Marine Biodiversity Science Specialist
I. PURPOSE OF THE POSITION
WWF-Indonesia’s Marine and Fisheries Program works to support the sustainable management of marine and coastal ecosystems in Indonesia through science-based conservation approaches, sustainable fisheries practices, and collaborative governance. The program focuses on strengthening Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), advancing Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECMs), protecting endangered, threatened, and protected (ETP) marine species, and promoting the sustainable management of critical coastal ecosystems such as coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangrove forests.
To strengthen the implementation of these initiatives, WWF-Indonesia seeks a qualified and motivated professional to serve as a Marine Biodiversity Science Specialist. The position will provide technical and scientific support in the planning, development, and implementation of marine conservation programs under WWF-Indonesia’s Marine and Fisheries Program. This position plays a key role in advancing evidence-based conservation and sustainable marine resource management across Indonesia’s coastal and marine ecosystems.
The position contributes to the generation of scientific knowledge, ecological assessments, biodiversity monitoring, technical reporting, and stakeholder engagement to support evidence-based and sustainable marine resource management across the Marine and Fisheries Program working areas.
II. ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES
A. Technical and Scientific Support
- Provide technical input for marine biodiversity conservation programs and strategies.
- Conduct and support biodiversity assessments, ecological monitoring, habitat surveys, and data analysis related to marine ecosystems.
- Support the development and implementation of conservation and monitoring protocols for marine species and habitats (e.g., coral reefs, seagrass beds, mangrove forests, reef fish, and ETP species).
- Lead and/or contribute to the preparation of scientific reports, technical documents, policy briefs, and other knowledge products, both in Bahasa Indonesia and English.
- Conduct and/or support ecological analysis for marine conservation planning and management, as well as synthesizing scientific study results to generate technical recommendations for management and decision-making.
- Support conservation initiatives related to coral reefs, seagrass beds, mangrove forests, and large-scale marine protected areas (LSMPA).
- Contribute to the implementation and evaluation of MPAs, LSMPAs, and OECM-related activities.
- Support monitoring and management activities for endangered, threatened, and protected (ETP) marine species, including marine mammals, sharks and rays, turtles, and other priority species.
B. Data Management, Communication, and Knowledge Development
- Compile, manage, and analyze ecological and biodiversity-related datasets.
- Ensure scientific data and monitoring results are properly documented, updated, and accessible in WWF-Indonesia’s online data and information storage system, including, but not limited to, monitoring databases, results of biological and ecological analyses, and other technical information supporting various Marine and Fisheries programmatic themes.
- Produce and/or contribute towards scientific and non-scientific publications, presentations, communication materials, and technical dissemination products development.
- Contribute to developing various communication products related to marine biodiversity and coastal ecosystems from cross-program activities, including, but not limited to, stories from the field, hard news, social media content, infographics, thematic biodiversity maps, and program/area profiles, in accordance with WWF-Indonesia’s internal and external communication needs.
- Collect, manage, and store technical and visual documentation (i.e., photos, videos, thematic biodiversity maps, and other informational materials) produced by the Marine and Fisheries Science Team and independent consultants (where applicable), in accordance with WWF-Indonesia’s data and documentation management standards and in coordination with the Communication Team and PMEL Team.
C. Stakeholder Engagement and Coordination
- Support coordination and collaboration with government agencies, research institutions, universities, NGOs, local communities, and other stakeholders, including drafting official partnership documents. These partnership documents include Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and/or Technical Agreements related to marine spatial planning, conservation, management, and the utilization of marine and fisheries resources, in accordance with the WWF-Indonesia Strategic Plan and the scope of relevant programs/projects, and in coordination with the relevant WWF-Indonesia teams (e.g., Legal Team, SMT Team, and relevant technical units).
- Participate in technical discussions, workshops, consultations, and coordination meetings.
- Facilitate knowledge-sharing and capacity-building activities related to marine biodiversity and ecosystem management.
