2026 Environment and Policy Internships (EPIC): Indonesia Ocean Justice Initiative (IOJI)
Job Title: Indonesia Ocean Justice Initiative Intern
Department/Team: Indonesia Ocean Justice Initiative (IOJI) with support provided by the Stanford Center for Ocean Solutions (COS)
Location: The position will be based in Jakarta, Indonesia for the 10-week internship. While in Jakarta, the student intern will be based at the IOJI main office (map link).
Duration: 40 hours per week for ten weeks over the summer
Reports to: The direct IOJI supervisor will be the Program Director for Sustainable and Equitable Ocean Justice, Stephanie Juwana, under the guidance of the Chief Executive Officer of IOJI. Depending on the project, other IOJI staff may serve in a mentorship capacity. Preceding the time in Jakarta, mentorship will be provided by Eric Hartge (COS Research Development Manager) under the guidance of the COS Co-Directors, Fio Micheli and Jim Leape. Depending on the specific applied research, other COS research staff may serve in a mentorship capacity.
Areas of Interest: Fisheries Management, Justice and Equity Considerations in Labor, Natural Resource Economics, Fisheries Supply Chains, Mangrove Ecology, Labor Rights, Food Systems
About the Indonesia Ocean Justice Initiative:
Indonesia Ocean Justice Initiative (IOJI) is a think tank and policy advocacy group dedicated to promoting sound, sustainable, and equitable ocean governance. IOJI collaborates with a range of stakeholders in Indonesia—a vast ocean nation rich in marine and fisheries resources, as well as vital ecosystem services that support many coastal communities—by influencing policy and advocating for ocean sustainability and justice.
Mission:
- Support state institutions of Indonesia in mainstreaming, implementing, and enforcing sustainable and equitable ocean governance
- Advocate for sustainable and equitable ocean policies at the local, national, regional, and international levels
- Strengthen the network with government, academia, and civil societies to influence decision-making process to attain sound, sustainable, and equitable ocean governance
- Empower small-scale fishers, marginalized coastal dependent people, and fisheries worker in defending and striving for their basic human rights
- Nurture the leadership skills of IOJI personnel to create meaningful impacts and contributions towards sustainable and equitable ocean governance
Vision: To pursue ocean justice where equitable and sustainable ocean governance prevails to safeguard the oceans for present and future generations
The Stanford Center for Ocean Solutions (COS) catalyzes research, innovation, and action to improve the health of the oceans for the people who depend on them the most. A part of the Woods Institute for the Environment at the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability, COS capitalizes on Stanford’s broad expertise in ocean science and in the many other disciplines crucial to developing ocean solutions including engineering, computer science, political science, design, and business. Our core team of researchers and fellows partner with other research institutions, national and international non-governmental organizations, businesses and governments, as well as established and emerging leaders in the data revolution.
In advance of departing for Jakarta, the student intern will meet with COS staff to gain insights into the background of Indonesia’s history in ocean resource management as well as the details of Stanford’s engagements with local partners in the region.
About the Team:
IOJI team members include folks from the Senior Management Team, Program Team, and Operational Team. The Senior Management Team consists of the Chief Executive Officer, currently seated by Dr. Mas Achmad Santosa—an environmental law expert and co-founder of IOJI, Chief Operating Officer (Januar Dwi Putra), Program Director for Maritime Security and Access to Justice (Andreas Aditya Salim), and Program Director for Sustainable and Equitable Ocean Governance (Stephanie Juwana).
The Program Team is coordinated by the Program Directors respectively, led by Program Managers, and supported by Program Officers, while the Operational Team is coordinated by the Chief Operating Officer, and led by Finance Manager, Human Resources and General Affairs (HR & GA) Manager, and Communications Manager, supported by Officers.
In pursuing its vision and mission, IOJI takes the following pathways:
- Producing knowledge and providing policy recommendations
- Advocating for ecologically sustainable and equitable ocean policies through collaborations with state institutions and international organizations
- Ensuring access to justice for ocean dependent people and nature
- Working with like-minded academia, trade unions, and civil society organizations to design a coherent ocean policy reform agenda
- Utilizing strategic public outreach and media collaboration to raise public awareness to promote principles of strong sustainability and ecological justice
The student intern will work closely with the Program Team on IOJI’s pathway-related works and report to the Program Director(s).
Position Description/Scope of Work:
The student intern will conduct direct, applied research and analysis with IOJI researchers and managers. The topic(s) of interest will be co-determined between IOJI staff and the student intern to ensure alignment towards a shared objective. In advance of the internship, COS staff will support the student in the background context regarding ocean resource management in Indonesia as well as the implications of the engagement. While in Jakarta, IOJI staff will supervise and mentor the intern through direct oversight and engagement with relevant partners in the community.
The priority programs for 2026 include:
- Law enforcement for mangrove-related cases (which includes a series of training for prosecutors and investigators);
- Developing policy frameworks related to safeguarding instruments for carbon pricing;
- Improving policies concerning the empowerment of small-scale fishers around transparency and public participation access in Central Java Province and the national level;
- Providing regular detection of maritime security threats in Indonesian EEZ and assisting the government with the necessary responses;
- Improving policies to provide safe migration corridors for Indonesian migrant fishers.
