Research Analyst for Extended Producer Responsibilities (EPR) for Packaging

Consultant as Research Analyst for Extended Producer Responsibilities (EPR) for Packaging - Ocean and Plastic Waste Program

This is a hybrid position which requires 8 days per month in the office. You will be based in our office in WRI Indonesia, Jakarta. Existing work authorization is required at the time of application submission as WRI is unable to sponsor any visa work sponsorship for this position.

Program Overview

World Resources Institute (WRI) Indonesia is an independent, nonprofit research organization that turns big ideas into action at the nexus of environment, economic opportunity, and human well-being. WRI Indonesia works with government, businesses, civil society, research institutions, and development partners to advance evidence-based policies and solutions for sustainable development.

Through its work on plastic pollution and the circular economy, WRI Indonesia supports Indonesia and relevant stakeholders in strengthening policies, institutions, and implementation mechanisms to reduce plastic pollution and promote a more inclusive and sustainable packaging system. Mandatory Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is an important policy instrument for strengthening producers' responsibility for the post-consumer management of packaging. Effective implementation requires an enabling ecosystem that connects packaging design, recycled-content markets, alternative materials, reuse and refill systems, financing mechanisms, waste management infrastructure, and inclusive participation across the value chain.

Job Highlight

The Research Analyst will support the delivery of a research package to strengthen mandatory Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for packaging in Indonesia. The role will contribute to data collection, analysis, and drafting across three interconnected research workstreams:

• Sustainable packaging ecosystem and governance: Assessment of recycled-content markets, alternative packaging materials, and reuse/refill systems, including recommendations for policy interventions, implementation roadmaps, and traceability frameworks.
• Strengthening mandatory EPR for packaging: Assessment of policy scenarios and their implications for EPR costs, contributions from non-obliged companies, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and eco-modulation mechanisms.
• Equity and just transition: Analysis of formal and informal sector value chains, socioeconomic and employment impacts, social protection, and gender equality, disability, and social inclusion (GEDSI), with recommendations for an inclusive transition (including GEDSI guideline for EPR implementation).

What You Will Do

Research, Data Analysis, and Writing (75%)

• Conduct literature reviews, policy and regulatory analysis on EPR for packaging, recycled-content policies, eco-modulation, traceability, reuse/refill, and just transition.
• Collect, clean, and manage primary and secondary data on packaging placed on the market, waste generation, collection and recycling rates, recycled-resin prices and offtake, and waste management costs. Maintain a clear log of data sources, assumptions, and limitations.
• Develop and run spreadsheet-based models and scenario calculations for EPR costs, recycled-content targets, and GHG emissions (e.g., material flow analysis, emission factors, cost-per-tonne estimates) under the direction of the Managers and Senior Research Lead.
• Map packaging and recycling value chains, including producers, producer responsibility organizations, recyclers, aggregators (lapak/pelapak), waste banks (bank sampah), and informal waste workers.
• Support the design and test data collection tools (e.g. interview guides, survey questionnaires, FGD protocols), and conduct interviews, field visits, and focus group discussions, collecting sex- and disability-disaggregated data where relevant.
• Analyze qualitative and quantitative data, and develop tables, charts, maps, and infographics to communicate findings clearly.
• Draft assigned sections, annexes, and summaries for three technical knowledge products, incorporating feedback from Senior Research Lead, peer reviewers, and donor representative.

Stakeholder Engagement, Coordination, and Administrative Support (25%)

• Coordinate logistic for technical consultations, interviews, workshops, and validation meetings with government ministries and agencies, private sector representatives, producer responsibility organizations, industry associations, recyclers, civil society organizations, research institutions, and informal sector representatives.
• Prepare background notes, meeting materials, and presentations, and documenting consultation findings and agreed follow-up actions.
• Maintain organized stakeholder contact list, consultation records, and research files in accordance with WRI’s data management and research ethics procedures.
• Support the preparation of policy briefs, slide decks, blogs, and other short products that share research findings with government, donors, and the public.
• Support work planning, progress tracking, and donor reporting for the research package.

