KEY INFORMATION

Position Title: Partnership Lead

Engagement Type: Long-Term Personnel

Group / Workstream: Leadership Group

Reports To: Director, Policy Coherence and APS Partnerships

Location: Jakarta, Indonesia

Duration: 12 months, with possibility of extension

ABOUT PROSPERA

Prospera Phase 2 is Australia’s flagship economic development partnership with Indonesia, supporting the Government of Indonesia (GoI) to advance sustainable, inclusive and climate-resilient economic growth. Building on nearly three decades of cooperation, the program delivers high-quality, demand-driven policy advice, institutional strengthening and Australian Public Service (APS) partnerships aligned with Indonesia’s national priorities and Australia’s economic diplomacy objectives.

The program is structured around two mutually reinforcing End-of-Program Outcomes:

• strengthened macroeconomic, financial and public financial management systems that support sustainable, climate-resilient and inclusive growth; and

• expanded markets, jobs, trade and investment through improved economic policy and reform implementation.

Across both outcomes, Prospera Phase 2 emphasises politically informed and evidence-based reform, sustained institutional capability, and locally led solutions rather than short-term technical fixes. Gender equality, disability and social inclusion (GEDSI), sustainability, climate and energy transition considerations, and localisation are embedded across all areas of engagement.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Partnerships Lead builds and sustains Prospera's internal capability to manage partnerships effectively. The role does not own individual partnerships, which sit with DFAT and the relevant technical directorates. Instead, the Partnerships Lead ensures all teams have the frameworks, tools and guidance they need to manage their partnerships to a consistent standard, that these enable progressive learning and refinement, and that Prospera maintains a coherent, cross-program view of its partnership portfolio at all times and where this intersects with other DFAT-funded government-to-government (G2G) partnership programs.

The role is the custodian of Prospera's Australian Public Service (APS) Partnerships Framework and related operational instruments, coordinates program-wide partnership reporting and planning processes, and champions partnership ways of working across the organisation. It also facilitates and supports coordination with other relevant DFAT-funded programs and partners.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 

Frameworks, tools and standards

Develop, maintain and continuously improve Prospera's partnership frameworks, templates, tools and guidance, including the APS Partnerships Framework, partnership health check instruments and workplanning templates for APS agencies. Ensure tools are practical, proportionate and accessible to technical teams.

Internal coordination and capability

Act as the go-to resource across Prospera for partnership process guidance and quality assurance. Run regular cross-directorate coordination, identify coherence opportunities, surface issues early and support technical teams to apply partnership tools in their day-to-day work.

APS partnership structures and reporting

Coordinate Prospera's APS partnership reporting and planning processes, including preparation for regular APS gatherings, collation of partnership inputs to the annual work plan and maintenance of partnership health check records. Ensure reporting obligations under the APS Partnerships Framework are met across the program.

Portfolio visibility

Maintain a current, program-wide map of Prospera's partnership portfolio across APS agencies, Australian institutional partners and Indonesian policy actors. Provide program leadership with timely visibility of the partnership landscape, including health, gaps and emerging opportunities.

Support Prospera’s sustainability strategy by identifying and strengthening strategic partnerships with Indonesian economic think tanks, policy actors and other institutions that can advance evidence-informed, locally grounded reform dialogue.

Culture and advocacy

Champion partnership ways of working internally, fostering a culture of deliberate, high-quality engagement across Prospera's technical and operational teams.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS - INTERNAL

Operating as a senior coordinating link across on the partnership function, the role works closely with:

• Director, Policy Coherence and APS Partnerships, as the reporting line, providing right-hand support on partnership and coordination.
• Operations team, security / WHS functions, APS team, for coordinating across the wider program.
• Technical and pillar leads, supporting operational delivery, advice and problem-solving.
• Program Director and program executive and leadership, leading partnership planning and governance.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS - EXTERNAL
Representing the partnership function professionally and with sound judgement, the role engages with:

• DFAT and the Australian Embassy, Jakarta — leading the partnership function for Prospera.
• Government of Indonesia and regulatory bodies as needed and required, supporting the Director, Policy Coherence and APS Partnerships
• Partner organisations.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

Essential

• Master’s degree, with 10-15+ years of experience in related fields.
• Experience in leading coordination or enabling within a complex multi-stakeholder program, ideally in an international development or government context.
• Demonstrated experience to design and implement operational frameworks or tools that enable others to work more effectively.
• Understanding of APS agency operations and the Australia-Indonesia partnership landscape.
• Strong leadership and organisational coordination skills, with the ability to manage multiple workstreams across a large team.
• Effective communicator and relationship builder, able to influence without direct authority.
• Written communication skills in English to a high standard; Bahasa Indonesia proficiency is an advantage.
• Experience enhancing synergies and effectiveness across dual modality programs is an advantage.

