Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Advisor
(Part-time Consultant)
Contractor Terms of Reference (TOR)

Location: Indonesia

March 2026

About Landesa

Grounded in the knowledge that having legal rights to land is a foundation for prosperity and opportunity, Landesa partners with governments and local organizations to ensure that those experiencing the most extreme forms of poverty have secure rights over the land they steward. Founded as the Rural Development Institute in 1967, Landesa has helped more than 100 million families living in poverty gain legal control over their land. Landesa works closely with Landesa Indonesia, an Indonesia-based foundation, headquartered in Jakarta and established in 2023, that promotes social and humanitarian efforts related rural development and poverty alleviation focused on land rights and other natural resources, in addition to promoting the participation and social standing of women and marginalized communities. With secure land rights, especially for women, these families can eat better, earn more, educate their children, practice conservation, and achieve dignity for generations. For additional information, visit the Landesa website at www.landesa.org and www.landesaindonesia.org.

Landesa Indonesia, as part of the Landesa Global, through the Mangroves and Coastal Project supports sustainable coastal and mangrove management, tenure security, and improved livelihoods for coastal communities in Indonesia. The project’s primary goals are to: (1) protect coastal mangroves, (2) strengthen tenure, livelihoods, and participation of local and adat communities, and (3) contribute to climate action through inclusive governance reforms.

To advance these objectives, Landesa Indonesia seeks an experienced Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Advisor to provide technical expertise and spatial analysis to support policy development and program implementation related to land tenure, mangrove ecosystems, and coastal governance. The advisor will contribute to the collection, analysis, and visualization of spatial data to inform policy discussions, pilot site planning, and engagement with government institutions, strengthening evidence-based approaches to mangrove protection, community tenure security, and climate action.

Objective of the Assignment

The Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Advisor will provide technical advisory and analytical support to Landesa’s Indonesia mangrove initiative, particularly related to spatial analysis, mapping, and data management. The advisor will support Landesa’s efforts to integrate spatial data into policy analysis, pilot site planning, and decision-making processes to strengthen mangrove protection, community tenure security, and climate action initiatives.

Scope of Work

Under the supervision of the Indonesia Programme Director and in coordination with the Landesa Indonesia team, the GIS Advisor will perform the following tasks:

1. Spatial Data Collection and Analysis

• Collect spatial data related to mangrove ecosystems, land use, tenure systems, and coastal development.
• Conduct spatial analysis related to climate change mitigation and adaptation in coastal areas.
• Analyze spatial information for Landesa’s pilot sites.

2. Data Identification and Management

• Identify and catalog public and non-public spatial databases relevant to project objectives.
• Document procedures required to obtain access to spatial databases.
• Provide guidance on how spatial data can support government programs and Landesa initiatives.

3. Mapping and Visualization

• Develop maps and geospatial visualizations for pilot sites and administrative boundaries.
• Map land rights, mangrove cover, forest status, peatland areas, and moratorium zones.
• Support preparation of maps for reports, presentations, and government engagement.

4. Policy and Program Support

• Provide inputs on the use of GIS in Landesa programming and assessment tools.
• Conduct research on land tenure, mangrove protection, and land-use conflicts from a spatial perspective.
• Provide recommendations to support spatial planning and zoning regulations.

5. Capacity Building and Collaboration

• Support Landesa staff and partners in understanding and utilizing spatial data.
• Provide inputs to policy reports, briefs, and technical documents.
• Prepare presentations, memos, and analytical reports related to GIS.

Deliverables

1. Spatial datasets and GIS analyses related to mangrove ecosystems and coastal tenure.
2. Maps and geospatial visualizations for pilot sites and policy engagement.
3. Technical memos and analytical reports on spatial analysis.
4. Documentation of spatial databases and access procedures.
5. Periodic updates on activities conducted and findings.

Duration and Work Schedule

Qualifications

1. Advanced degree in Geography, GIS, Environmental Science, Land Administration, or related fields.
2. Demonstrated expertise in GIS and spatial analysis.
3. Experience working on land use, natural resource governance, or coastal management.
4. Strong analytical, mapping, and data visualization skills.
5. Excellent written and communication skills in English and Bahasa Indonesia.
6. Ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams.

Application Procedure

Interested applicants should submit the following documents to recruitment.idn@landesa.org by March 31, 2026, with the email subject line:

Subject: Application- GIS Advisor – (Your Full Name)

Please attach:

1. A cover letter describing your motivation and relevant experience.
2. A detailed CV (maximum 3 pages).
3. Contact information for at least two professional references.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further selection processes.

Management and Reporting

The GIS Advisor will report directly to the Indonesia Programme Director, working in coordination with the Landesa Indonesia team, and collaborating closely with Landesa’s U.S. and Southeast Asia-based staff.