Indonesia organization visions.

OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT

• Establish a network with media and CSOs that have a strong alignment on WRI Indonesia’s Cities vision
• Represent WRI Indonesia in the public-facing event, relevant to the topic of cities transition
• Together with the program team, build a relationship with WRI Indonesia’s cities key stakeholders including local authorities, communities, industry players to keep inform and actively in touch with the current trends of sustainable cities issues.

What You Will Need

• Bachelors’ degree in fields such as communications, marketing, business, engineering, social, environmental or urban studies, journalism, or English language or literature. Masters’ degree is preferred.
• Proven professional experience of a minimum of 5 years in strategic communications, with a strong emphasis on analytics, stakeholder engagement, and urban environmental issues.
• Exceptional communication skills, with a strong emphasis on writing, editing, and messaging for diverse audiences, enabling the creation of professional-quality communication products from complex technical and research material.
• Strong background in strategic thinking, with the ability to craft and implement sophisticated communication strategies that align with organizational goals.
• Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing communications strategies that influence key stakeholders and enhance organizational positioning.
• Ability to identify communications related reputational risks and devise strategies to manage them under supervision of manager.
• Ability to simultaneously oversee multiple communications projects involving multi-unit teams, setting the broad direction and incentivizing and guiding staff to deliver.
• Ability to stays current with communications trends or latest issue, and to effectively manage communication product pipeline.
• International experience or prior work in a global organization preferred.
• Proven ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment, both independently and as part of a global team.
• Strong interest and experience in sustainable transportation issues, with a deep understanding of the Indonesian context.
• Curiosity, creativity, strong listening skills, and wide-ranging reading habits across a variety of fields and media are highly desirable.
• Fluency in both Bahasa Indonesia and English, with a strong emphasis on written and spoken communications.

Contract Arrangement

Full-time with fixed-term employment agreement with 3 (three) months of consultancy will be in place prior to the start of the fixed-term employment.

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

Shortlisted candidates will be required to complete a test and/or submit two writing samples to demonstrate their skills and suitability for the role.

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), 31 July 2025. We will close the advert earlier when the best candidates are identified at earlier dates. 

Must have authorization to work in Indonesia to be eligible for this position.

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: Impact, Integrity, Independence, Partnership, and Care.

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.