Position Title : Anthropology Specialist (Consultant)
Reports to : Project Leader
Duration of Contract : Project-based with 8 months contract and possibility to extent
Location : Tambrauw, Southwest Papua, Indonesia
About Alam Sehat Lestari (ASRI)
Alam Sehat Lestari (ASRI) is a non-governmental organization dedicated to promoting sustainable health and environmental practices in Indonesia. ASRI works to conserve the biodiversity of tropical rainforests by meeting the health and economic needs of surrounding communities. Since 2007, ASRI has worked near Gunung Palung National Park (GPNP), a 108,000-hectare rain forest in western Borneo that is home to 5-10% of the world’s remaining orangutans and a watershed for 60,000 people. The ASRI Clinic discounted health care to local communities in exchange for commitments to forest conservation. ASRI is a world-renowned organization recognized with multiple awards globally and within Indonesia including the Kalpataru Award. Our integrated work with human health and conservation has brought about a dramatic decline in logging. In 2018, ASRI expanded to a second site: Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park (BBBRNP), a 181,090-hectare rainforest in central Borneo, critical for orangutan reintroduction.
Considering the importance of scaling up the effort to conserve the biodiversity of tropical rainforests to combat climate change and promote the community’s health, ASRI will bring its successful planetary health model to Southwest Papua. ASRI aims to integrate health, conservation, and sustainable development to improve the well-being of local communities while preserving the region’s rich biodiversity.
Tanah Papua Project
In 2024 ASRI will expand the Planetary health program in potential areas in the National Park/conservation forest in Indonesia. ASRI will conduct the baseline survey in Tambrauw, Southwest Papua using the gold standard survey form from Health in Harmony in collaboration with the Malagasy National Institute of Statistics (INSTAT).In addition to the standard survey tools provided by the above-mentioned, ASRI also has conducted a series of preliminary activities in Papua, such as radical listening, as the core approach of ASRI, to listen to the communities; as well as an initial assessment to understand the local context of possible program interventions in Papua. ASRI has been closely collaborating with the government entities, both in the center of Jakarta and local government in Papua.
The initial project in Tambrauw will have 2 main objectives which are: (1) To obtain an overview of problems related to human and environmental health; and the factors that may affect them in places directly adjacent to the high conservation value area (Tambrauw regency), and (2) To develop programs based on health and environmental conservation as a basis for anticipating future ASRI’s program and interventions.
Position Overview
ASRI is seeking a highly qualified Anthropologist Specialist for a project based in Tambrauw, Southwest Papua. The Anthropologist Specialist will play a crucial role in understanding and addressing the social dynamics and cultural context of the local communities to ensure the successful implementation of development projects.
Responsibilities
1. Conduct ethnographic research to understand the cultural, social, and economic context of the local communities in Tambrauw
2. Review relevant documents at ASRI related to the Papua project. This includes the results of the radical listening, the initial assessment, the initial baseline, and other available documents.
3. Collaborate with local communities to identify needs, challenges, and opportunities related to health, development, and conservation
4. Provide cultural insights and recommendations to inform the design and implementation of ASRI’s projects, ensuring they align with local values and traditions
5. Facilitate community engagement activities to promote awareness, participation, and ownership of development initiatives
6. Work closely with interdisciplinary teams to integrate anthropological perspectives into project planning, monitoring, and evaluation
7. Develop and maintain strong relationships with local stakeholders, including community leaders, society members, and local organizations
8. Contribute to the production of reports, publications, and other communication materials to share insights and lessons learned
9. Write a high-quality report related to the anthropological perspective using the ethnographic approach, as well as provide recommendations for the project interventions
10. Play a role as a field coordinator during the project implementation, with some key activities as follows:
- Coordinate and oversee field activities related to health, conservation, and community development in Tambrauw
- Collaborate with project teams and community stakeholders to ensure the effective planning and execution of fieldwork.
- Facilitate community engagement and participation in project activities, ensuring a culturally sensitive and community-based approach
- Provide logistical support for field teams, including transportation, equipment, and materials necessary for project implementation
- Monitor and evaluate field activities, collecting relevant data and feedback for project reporting and improvement
- Foster strong relationships with local communities, community leaders, and project partners to enhance collaboration and project impact
- Act as a liaison between the project teams, local communities, and ASRI headquarters, providing regular updates on progress and challenges
11. Work closely with the Research and Monev Manager and other Research Team Division of ASRI to develop the project file
12. Other tasks required by the Project Leader
Qualifications
- Master’s degree in Anthropology, Development, or any other related field
- Minimum experience of 3 years of relevant experience in social survey and data analysis and relevant experience in project coordination or community development
- Proven experience in conducting anthropological research in community-based settings
- Familiarity with the cultural and social dynamics of the Tambrauw region or Papua context, preferably with experience working with local communities
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively in a cross-cultural environment
- Ability to collaborate with diverse stakeholders, including community members, government officials, and NGO partners
- Strong organizational and logistical skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively in a cross-cultural environment
- Proficiency in both written and spoken English
- Fluency in local languages is highly desirable
Application Process
Interested candidates should submit their CV, cover letter, and contact information for three professional references to procurement@alamsehatlestari.org cc luce@alamsehatlestari.org by March 20, 2024. Please include “Name_Anthropologist Specialist” in the subject line. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.
Women and candidates from local communities are strongly encouraged to apply.
Note: This is a project-based position, and the selected candidate will be expected to reside in or relocate to Tambrauw (Southwest Papua) for the duration of the project.