- Provide technical support for policy advocacy at the national and sub-national levels regarding the management of marine biodiversity and conservation areas.
- Contribute to scientific, technical, and policy forums as a representative of WWF-Indonesia, when required.
D. Program Development, Planning, Implementation, and Reporting
- Support the development of proposals, concept notes, and project designs related to marine biodiversity, coastal ecosystems (coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangrove forests), and protected marine species/ETPs.
- Support the development and implementation of annual work plans (AWPs) and detailed work plans for various Marine and Fisheries programs.
- Provide technical input to ensure program alignment with national policies, WWF-Indonesia’s strategies, and science-based management approaches.
- Support the integration of the Environmental and Social Safeguard Framework (ESSF) principles and risk mitigation into program planning.
- Contribute to donor reporting, monitoring and evaluation processes, and program documentation.
- Contribute to preparing the progress and final reports for the Annual Work Plan (AWP) of the Marine and Fisheries Science Team and support the data or analysis on marine biodiversity and coastal ecosystems required by other related programs in the Marine and Fisheries Directorate, including the provision of relevant Means of Verification (MoV) documents.
E. People and Culture
- Identify required human resources and support staff/non-staff capacity development & develop individual KPIs in consultation with the supervisor.
F. Strategic, Sourcing and Operations
- Identify and propose procurement of goods and services that support the implementation of the annual work plan.
- Use and maintain WWF-Indonesia’s various work equipment, whether capital or non-capital assets, and support the General Support Team in conducting asset inventory processes in accordance with General Support policies.
G. Finance and Administration
- Support the Finance and Administration Team in ensuring the implementation of WWF-Indonesia’s financial management policies and procedures related to program activities and cross-programmatic support for Marine and Fisheries.
III. REQUIREMENT
A. Knowledge & Experience
- Minimum Bachelor’s Degree (S1) in Marine Science, Marine Biology, Fisheries, Marine Conservation, or other related disciplines.
- Minimum of more than five (5) years of professional experience in marine biodiversity research, ecological monitoring, marine conservation, or marine resource management.
- Strong analytical skills, including experience in data analysis, interpretation, and technical report writing.
- Proven experience working collaboratively with government institutions, multi-stakeholder platforms, local communities, and relevant partners.
- Proficiency in English, both written and spoken, with strong public communication and presentation skills.
- Ability to work effectively both independently and collaboratively within a team environment under limited supervision, with a strong interest in field-based work and community engagement.
B. Technical / Specific Knowledge
- Strong understanding of marine and coastal ecology, including ecosystem dynamics, biodiversity conservation principles, and marine ETP species.
- Knowledge and experience in the management and governance of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and other marine conservation approaches.
- Familiarity with marine biodiversity survey methodologies, ecological monitoring techniques, and field data collection protocols.
- Proficiency to conduct data analysis, including basic to intermediate statistical analysis and interpretation of ecological data.
- Familiarity with MPA zonation design and marine conservation planning approaches.
- Ability to conduct assessments, including ecological, institutional, and community needs assessments.
- Strong facilitation skills, including stakeholder engagement, workshop facilitation, and participatory approaches.
- Knowledge and experience in developing advocacy and policy engagement strategies related to marine conservation and sustainable fisheries management.
- Ability in the use of Geographic Information System (GIS) tools and spatial analysis for marine and coastal resource management will be considered an advantage.
At Yayasan WWF Indonesia, we are committed to creating an inclusive working environment where diversity is valued and equal opportunities are provided to all. We therefore welcome applications from all sections of the community and offer a range of benefits to support a healthy work-life balance.
Please submit your application by clicking the Apply button below or sending your Curriculum Vitae (CV) to vacancy@wwf.id with the subject “Position Title – Name” no later than September 13th, 2026.
We encourage early applications, as this vacancy may close prior to the deadline once a suitable candidate has been identified.