Parliamentary Research Fellow – Clean Air & Lead Contamination

Job Description

Clean Air and Lead Contamination Parliamentary Fellowship Program

About the Organization:

Swaniti Initiative is an ecosystem builder working toward a sustainable future in a climate constrained world. It has a strong legacy of working in South Asia on supporting Parliamentarians and sub-national governments on designing and delivering interventions that respond to the climate crisis. Swaniti Initiative is now expanding its footprint in Indonesia and working on energy transition efforts.

Swaniti Initiative is undertaking a comprehensive technical support programme focused on supporting the economic diversification of mining communities in Indonesia. Additionally, we are working on pathways in mobilizing public funds most efficiently in large scale energy initiatives. And looking to support the private sector in decarbonization efforts. Our work aims to support the government of Indonesia in finding economic pathways on energy transition. It involves conducting comprehensive research, skills assessments, aspiration analysis, and demographic studies to inform key policymakers and support a just transition in these regions.

As our work grows, we are hoping to onboard a senior climate specialist who can lead our work in country and support in fulfilling Swaniti’s vision.

Program Description

The Swaniti Parliamentary Research Fellowship is designed to strengthen evidence-informed senatorial leadership on clean air and lead contamination in Indonesia by connecting participating Senators with early-career researchers who can provide timely, credible and constituency-relevant evidence.

The Fellowship brings together two mutually reinforcing elements: Parliamentary Research Fellows and Senatorial Champions. Research Fellows support participating Senators through constituency-based research, evidence synthesis, policy and regulatory analysis, monitoring of emerging issues, and preparation of concise research and briefing materials. Senatorial Champions provide the policy and constituency interface through bilateral briefings, technical consultations, constituency discussions and national roundtables.

The programme creates a continuous connection between research and senatorial engagement. The Fellowship brings together early career and academic researchers with strong research and analytical capabilities and provides substantive orientation and mentoring to translate scientific and local evidence into useful policy products for Senators.

Program Goal

To strengthen evidence-informed senatorial leadership on clean air and lead contamination through research support, constituency-based evidence generation, and sustained engagement with participating Senators.

Program Objective

• Generate credible, timely and constituency-relevant evidence on clean air and lead contamination.
  
• Provide participating Senators with practical research and briefing support for constituency engagement, oversight and policy dialogue.
  
• Strengthen the ability of early-career researchers to translate scientific, policy and local evidence into concise, policy-oriented products.
  
• Identify evidence, monitoring, implementation and policy gaps that can inform senatorial action and stakeholder engagement.
  

Thematic Areas of Research

Fellows will undertake research based on priorities and evidence needs identified through the Fellowship and engagement with participating Senators. The areas below provide a flexible framework rather than a predetermined research agenda.

• Air Quality and Monitoring
  
• Lead Contamination and Exposure
  
• Industrial, Mining and Resource-Based Activities
  
• Waste and Community Exposure
  
• Public Health and Constituency Impacts
  
• Policy, Regulatory and Institutional Gaps
  
• Senatorial Oversight and Policy Responses
  

These thematic areas guide inquiry rather than predetermine findings. Fellows are expected to investigate available evidence objectively and identify findings, gaps and implications.

Core Responsibilities of Research Fellows

· Monitor provincial developments related to clean air, air pollution and lead contamination, including policy, regulatory and constituency developments.

· Review scientific evidence, research literature, policy documents, regulations and available local data relevant to the assigned constituency or thematic priority.

· Conduct constituency-based research to identify environmental and public-health risks, evidence gaps, monitoring capacity, policy and regulatory gaps, and potential policy responses.

· Prepare concise briefing notes, research responses, constituency profiles and background materials under Swaniti guidance and in response to Senatorial or constituency priorities.

· Develop and update stakeholder mapping.

· Respond to research questions and information requests from participating Senators.

· Prepare background materials for meetings, speeches, hearings, field visits and public engagements.

· Participate in policy briefings, research consultations and roundtables.

· Document research findings and incorporate feedback from Swaniti and participating Senators.

· Prepare a final research paper on an agreed clean air or lead contamination issue.

Requirements

Target Candidates

The Fellowship is intended primarily for early-career researchers already engaged in research, academic work or professional activities related to environmental health, public health, air quality, pollution, lead exposure, environmental governance or related fields.

Candidate Profile

• Strong research and analytical skills.
  
• Ability to conduct literature reviews and evidence synthesis.
  
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
  
• Ability to interpret scientific, policy and regulatory information.
  
• Ability to work with available quantitative and/or qualitative data.
  
• Interest in public policy and evidence-informed decision-making.
  
• Ability to translate technical findings into concise and accessible policy-oriented outputs.
  
• Curiosity and willingness to engage with multidisciplinary issues.
  
• Commitment to rigorous, credible and non-partisan research.
  

Prior academic or professional exposure to clean air, lead contamination or environmental health is desirable. Candidates do not need to be experts across all aspects of the agenda; Swaniti will provide orientation and ongoing mentoring.

Only Indonesian Residents may appply