Research Director

About the role

Kaleka is seeking an experienced Research Director to lead the organization's research strategy, agenda, and outputs. The role will ensure that Kaleka's research is grounded in rigorous evidence, relevant to policy and practice, and contributes to meaningful systems transformation.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the design, planning, and execution of Kaleka's research agenda covering agri-food systems, forestry, regenerative agriculture, fisheries, aquaculture, and rural economy issues.
• Develop appropriate research frameworks, methodologies, and analytical approaches, ensuring scientific rigor and policy relevance.
• Supervise and mentor researchers and analysts, strengthening technical capacity and maintaining the quality of research outputs.
• Author and co-author research papers, policy briefs, technical reports, and publications for academic, donor, and policy audiences.
• Represent Kaleka's research work in engagements with government agencies, donors, academic institutions, and civil society partners.
• Manage relationships with research partners, universities, and technical advisors, including collaborative or commissioned research.
• Oversee research budgets, timelines, and deliverables in coordination with program and management teams.
• Contribute to fundraising and proposal development by providing technical research design input.

Skill and experiences

Qualification

• Advanced degree (Master's or PhD) in Agricultural Economics, Development Economics, Natural Resource Economics, or a closely related field.
• 5–10 years of relevant research experience, including experience leading or managing research teams and agendas.
• Demonstrated record of publications on sustainable forestry, regenerative agriculture, or closely related research topics (e.g., land use, rural livelihoods, climate-smart agriculture, natural resource governance).
• Strong quantitative and qualitative research skills, including experience with data analysis, survey design, and policy-oriented research methods.
• Proven ability to translate research into policy-relevant recommendations and communicate findings to diverse audiences.
• Experience managing research budgets, teams, and partnerships with universities, donors, or government institutions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in both Bahasa Indonesia and English.
• Strong leadership, organizational, and project management capabilities.
• Familiarity with Indonesia's forestry and agricultural policy landscape, including relevant regulatory frameworks (preferred).
• Established professional network among researchers, policymakers, and practitioners in sustainable land use and agriculture (preferred).

How to Apply

Interested candidates are invited to submit:

·      Cover Letter

·      Curriculum Vitae (CV)

·      List of Relevant Publications

Interested candidates are invited to submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, and a list of relevant publications to [email protected], with email subject: Research Director - Candidate Name

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until 12 October 2026.

Kaleka is an equal-opportunity employer and welcomes applicants from all backgrounds and genders. We are committed to pluralism and to taking seriously perspectives different from our own, particularly those of the smallholders and communities our work serves.

About us

Kaleka is an action-research and systems transformation organization that develops, tests, and scales solutions for regional bioeconomies in Indonesia. By linking farmers, landscapes, industry, and markets, Kaleka creates replicable models that protect forests, strengthen rural economies, and accelerate the transition toward regenerative agri-food systems at scale. Kaleka serves as the research, systems design, and strategic backbone of an ecosystem of specialized organizations that together transform regenerative agriculture from isolated projects into scalable bioeconomic systems.