Vacancy

Research Consultant

Interfaith Environmental Practices in Indonesia: Actors, Practices, and Collaboration

Consultancy

Location: Home Based 

The International Dialogue Centre (KAICIID) is seeking a Consultant to generate policy-relevant and programme-oriented evidence on interfaith environmental collaboration in Indonesia, with particular attention to religious minorities and indigenous communities.

An Introduction to KAICIID

KAICIID aims to create a more peaceful world by promoting dialogue and supporting religious leaders and communities in tackling our most pressing problems. We do this through education and training, convening religious leaders and policymakers, and carrying out research to encourage and enhance interreligious and intercultural dialogue. We work with our partners to build their capacities, connections, and confidence.

Our work focuses on four pressing and linked issues that challenge humanity: violent conflict; migration; the climate emergency, and social cohesion. We bring together religious leaders with policymakers to find constructive ways to address these issues through dialogue. Our work respects and values the differences between faiths and cultures but promotes the idea that we share a common humanity and a collective need to address these problems. Through all our work run three threads: youth engagement, gender, and policy development.

The primary objective of the Programme Division (PROD) is to create the conditions, platforms and environment through which religious leaders and other actors, in particular policy makers and dialogue practitioners, can engage in constructive dialogue, thus strengthening mutual understanding and respect with the ultimate aim to encourage them to initiate action to bring about change in the policies of religious institutions and governments, at various levels, build mechanisms to facilitate on-going dialogue and action as well as strengthen networks of committed and experienced religious leaders, and other actors in the use of (IRD/ICD) for peace and reconciliation in conflict situations in particular.

Background and Context

Indonesia is highly vulnerable to environmental degradation and climate-related crises, which has prompted increasing engagement by religious actors, faith-based organizations, and indigenous communities in environmental protection. Over the past two decades, religious environmentalism has expanded significantly, driven not only by Muslim-majority institutions but also by religious minorities and indigenous belief systems whose cosmologies have long governed human - nature relations.

More recently, religious environmental action in Indonesia has gained additional momentum through policy developments led by the Ministry of Religious Affairs, particularly the integration of ecotheology into national policy frameworks since 2025. This policy direction has encouraged both majority and minority religious communities to engage in environmental protection across sectors, including education, waste management, forest protection, and marine conservation.

At the same time, indigenous communities across Indonesia continue to play a critical role in environmental stewardship through customary practices such as sasi, forest protection regimes, and marine conservation systems. These practices often intersect with religious pluralism and informal interfaith collaboration, although such dynamics remain under-documented.

Despite the growing number of interfaith environmental initiatives - such as Eco-Bhinneka Muhammadiyah, the Interfaith Rainforest Initiative, and interfaith land-fire mitigation efforts - there is still limited comparative analysis of how interfaith collaboration functions in practice, particularly among religious minorities and indigenous communities, and how such collaboration can be strengthened and scaled through policy and programming.

In this context, KAICIID seeks to commission a research consultant to undertake an applied qualitative study that maps key actors, analyzes collaboration mechanisms, identifies best practices, and produces policy-relevant recommendations to inform programme implementation and policy engagement in Indonesia.

Objectives:

The purpose of this consultancy is to generate policy-relevant and programme-oriented evidence on interfaith environmental collaboration in Indonesia, with particular attention to religious minorities and indigenous communities.

The specific objectives are to:

1. Map and identify key actors, networks, and initiatives led by religious minority groups and indigenous communities engaged in environmental action in Indonesia.

2. Analyze the mechanisms through which interfaith collaboration occurs, including resource-sharing, joint initiatives, and institutional arrangements.

3. Identify best practices from interfaith and indigenous environmental initiatives that have generated tangible social or ecological outcomes.

4. Develop policy recommendations for government institutions - particularly the Ministry of Religious Affairs and the Ministry of Environment - to strengthen and scale interfaith environmental initiatives.

5. Produce knowledge outputs that can support KAICIID’s programme implementation, policy dialogue, and partnerships on interreligious and intercultural dialogue (IRD/ICD) and environmental protection.

Scope of Work

Under the direct supervision of KAICIID’s Senior Programme Manager for Asia, the Research Consultant will be responsible for the following:

3.1 Research Design and Methodology

• Refine the research framework and analytical approach based on a cross-case comparative qualitative methodology.

• Finalize case selection in consultation with KAICIID, ensuring diversity across religious traditions, indigenous communities, and geographic contexts.

• Develop data collection tools, including interview guides and FGD protocols.

3.2 Data Collection

• Conduct desk research, including review of academic literature, policy documents, reports, and digital content.

• Undertake fieldwork and/or online data collection, including:

• In-depth interviews with religious leaders, indigenous leaders, environmental activists, community organizers, and relevant government officials;

• Focus group discussions where appropriate.

• Ensure ethical research practices, including informed consent and sensitivity to religious and indigenous contexts.

3.3 Data Analysis

• Code and analyze qualitative data to identify patterns, mechanisms, and typologies of interfaith environmental collaboration.

• Conduct cross-case comparisons to identify enabling factors, challenges, and transferable practices.

3.4 Knowledge Products and Dissemination

• Draft a comprehensive research report presenting findings, analysis, and conclusions.

• Develop a concise policy brief with actionable recommendations targeted at relevant ministries and stakeholders.

• Prepare a peer-reviewed journal article situating the findings within broader debates on religion, governance, and environmental action.

• Produce a short analytical essay for public dissemination through a reputable media outlet or academic blog.

Deliverables:

Timelines and Duration 

The consultant will be responsible for delivering the following outputs within an estimated total of 38 working days over a period of 6 months.

Management Arrangement

The consultant will report directly to the Senior Programme Manager for Asia and will coordinate closely with relevant KAICIID programme and research staff. Regular check-ins will be scheduled to ensure alignment with programme priorities and policy engagement timelines.

Any change in scope, deliverables, or timeline must be agreed in writing prior to implementation.

Our Ideal Candidate:

• Advanced academic training (Master’s or PhD level) in sociology, anthropology, religious studies, environmental studies, political science, or a related field.

• Demonstrated research experience on the intersection between religion and environment in Indonesia.

• Strong qualitative research skills, including interviews, FGDs, and comparative case analysis.

• Proven ability to translate research findings into policy-relevant recommendations.

• Familiarity with the Indonesian religious, social, and political context is required.

• Excellent analytical writing skills in English;

Languages

• English proficiency (written and spoken).

• Proficiency in Bahasa Indonesia is a strong asset.

Terms of Appointment

Duration: The consultancy duration is foreseen for 6 months with the maximum of 35 working days, where 8 hours of work constitute one working day.

The foreseen budget for this consultancy is EUR 8,000.

The consultancy fee will be offered in accordance with KAICIID consultancy rates, depending on the experience and expertise of the selected candidate.

KAICIID is committed to diversity and inclusion and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all religious, ethnic, and social backgrounds to apply.

How to Apply:    

All applicants are required to submit a complete application package consisting of the following:

1. CV highlighting relevant past engagement (Weight: 50%)
2. Cover letter, including proposal of a daily rate (Weight: 50%)

Applicants are kindly requested to take the allocated budget into consideration when indicating their daily rate.

Deadline for applications

Monday, 16 March 2026, 23:59 (GMT)