POSITION INFORMATION

Position                                           : Program Officer

Unit Name                                      : Environmental Governance

Location                                          : Jakarta

Job Type & duration of Contract :

Full-time staff, initial contract for a year with potential extension

Closing Date                                   : July 25, 2025

PROGRAM BACKGROUND

The Asia Foundation, supported by a diverse range of government and philanthropic donors, manages innovative programs to promote environmental governance (mostly in the land use and forestry sectors) and contribute meaningfully to global climate resilience efforts.

Key areas of work include:

• Strengthening governance frameworks through partnership with civil society organizations (CSOs),
• Advancing regulatory reforms (including budgetary reform) in land-based and forestry management and other environmental governance and climate-related areas.
• Enhancing transparency, accountability, and good governance in spatial planning and land use,
• Promoting the strategic use of legal and justice sector instruments to improve land, forest, and natural resource management,
• Empowering women, youth, and indigenous communities to manage land and forest rights sustainably, promoting climate awareness, and actively engaging in restoration and rehabilitation initiatives.
• Programs are implemented across multiple provinces in Indonesia,
• Building engagements with national and sub-national government stakeholders, donor communities, and civil society organizations.
• Led program/business development of the environment and climate resilience sectors and report writing to donors and government stakeholders.

SUMMARY OF JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Based in Jakarta, the Program Officer provides direct management and implementation of four components of the program – improving forest and land governance, green financing for environmental protection, strengthening law enforcement, and natural asset restoration and rehabilitation. S/he is responsible for the day-to-day management of partner programs within these four components, in close cooperation with the other Program Officers within the unit, Program Assistants, and the Program Director and Deputy Program Director of the Environmental Governance unit. S/he is responsible for program development and conceptualization, implementation, and reporting, and will contribute to monitoring and evaluation in cooperation with the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer.

RELATIONSHIP

Internal Relationship

• Regular contact and communication with all Environmental and Governance team members and TAF’s Jakarta staff.
• Maintain and develop communication and coordination.
• Support Environmental Governance Unit, Program Director, and Deputy Program Director
• Contact with other program and theme staff in the Foundation’s offices in the US and Asia as requested by the Program Director or the Deputy Program Director.

External Relationship

• Develop and maintain contacts with other local and international NGOs working on Environmental Governance issues in Indonesia, ensure coordination, and raise the profile of the Foundation’s research activities.
• Maintain and develop relationships with existing donors and funding agencies.
• Develop working relationships with government agencies at the national and local levels. Assist in developing and maintaining good public relations, especially with senior government officers.
• Represent the Asia Foundation at conferences, events, and donor coordination meetings as required. Public speaking and contributing to publications on our work may be required.

REPORT TO:

Program Director & Deputy Program Director of Environmental Governance Unit and Coordinate with Other POs, MELO, MELA, Grants & Contract unit, and Finance unit

JOB FUNCTIONS

Program Development and Administration

• Contributing to day-to-day management of the Foundation’s Environmental Governance program –including liaising and providing input to partners, developing themes for new programs, monitoring program implementation, reviewing all modules, books, or other items for publication, providing technical assistance where necessary by serving as a facilitator, speaker, editor and such, for partner programs and products, and, along with the Program Director and Deputy Program Director, representing the programs to donors.
• Work with existing and prospective grantees to develop program activities; determine project feasibility; monitor and facilitate programs; obtain timely and useful reports; critically evaluate outcomes; review incoming proposals, manage proposal tracking system, and work with local organizations to refine proposals and program designs.
• Prepare proposal review forms, letters of agreement, and budgets, and manage the process of developing a program from proposal to issuance of Letter of Grant (LG) to monitoring and reporting on the program to donors.
• Design and implement Environmental Governance program work plans and contribute to the development and implementation of Monitoring and Evaluation measures.
• Provide technical assistance as needed to local partners to develop work plans and M&E measures.
• If any, contribute to the design and implementation of the research component of the program, including selection of topics for research, design of key studies, technical support and training to research partners, supervision of research activities, analytical and write-up phases, and dissemination activities.
• Actively utilize the research outputs to improve program implementation, both within the Foundation and with program partners at the national and local levels.
• Prepare, along with other Environmental Governance team members, donor reports.
• Coordinate with other units as needed to facilitate cross-fertilization and internal networking.
• Provide annual and semi-report highlights and other information on Foundation programs.
• Assist the Program Director and Deputy Program Director in managing all aspects of funding source financial management.
• Assist the Program Director and Deputy Program Director in managing the annual program budget, spending processes, and internal grant administration.

General

• As a key member of the program staff, participate in team meetings to contribute to ongoing program planning, problem-solving, and knowledge sharing.
• Contribute to the dissemination of program activities and research results.
• Assist Program Director and Deputy Program Director in monitoring important social, political, and economic developments in-country.
• Understand and comply with requirements placed on the Foundation by our donors.
• Other relevant tasks as required.

REQUIREMENT

Education

Advanced degree in environmental sciences, forestry, public policy, social sciences (e.g., international relations, political science, gender, sociology), development studies, law, or other relevant subjects.

Experience

• Minimum of eight years’ work experience designing and implementing international development programs, with a strong background or specialization in governance and/or environmental issues.
• Experience in managing Environmental Governance issues and applying a thinking and working politically approach.
• Experience in project management and strategic grantmaking.
• Experience in developing and conducting training programs or capacity-building programs.
• Knowledge of and experience with the Indonesian government system and agencies.
• Understanding of international or government funding agencies.
• Knowledge of Environmental Governance issues at the local context and national level in Indonesia
• Strong knowledge and experience in nature-based solutions and blended finance for climate mitigation and adaptation, forestry, spatial planning, as well as GEDSI mainstreaming.
• Has good experience in working with Indonesia’s CSO and building their capacity in the Environmental Governance sector.
• Preferably has experience in engaging with various stakeholders

Other

• Interest in the political-economy dimensions of Environmental Governance in Indonesia.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in both English and Bahasa Indonesia.
• Strong written and analytical skills.
• Competency with standard word processing and spreadsheet programs.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to maintain good relations with NGOs, government, donors, and colleagues.
• Professional organizational abilities.
• Good public speaking.
• Willingness to travel to remote regions across Indonesia.

HOW TO APPLY

Applicants should submit their application and CV through the electronic form provided at https://forms.office.com/r/LXxs0V4yAj by July 25, 2025, at 5:00 PM Jakarta time. Please ensure that all required fields are completed accurately.

Important: The Asia Foundation does not require any payment or request sensitive personal information during the recruitment process. Please ensure that the form you complete is accessed from a credible source, such as The Asia Foundation’s official website or Devjobsindo.org. Beware of fraudulent job offers claiming to be from The Asia Foundation. If you encounter any issues or have questions, please contact us at id.hr@asiafoundation.org..

THE ASIA FOUNDATION IS COMMITTED TO CREATING A DIVERSE AND INCLUSIVE WORK ENVIRONMENT AND ENCOURAGES QUALIFIED CANDIDATES FROM ALL BACKGROUNDS, INCLUDING WOMEN, INDIGENOUS PEOPLES, AND MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES, TO APPLY. IF YOU ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT ADVANCING ENVIRONMENTAL GOVERNANCE, CLIMATE ACTIONS, AND INCLUSIVE DEVELOPMENT AND MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OUTLINED ABOVE,

ONLY SHORTLISTED CANDIDATES WILL BE CONTACTED FOR FURTHER ASSESSMENT.