Application Guide

How to Apply for Sourcing & Feasibility Lead, Indonesia

at Terraformation

🏢 About Terraformation

Terraformation stands out by focusing exclusively on scalable native forest restoration as a climate solution, combining carbon finance with ecological integrity. Unlike many climate tech companies, they prioritize local ecosystem restoration over monoculture plantations, offering a unique mission-driven environment where technical forestry meets innovative financing.

About This Role

This role serves as Terraformation's boots-on-the-ground expert in Indonesia, responsible for identifying viable forest-carbon projects and guiding them through early feasibility assessments. You'll directly impact the company's pipeline by evaluating which restoration projects can scale effectively while navigating Indonesia's complex regulatory environment for carbon credits and land rights.

💡 A Day in the Life

You might start your day reviewing field assessment data from a potential project site in Kalimantan, then spend the morning coordinating with the consortium lead on partner progress tracking. In the afternoon, you could be meeting with provincial forestry officials to understand local permitting requirements, followed by evaluating a new partner organization's capacity against Terraformation's technical criteria for native species restoration.

🎯 Who Terraformation Is Looking For

  • Has 8+ years specifically managing forestry or climate projects in Indonesia, with demonstrated experience navigating relationships with Indonesian ministries like KLHK (Ministry of Environment and Forestry) and local governments
  • Can point to specific examples of taking early-stage forest-carbon projects from identification through feasibility assessment, not just general project management
  • Has existing networks with potential project partners in Indonesia's restoration sector (NGOs, community groups, private landowners) and understands the practical challenges of land rights acquisition
  • Demonstrates fluency in both technical feasibility assessment processes and government engagement strategies specific to Indonesia's evolving carbon policy landscape

📝 Tips for Applying to Terraformation

1

Quantify your experience with Indonesian forest-carbon projects: instead of 'managed partnerships,' specify 'negotiated 3 MOUs with provincial governments for 50,000+ hectare restoration projects'

2

Highlight specific knowledge of Indonesia's FOLU Net Sink 2030 policy, carbon trading regulations (Perdirjen PPI No. 7/2023), or experience with specific ministries like KLHK or Bappenas

3

Demonstrate understanding of Terraformation's specific approach by referencing their Seed to Carbon Forest Accelerator or their emphasis on native species restoration over monocultures

4

Include Indonesian language proficiency level and regional experience (e.g., '5 years working in Kalimantan restoration projects')

5

Show how you've previously balanced technical feasibility assessments with stakeholder management by describing a specific project where you simultaneously conducted site assessments while engaging local communities

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Your specific experience navigating Indonesia's forest-carbon regulatory approvals and land rights processes with concrete examples", "How your existing partner network in Indonesia aligns with Terraformation's sourcing strategy for native forest restoration projects", 'Your approach to balancing technical feasibility rigor with the practical realities of working with diverse stakeholders (government, communities, technical partners)', "Why Terraformation's specific mission of scaling native forest restoration (not just any carbon projects) resonates with your professional experience"]

Generate Cover Letter →

🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • Terraformation's specific projects in other regions (like their work in Hawaii or Lebanon) to understand their operational model and technical approach
  • Indonesia's updated NDC targets and FOLU Net Sink 2030 operational plan to speak knowledgeably about the national context
  • Terraformation's Seed to Carbon Forest Accelerator program structure and how this role would feed into it
  • Recent Indonesian regulations on carbon trading (especially for forestry) and key ministry structures you'd be engaging with

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Walk us through how you would assess the feasibility of a potential 10,000-hectare degraded forest site in Sumatra, including key technical, regulatory, and community considerations
2 Describe your experience engaging with specific Indonesian government agencies on forest-carbon projects and how you've navigated bureaucratic challenges
3 How would you identify and evaluate potential project partners in Indonesia who align with Terraformation's native ecosystem restoration approach?
4 Tell us about a time you managed conflicting priorities between technical feasibility requirements and partner expectations in early-stage project development
5 What do you see as the biggest challenges for scaling forest-carbon projects in Indonesia specifically, and how would you address them in this role?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Generic climate change passion without specific Indonesian forestry/carbon experience - they need someone who can operate effectively in Indonesia's specific context immediately
  • Treating this as a generic project management role rather than a specialized feasibility and sourcing position requiring deep country expertise
  • Focusing only on technical assessment skills without demonstrating government relations experience specific to Indonesia's forest-carbon policy landscape

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Terraformation!