Intern for Sustainable Urban Finance (Jakarta Based)

Job Description

Program Overview

WRI Deep Dive program, which fosters long-term, scaled-up strategic engagement with over 32 cities globally, including 14 cities that have maintained sustained involvement across multiple program cycles. The initiative focuses on locally driven strategic projects that serve as entry points for fostering long-term, cross-sectoral, and transformative urban change within countries. Through multi-year engagement, cross-sectoral technical expertise, and trusted partnerships—exemplified by cities like Bangalore, Bogotá, and İstanbul—the Deep Dive Cities Initiative supports sustainable urban development and systemic change.

Jakarta faces a unique urban paradox: while its population density is among the highest in the world, its structural density remains low, with a strong cultural and market preference for landed housing. Vertical housing options are still limited and often socially exclusive, contributing to unchecked horizontal sprawl into informal peri-urban areas. This pattern has led to the proliferation of poorly structured “kampung” settlements, which are highly vulnerable to social, economic, and environmental risks—including limited access to services, economic inefficiency, public health concerns, land subsidence, frequent flooding, and fire hazards. To address these challenges, a scalable Vertical Land Consolidation (VLC) strategy tailored to neighborhood parcel sizes and socio-economic conditions is urgently needed. By identifying high-priority areas and integrating spatial, social, and environmental data, VLC offers a strategic approach to optimize land use, enhance livability, and support evidence-based urban planning in Jakarta.

General Internship Role

Sustainable Urban Finance Intern will have the opportunity to contribute to the development of financing strategies and tailored business models for an innovative Vertical Land Consolidation (VLC) scheme. This internship offers a hands-on learning experience through collaboration with policy, urban planning, and finance teams to assess the financial viability of housing and land development projects targeting income deciles 2–4 and 5–8. The Intern will be actively involved in developing financial models—including Business Model Canvases—conducting Net Present Value (NPV) and Internal Rate of Return (IRR) analyses, comparing different financing schemes, and supporting the design of business models that balance affordability, risk, and long-term financial sustainability.

Based in Jakarta with office-flex working arrangement, the intern will report directly to Urban Mobility Engagement Specialist. 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 Learn

• Learn to design and populate a Business Model Canvas tailored to specific urban housing schemes.
• Build skills in financial modeling and cash flow analysis for long-term infrastructure projects, including CAPEX, OPEX, and revenue forecasting.
• Analyze financing landscape and strategies in affordable housing sector for low- to middle-income populations in emerging markets
• Apply financial modelling tools in real-world scenarios.
• Enhance analytical and research skills by learning techniques for collecting, managing, and analysing data related to urban development and finances, and how it can contribute to informed decision-maker
• Developing communications and interpersonal skills by creating impactful materials for engagement and collaborative activities.

What You Will Need

• Enrolled in bachelor’s or master’s degree from relevant field such as Finance, Business, Economics, Urban Planning, Development Studies, or a related field.
• Basic to intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Excel, especially in financial functions and modeling.
• Understanding discounted cash flow analysis,NPV, and IRR calculations.
• Ability to interpret and organize CAPEX, OPEX, and revenue inputs for long-term projections.
• Familiarity with sustainable development or housing policy is a plus.
• Basic experience and/or familiarity in research methodology, business model, and literature review.
• Business proficiency in English and Bahasa Indonesia both verbal and written.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to think creatively in identifying opportunities to finance housing in Indonesia.
• Highly motivated, target-oriented, strong can-do attitude, proactive work style, excellent organizational skills, and able to work independently and as a team player;
• Legally able to enroll on an internship program in Indonesia

Duration

The internship program is expected to start immediately for a 3-months contract period.

Internship Terms

Full-time, Paid internship

What we offer

• Internship standard wages
• Travel insurance for both domestic and international for any travel duty as assigned by WRI Indonesia
• Access to the WRI global network
• A workplace that strives to put diversity and inclusion at the heart of our work

Must have authorization to work in Indonesia to be eligible for this position.

Final candidates might be required to take a writing test and to produce two writing samples when needed.

How to apply: In order to be formally considered, please submit an updated resume and cover letter through WRI career portal.

Application close: 1700 (DKI Jakarta local time), 4 July 2025. We will close the advert earlier when the best candidates are identified at earlier dates.

This is a locally engaged position; Indonesian nationals are encouraged to apply.