Associate- Fellow

Clean Air and Lead Contamination ParliamentaryFellowship Program

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.

ProgramDescription

The Swaniti Parliamentary Research Fellowship isdesigned to strengthen evidence-informed senatorial leadership on clean air andlead contamination in Indonesia by connecting participating Senators withearly-career researchers who can provide timely, credible andconstituency-relevant evidence.

The Fellowship brings together two mutuallyreinforcing elements: Parliamentary Research Fellows and Senatorial Champions.Research Fellows support participating Senators through constituency-basedresearch, evidence synthesis, policy and regulatory analysis, monitoring ofemerging issues, and preparation of concise research and briefing materials.Senatorial Champions provide the policy and constituency interface throughbilateral briefings, technical consultations, constituency discussions andnational roundtables.

The programme creates a continuous connectionbetween research and senatorial engagement. The Fellowship brings togetherearly career and academic researchers with strong research and analyticalcapabilities and provides substantive orientation and mentoring to translatescientific and local evidence into useful policy products for Senators.

ProgramGoal

To strengthen evidence-informed senatorialleadership on clean air and lead contamination through research support,constituency-based evidence generation, and sustained engagement withparticipating Senators.

ProgramObjective

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

ThematicAreas of Research

Fellowswill undertake research based on priorities and evidence needs identifiedthrough the Fellowship and engagement with participating Senators. The areasbelow 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
  

CoreResponsibilities of Research Fellows

·        Monitor provincial developments related toclean air, air pollution and lead contamination, including policy, regulatoryand constituency developments.

·        Review scientific evidence, researchliterature, policy documents, regulations and available local data relevant tothe assigned constituency or thematic priority.

·        Conduct constituency-based research toidentify environmental and public-health risks, evidence gaps, monitoringcapacity, policy and regulatory gaps, and potential policy responses.

·        Prepare concise briefing notes, researchresponses, constituency profiles and background materials under Swanitiguidance and in response to Senatorial or constituency priorities.

·        Develop and update stakeholder mapping.

·        Respond to research questions andinformation requests from participating Senators.

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

·        Participate in policy briefings, researchconsultations and roundtables.

·        Document research findings and incorporatefeedback from Swaniti and participating Senators.

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

Requirements

TargetCandidates

TheFellowship is intended primarily for early-career researchers already engagedin research, academic work or professional activities related to environmentalhealth, public health, air quality, pollution, lead exposure, environmentalgovernance or related fields.

CandidateProfile

• Strong research and analytical skills.
  
• Ability to conduct literature reviews andevidence synthesis.
  
• Strong written and verbal communicationskills.
  
• Ability to interpret scientific, policyand regulatory information.
  
• Ability to work with availablequantitative and/or qualitative data.
  
• Interest in public policy andevidence-informed decision-making.
  
• Ability to translate technical findingsinto concise and accessible policy-oriented outputs.
  
• Curiosity and willingness to engage withmultidisciplinary issues.
  
• Commitment to rigorous, credible andnon-partisan research.
  

Prioracademic or professional exposure to clean air, lead contamination orenvironmental health is desirable. Candidates do not need to be experts acrossall aspects of the agenda; Swaniti will provide orientation and ongoingmentoring.