Consultant as Geospatial Data Scientist (Jakarta based)

Program Overview

The Data Lab Unit aims to establish a leading hub for open-source data code and visualizations fostering data democratization and collaboration among NGOs and development partners. By addressing critical challenges such as unsustainable data platform management strategies technical inconsistencies and high employee turnover the unit will ensure the long-term sustainability and impact of WRI Indonesias platforms. This initiative transforms grant-dependent outputs into powerful tools for driving positive change in climate resilience social equity and nature conservation across Indonesia and Southeast Asia. Aligning with WRIs strategy the Data Lab Unit promotes systemic data-driven solutions transitioning WRIs approach from isolated project delivery to broader systems change while enhancing institutional capabilities and addressing financial sustainability gaps to create scalable impactful initiatives.

Job Highlight

The Geospatial Data Scientist will support Data Lab Indonesia by delivering geospatial analytics processing remotely sensed data and delivering spatial modeling and intelligence aligned with strategic priorities. This role will contribute to the development and maintenance of flagship platforms support programmatic initiatives across teams and design pipelines for analysis-ready spatial data. Key responsibilities include the collection cleaning processing and management of geospatial datasets including GIS layers and remotely sensed imagery used by the Data Lab team. Additionally this position will also provide geospatial data services and visualizations to other programs and research teams collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure high-quality data standards reproducibility and proper documentation and support the creation of spatial dashboards story maps and analytics products.

The Geospatial Data Scientist will report directly to the Senior Lead for Data Engineering and Innovatoin work proactively with the Data Lab Indonesia team and collaborate closely with other GIS Research Analysts in every program team to ensure the accuracy and effectiveness of GIS-related activities contributing to the overall success of the Data Lab initiatives. This position will be based in Jakarta with office-flex working arrangement and travel requirement as support of WRIs 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

Research (80%)

• Conduct geospatial analysis and spatial intelligence research to support evidence-based decision-making across thematic areas relevant to Data Lab Indonesia.
• Contribute to research projects related to GeoAI (Geospatial Artificial Intelligence) and other relevant topics as needed.
• Design and implement geospatial models and algorithms for predictive analytics and apply machine learning and AI techniques for geospatial analysis where relevant.
• Collaborate with the team to expand the newly initiated GeoAI Lab including co-defining problem statements and exploring the appropriate use of geospatial technologies. This includes the development of innovative new tools methods models and techniques to enhance geospatial insight and support policy-relevant action.
• Explore new geospatial technologies platforms and methods (e.g. Google Earth Engine cloud-based geospatial computing AI/GeoAI).
• Develop and maintain a centralized repository for geospatial datasets with proper metadata and documentation and ensure data quality standardization and compliance with open data principles where applicable.
• Design develop and maintain spatial data and tools library ensuring the availability of high-quality analysis-ready datasets for current and future Data Lab initiatives.
• Actively contribute to the overall Data Lab research agenda and strategic direction including internal knowledge-sharing publications and cross-program collaboration.
• Establish and maintain high-quality data management standards and workflows to ensure reproducibility.

Project Management (2o%)

• Document geospatial methodologies processes and scripts for transparency and knowledge sharing.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams of researchers project managers data engineers data scientist designers communication to integrate geospatial insights into program strategies

What You Will Need

Required Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Geospatial Science Geography Environmental Science Remote Sensing Computer Science Data Science or related fields
• Minimum 3 (three) years of professional experience in geospatial data analysis remote sensing or spatial data science
• Proven track record in managing processing and analyzing large geospatial datasets and remotely sensed imagery (satellite imagery climate datasets biodiversity urban)
• Strong proficiency in GIS software (ArcGIS QGIS) and cloud-based geospatial platforms (Google Earth Engine Sentinel Hub etc.)
• Solid experience with geospatial programming libraries in Python (e.g. GDAL Rasterio GeoPandas Shapely PyTorch/TensorFlow for ML) and/or R (sf raster terra)
• Hands-on experience with satellite imagery preprocessing and analysis (Landsat Sentinel MODIS Planet etc.)
• Familiarity with machine learning/AI techniques for geospatial applications (classification clustering change detection predictive modeling)
• Solid understanding of statistics and geo-statistics concepts and methods
• Familiarity with data wrangling and database management of multiple remote sensing data types
• Familiarity with spatial databases (PostGIS BigQuery GIS) and workflow automation for reproducibility
• Automate data processing workflow where feasible maintaining documentation and tools for reproducible data review
• Experience creating geospatial dashboards and visualizations (Tableau PowerBI ArcGIS Online Leaflet Mapbox or similar)
• Understanding of cloud computing environments (Google Cloud AWS or Azure) for geospatial data processing
• Strong writing skills for both technical and general audiences
• Highly organized and systematic with strong time management skills and ability to juggle competing priorities and deadlines required

Preferred Qualifications

• Masters Degree in Remote Sensing geoinformatics earth observation computer science data science geography or any other related field
• Familiarity with GeoAI methods including deep learning for satellite image analysis (object detection semantic segmentation time-series analysis)
• Hands-on experience working with latest algorithms from computer science and machine learning to spatial data analyses in geosciences

Durations

15 September 2025 31 December 2025 with possibility of extension subject to individual performance project needs and budget availability.

Deliverables

1. Develop at least 2 spatial models and GeoAI-driven analytical layers to support ongoing and emerging geospatial research within the Data Lab.
2. Provide at least 2 high-quality support for spatial research including conducting literature reviews sourcing and managing datasets and performing geospatial data analysis.
3. Deliver 2 baseline geospatial analysis using GIS software scripted workflows (e.g. Python/R pipelines) and Google Earth Engine to fulfill spatial intelligence needs across all Data Lab initiatives.
4. Document and maintain organized workflows in the first 3 months for data collection cleaning analysis and visualization ensuring transparency and reproducibility using GIS tools or programing languages.
5. Respond to at least 2 geospatial requests to the development of project documentation technical reports and research publications supporting all relevant streams of work under the Data Lab.

Terms of Payment

Daily rate-based consultant with a maximum of 18 (eighteen) working days per month.

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Contract Arrangement

Individual consultancy contract (Part-time limited term)

What we offer

• Consultant rate that is commensurate with experience and skills
• Travel insurance for both domestic and international for any travel duty as assigned by WRI Indonesia
• Access to the WRI global network
• A workplace that strives to put diversity and inclusion at the heart of our work

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

Final candidates might be required to take a writing test and to produce two writing samples when needed.

How to apply: In order to be formally considered please submit an updated resume and cover letter through WRIcareer portal.

Application close: 1700 (DKI Jakarta local time) 9 September 2025.We will close the advert earlier when the best candidates are identified at earlier dates.

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 1800 people with work spanning 60 countries. We have offices in Africa Brazil China Europe India Indonesia Mexico Colombia and the United States aswell 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 worlds greatest environment and international development challenges and improve peoples 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:

WRIs mission is to move human society to live in ways that protect Earths 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 WRIs 10-year history in the country and strengthens our impact on the 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.