List of Potential Activities:
- Desk research, includes a comparative study of practices in other countries;
- Field visits to meet with local communities and the local government;
- Developing English policy briefs, press releases, and other documents for publications;
- Involvement in events held by IOJI, including but not limited to seminars and trainings.
Desired Skills/Qualifications:
- Detail-oriented work methods
- Familiarity with resource management approaches and relevance of justice and equality considerations
- Experience conducting primary or secondary research and synthesis of findings for policy or management relevance
- Strong communication and technology skills (e.g., Microsoft suite, Google suite); additional preference for data analytics experience (e.g., R, Python, GIS)
- Ability to work independently, while also knowing when to seek guidance from colleagues
- Experience working with communities outside of the U.S.; particularly with island or coastal communities
- Demonstrated enthusiasm for learning foreign cultures and languages, particularly Bahasa Indonesia
- Enthusiasm about unpacking complex, multi-dimensional problems
Logistics:
- The stipend amount is $8,000-$9,500 for the 10-week internship, depending on level of financial need, to be determined by the Office of Financial Aid.
- The duration of the internship is 10 weeks, to be conducted between the time period starting June 15, 2026 and ending September 11, 2026 (13-week window). The preferred start date is June 15 or 22, 2026.
- The internship will be hosted at the IOJI main office in Jakarta, Indonesia (map link).
- Travel expenses to Jakarta will be covered by the student using stipend funds. Approximate round trip travel expenses from SFO to CGK (Jakarta Airport) are in the range of $800 to $1,500.
- Lodging expenses will be covered by the student. Logistical support for lodging options can be provided by IOJI based on previous student experiences.
2025 Stanford EPIC Fellow: Ben Jonker
Eligibility:
Stanford undergraduates from all academic disciplines are encouraged to apply, and applicants may vary in academic interests, public service involvement, and experience. Learn more about our previous EPIC cohorts! Students must be enrolled for winter and spring quarters of this year and be in good academic standing to be eligible for a fellowship. Students may not be serving a suspension and may not be on a Leave of Absence (LOA).
Freshman, Sophomores, Juniors, and Co-terms are eligible; Graduating seniors cannot apply for the February deadline, and are ineligible for additional financial aid beyond the base stipend. Graduating seniors may apply if there is a Round 2 deadline in the spring quarter. All students, including co-term students, must be in the undergraduate billing group in spring quarter (this is important!). Student athletes should confirm the impact of any awarded stipend on their athletic eligibility by contacting the Compliance Services Office prior to submitting their application. Please refer to the Haas Center for Public Service's website for additional Cardinal Quarter Undergraduate Fellowship Program Policies and Requirements.
Note: students are only eligible for one Stanford-funded full-time experiential learning opportunity during the summer, and are not permitted to engage in another full-time internship, job, coursework, or volunteer opportunity. Students are responsible for arranging and paying for their own housing and transportation during the fellowship.
Requirements:
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Spring Quarter:
- Commit to working full-time (35-40 hours week) for 10 consecutive weeks
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Complete an online program orientation through the Haas Center for Public Service
- This will include designing a personal learning plan that you will share with your site supervisor and academic mentor
- Complete the Engaging in Ethical and Effective Service in-person workshop or worksheet
- If you are working internationally, complete the International Academy Canvas course, and participate in pre-departure orientation with Stanford Global Risk
- Meet with your assigned Stanford academic mentor at least once prior to the start of the fellowship (more check-ins during and after your experience are encouraged)
- Attend EPIC cohort building events and activities in spring quarter, as your schedule allows
- Complete and submit all required forms and paperwork
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Summer Quarter:
- Engage in your full-time fellowship (starting no later than July 6, 2026; exact start date to be determined with your site supervisor)
- Attend EPIC cohort building events and activities in the summer, as your schedule allows
- Submit a mid-summer evaluation
- Submit a final project report, complete a program evaluation, and correspond with donor(s) as requested by program staff
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Fall Quarter:
- Debrief with your academic mentor at least once
- Attend a de-briefing meeting for the purpose of reflecting upon and evaluating summer experiences
- Participate in outreach activities to share your experiences and help publicize the program
*Failure to complete any of the requirements may result in the student's stipend being rescinded in part or in full.
Fundamental Standard:
Violations of Undergraduate Fellowships program policies are violations of the Fundamental Standard and may be referred to the Office of Community Standards. Students who fail to abide by the policies set forth by the Undergraduate Fellowships Program, the Haas Center for Public Service, and Stanford University will have low/no priority for future Haas Center funding opportunities and programs. The Haas Center reserves the right to rescind funding at any given point and time should they be apprised of any policy violations as outlined above.
More information about this fellowship opportunity is available through Cardinal Quarter. This program is one of more than 500 Cardinal Quarter opportunities through which Stanford students pursue a full-time summer or quarter-long public service experience with Stanford support. Check out Stanford University's Cardinal Service site.
