User Research Lead

User Research Lead - Data Lab Indonesia

This is a hybrid position which requires 8 days per month in the office. You will be based in our office in WRI Indonesia, Jakarta. Existing work authorization is required at the time of application submission as WRI is unable to sponsor any visa work sponsorship for this position.

Program Overview

WRI Indonesia is an independent research organization that turns big ideas into action at the nexus of environment, economic opportunity, and human well-being. At WRI Indonesia, we aim to bring innovations in research and business approaches in order to create the enabling conditions for Indonesia to achieve robust economic growth while respecting environmental and social values. We seek to contribute to the accomplishment of ambitious sustainable development goals through working with leaders in public and private sectors, as well as collaborating with civil society organizations, in turning big ideas into action.

Within our Food-Land-Water (FLW) Program, we envision critical ecosystems such as forests and peatland across Indonesia to be governed fairly and sustainably. We believe sustainable land use management is key for Indonesia to meet its climate goal, in line with keeping the global climate target below the 1.5 degree Celcius warming threshold, while providing sustainable livelihoods to forest-dependent communities and conserve biodiversity in the landscape. We intend to achieve this through safeguarding the remaining forest and peatland from deforestation, degradation, and fragmentation; maintaining forests and peatland quality through sound stewardship; and restoring degraded ecosystem to improve its productivity, conservation value, and ecosystem services.

To achieve Indonesia’s climate goal while at the same time improving the livelihood of the communities and protecting biodiversity, we work together with partners to mainstream nature-based solutions (NbS) as an approach to address global climate challenge. We aim to achieve this through research, policy advocacy, and creation of a community of practice to develop new financing model for forest conservation, advocate regulatory framework that are conducive for NbS approach, and development of multi-stakeholder platform to amplify and accelerate NbS approach in Indonesia and Southeast Asia region.

Data Lab Indonesia

The Data Lab Unit aims to establish a leading hub for open-source data, code, and visualizations, fostering data democratization and collaboration among NGOs and development partners. By addressing critical challenges such as unsustainable data platform management strategies, technical inconsistencies, and high employee turnover, the unit will ensure the long-term sustainability and impact of WRI Indonesia's platforms. This initiative transforms grant-dependent outputs into powerful tools for driving positive change in climate resilience, social equity, and nature conservation across Indonesia and Southeast Asia. Aligning with WRI's strategy, the Data Lab Unit promotes systemic, data-driven solutions, transitioning WRI's approach from isolated project delivery to broader systems change while enhancing institutional capabilities and addressing financial sustainability gaps to create scalable, impactful initiatives.

Job Highlight

The User Research Lead will support the Data Lab team in integrating design thinking with strategic objectives to advance Data Lab mission. Reporting to the Product and Engineering Manager, The User Research Lead will work closely with a dedicated team, including a Product Specialist, UI/UX Designer, and Visualization Designer. These collaborators will provide essential support, fostering a culture of teamwork and innovation.

Based in Jakarta and tailored for teleworking, offering flexibility while requiring occasional travel to project sites or partner locations. The User Research Lead will be instrumental in creating user-centered tools and platforms that reflect WRI Indonesia’s commitment to impactful environmental solutions. Through this role, the individual will ensure the development and maintenance of high-quality products that align with user needs and organizational goals.

In support of WRI's DEI commitment, you are responsible for actively participating in these collaborative efforts by integrating equity into your work, our workplace, and the organizational culture.

What You Will Do

Product Development (40%)

• •Develop product strategies that align with WRI Indonesia's goals, ensuring impactful outcomes.
• •Collaborate with engineering teams to translate design concepts into functional, scalable products.
• •Analyze product performance to identify opportunities for iterative improvements .

User Research (40%)

• •Conduct user research to gather insights on user behaviors, needs, and pain points.
• •Facilitate usability testing to evaluate product prototypes and features.
• •Synthesize research findings into actionable recommendations for product improvements.
• •Develop user personas and journey maps to guide design and development processes.
• •Engage with end-users to validate features and ensure the tools meet their needs effectively.
• •Document processes and progress to provide transparency and ensure alignment with organizational goals.

Engagement (20%)

• •Build partnerships with stakeholders, including civil society organizations and government agencies, to align product goals with broader program objectives.
• •Facilitate workshops and training for stakeholders to introduce and maximize the use of WRI tools and platforms.
• •Promote knowledge sharing by presenting research findings and product insights to internal and external audiences.
• •Collaborate with communication teams to ensure product releases are well-publicized and accessible.

What You Will Need

Required Qualifications :

• •Bachelor’s degree in design, business, human-computer interaction, or a related field.
• •Minimum of 5 years of experience in product design, design strategy, or a related role.
• •Proven expertise in user research methods, usability testing, and data-driven design practices.
• •Strong proficiency in design tools such as Figma, Sketch, or Adobe Creative Suite.
• •Demonstrated experience in developing and executing product roadmaps aligned with business and user goals.
• •Strong analytical skills with the ability to translate research insights into actionable product strategies.
• •Excellent verbal and written communication and presentation skills to convey complex concepts to diverse audiences.
• •Proven ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams including engineering, product management, and design.
• •Experience managing multiple projects with tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• •Ability to tackle complex problems with innovative and user-centered solutions.

Preferred Qualifications :

• •Master’s degree in design strategy, product management, or a related field.
• •Familiarity with tools for collaborative brainstorming and workshops, such as Miro or FigmaJam.
• •Certification in design thinking, user experience, or product management.
• •Knowledge of web and mobile design principles, responsive design, and accessibility best practices.
• •Experience in mentoring or leading junior designers or product teams.
• •Understanding of data visualization principles and their application in environmental or social impact projects.
• •Familiarity with agile development methodologies and tools like Asana, JIRA or Trello.

Contract Arrangement

Full-time with fixed-term employment agreement for an initial contract up to 31 May 2027 with a possibility of extension subject to individual performance, project needs, and budget availability.

How to Apply:

• •Please submit a resume with a cover letter by 17 November 2026 . You must apply through the WRI Careers portal to be considered. We may close for applications sooner if we receive a high volume of applications from qualified candidates
• •Must have authorization t