Desirable

• Knowledge of Indonesia is an advantage.
• Some knowledge of Bahasa Indonesia and existing eligibility to live and work in Indonesia is an advantage.

SKILL & COMPETENCIES

The role requires the following skills and competencies:

• Partnership Strategy & Governance – Ability to develop, implement, and continuously improve partnership frameworks, standards, and governance arrangements.
• Leadership & Cross-functional Coordination – Proven ability to coordinate multidisciplinary teams, manage competing priorities, and drive collaboration across a complex program.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Relationship Management – Strong ability to build and maintain effective relationships with DFAT, APS agencies, Government of Indonesia counterparts, and partner organisations.
• Strategic Planning & Portfolio Management – Ability to oversee a diverse partnership portfolio, identify strategic opportunities, and support evidence-based decision-making.
• APS & DFAT Program Knowledge – Sound understanding of APS agencies, DFAT investment management, and Australia–Indonesia government-to-government (G2G) partnerships.
• Communication & Influencing – Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence and provide advice without direct authority.
• Capacity Building & Continuous Improvement – Ability to strengthen organisational capability through coaching, knowledge sharing, and continuous improvement of partnership practices.

LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY

Professional English is required. Bahasa Indonesia proficiency is an advantage.

 

WORKING CONDITIONS

The role is based in Jakarta, at Prospera office with visits to the Australian Embassy and the counterpart office. The role is primarily office-based. The work pattern is full-time, with flexibility to meet the demands of a senior leadership role and program deadlines.

 

PERFORMANCE & ACCOUNTABILITY

• Lead the effective implementation and continuous improvement of Prospera's partnership frameworks, systems, and operational standards.
• Ensure high-quality coordination, planning, reporting, and governance of the program's partnership portfolio.
• Provide strategic advice and support to technical teams to strengthen partnership effectiveness and cross-program coherence.
• Build and maintain productive relationships with DFAT, APS agencies, Government of Indonesia counterparts, and partner organisations.
• Deliver agreed work outputs and reporting requirements within agreed timeframes and quality standards.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement, and accountability across the partnership function.

CORE COMPETENCIES

This position is expected to demonstrate the following core competencies:

• Communicates clearly and effectively
• Works collaboratively with others
• Plans and organises work effectively
• Identifies and solves problems
• Demonstrates adaptability and flexibility

WAYS OF WORKING

Prospera Phase 2 operates in a transparent, accountable and collaborative manner. All team members are expected to share information early, manage risk proactively, and maintain clarity about decisions, roles and responsibilities. The program values respect, professionalism, integrity and a shared commitment to high-quality, timely delivery.

ETHICS AND COMPLIANCE

The postholder must uphold the highest standards of ethical conduct and comply with all DFAT policies, contractual obligations and Prospera operational requirements, including:

• DFAT Child Protection and Preventing Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH) policies;
• fraud, bribery and anti-corruption prevention requirements;
• the Program Code of Conduct;
• conflict-of-interest obligations; and
• privacy and confidentiality requirements.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

All intellectual property and materials developed in the course of this assignment remain the property of the Commonwealth of Australia (DFAT) and Prospera, in accordance with the program’s head contract and applicable DFAT policy.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Candidates are encouraged to apply by 31 July 2026/as soon as possible. 

For your application to be considered, please upload your documents as followed: Candidate Last Name, First Name, date, Title of the Position.

Cowater international strives to maintain a fair, transparent, and human centered recruitment process. As part of our commitment to responsible hiring practices and compliance with evolving recruitment regulations, we may use AI assisted tools to support limited aspects of our talent acquisition workflow, such as reviewing or shortlisting applications. These tools are used only to enhance efficiency and consistency in our processes. All assessments, interviews, and final hiring decisions are made exclusively by our human recruiting managers. Candidates may request additional information about the use of these tools or reasonable accommodations during the recruitment process.

Cowater International is an equal opportunity employer, basing employment on merit and qualifications as they relate to professional experience and position expectations. Cowater does not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, religion, sex, gender identity, disability, age, or any other basis protected by law.

We thank all applicants, however only those shortlisted will be contacted.

ABOUT US

Founded in 1985, Cowater International is a leading global development consulting company. Headquartered in Ottawa and with corporate hubs in Auckland, Berlin, Brussels, Helsinki, London, Madrid, Manila, Nairobi, Singapore and Stockholm, Cowater International has successfully delivered a portfolio of over 2500 projects and assignments in more than 95 countries. We work with governments, private sector actors and communities implementing projects that support socio-economic development, institutional strengthening, environmental improvements and advance equal opportunities for all. We are a diverse and experienced team committed to building a better tomorrow for the people we serve. Our adaptive approach to management has led to our yearly award-winning work and recognition as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies since 2017.

We thank you for your interest in building a better tomorrow.