What You Will Need

• Bachelor's degree in environmental science, environmental engineering, economics, public policy, development studies, sustainability, social sciences, or other relevant field.
• Minimum 4 (four) years of relevant professional experience in applied research, policy analysis, circular economy, waste management, sustainable packaging, or related fields.
• Sound understanding of EPR, plastic pollution, recycling markets, and circular economy concepts, as well as Indonesia's waste management, packaging, and environmental policy landscape.
• Demonstrate strong quantitative research skills, including data cleaning, analysis, and spreadsheet modelling in Excel. Experience with R, Python, Stata, or similar tools is an advantage.
• Experience or training in at least one of the following areas: material flow analysis, cost analysis, GHG accounting, or life-cycle assessment.
• Experience conducting qualitative research, including interviews, focus group discussions, and fieldwork, ideally with informal sector workers or communities.
• Demonstrate understanding of gender equality, disability, and social inclusion (GEDSI) and how to incorporate these considerations into research design, data collection, and analysis.
• Demonstrate strong research writing skills, with experience contributing to technical reports, policy briefs, or other research publications.
• Demonstrate the ability to communicate technical findings clearly to non-specialist audiences using written and visual formats
• Well organised, pay close attention to detail, and able to maintain multiple competing priorities.
• Work well in a team and be comfortable engaging with government, private sector, civil society, and community stakeholders.
• Proficiency in Bahasa Indonesia and English on both verbal and written communications
• Ability and willingness to travel as required
• Legally able to work in Indonesia

Duration

1 December 2026 – 31 December 2027

Deliverables

The Research Analyst will contribute to the timely, high-quality delivery of the three technical knowledge products below, working under the technical lead of the Senior Research Lead.

1. Deliverable 1: Draft of Technical Report on Building the Ecosystem and Governance for Sustainable Packaging

The report will assess and recommend ways to build a sustainable packaging ecosystem in Indonesia, covering demand for recycled content, recycled-content targets, traceability, and ecomodulation framework. The Research Analyst will support it by:

• Supporting research and analysis on recycled content target-setting and scenario, traceability, and ecomodulation frameworks.
• General support in data collection and research writing

2. Deliverable 2: Draft of Technical Paper on Strengthening Mandatory EPR for Packaging.

The paper will assess policy scenarios for mandatory EPR and their effects on system costs, contributions from non-obliged companies, GHG emissions, and eco-modulation. The Research Analyst will support it by:

• Supporting EPR for packaging research through cost data collection and scenario analysis, profiling non-obliged companies and developing their contribution mechanisms, assessing GHG impacts and alignment with national and corporate climate targets.

3. Deliverable 3: Draft of Technical Paper on Equity and Just Transition in Mandatory EPR for Packaging

The paper will set out a pathway toward a just and inclusive EPR system, including GEDSI guidelines. The Research Analyst will support it by:

• Supporting interviews and focus group discussions with various stakeholders

For all deliverables, the Research Analyst will also provide the following supporting outputs:

• A shared, well-organised evidence base: literature review matrix, datasets, and model files with a documented assumptions log.
• Interview, consultation, and validation notes in an agreed format.
• Charts, tables, infographics, and slide decks for presentations and dissemination.
• Short monthly progress updates to the Research Lead.

Terms of Payment

Daily rate-based consultant with a maximum of 20 (twenty) working days per month

How to Apply:

• Please submit a resume with a cover letter by 12 November 2026. You must apply through the WRI Careers portal to be considered. We may close for applications sooner if we receive a high volume of applications from qualified candidates.
• Must have authorization to work in Indonesia to be eligible for this position.
• Final candidates might be required to take a certain test and/or to produce/share writing samples when needed.
• This is a locally engaged position, Indonesian nationals are encouraged to apply.

What we offer:

• Consultant rate that is commensurate with experience and skill.
• Travel insurance for both domestic and international for any travel duty as assigned by WRI Indonesia
• Access to the WRI global network with the opportunity to exchange with and learn from passionate colleagues working at the cutting edge of their fields.
• A workplace that strives to put diversity and inclusion at the heart of our work
• The opportunity to join and get involved in different working groups and affinity groups to shape the future of WRI
• Commitment to hybrid working model with flexible working hours

About Us:

World Resources Institute works to improve people’s lives, protect and restore nature and stabilize the climate. As an independent research organization, we leverage our data, expertise and global reach to influence policy and catalyze change across systems like food, land and water; energy; and cities. Our 2,000+ staff work on the ground in more than a dozen focus countries and with partners in over 50 nations.

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

Our culture:

WRI is committed to advancing gender and social equity for human well-being in our mission including equal opportunities in employment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, caste, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, or protected Veteran status.

Our Human Resources Team carefully reviews all applications.

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