Background

The DFAT-funded Knowledge Partnership Programme (KONEKSI) is Australia’s flagship program in the Indonesian knowledge and innovation sector. KONEKSI aims to achieve an enduring relationship between Indonesia and Australia that advances mutual interests and supports Indonesia’s inclusive and sustainable development. The purpose of the program is to increase the use of knowledge-based solutions for inclusive and sustainable policies and technologies. This purpose positions KONEKSI as a vehicle to produce knowledge on complex socio-economic problems, where effective solutions are often beyond a unique sector or category of stakeholders. It will support both the knowledge-to-policy cycle (K2P) and the knowledge-to-innovation cycle (K2I), in a complementary and synergistic way. KONEKSI will focus on two End-of-Investment Outcomes (EOIOs): 

1. Australian and Indonesian organisations have increased collaboration and mutual understanding through knowledge partnerships; and 
2. Innovative solutions for inclusive and sustainable policies and technologies are generated by knowledge partnerships. 

About the Guideline for Inclusive Research 

Since 2024, KONEKSI has supported the Disability Network, which aims to advance disability rights by removing barriers for persons with disabilities to participate in and lead research and to promote best practices in mainstreaming disability inclusion in research. The Disability Network members include researchers with disabilities, support persons, caregivers, and/or other individuals with the same concern. 

Researchers with disabilities are often only involved in projects specifically about disabilities. In addition, there is a tendency to generalise, which overlooks the diverse experiences and cultural backgrounds of people with disabilities. Researchers with disabilities often find themselves limited to roles like data collectors or respondents. They rarely engage in the planning, data analysis, or report writing stages. Also, participation in decision-making processes due to the unequal power dynamics between researchers without disabilities and those with disabilities. Accessibility and reasonable accommodation are not included in research design and planning, which limits access for persons with disabilities to lead the research. Geographical location and experiences in research may lead to the additional exclusion of researchers with disabilities.

Additionally, this support will help universities and research organisations adopt more inclusive research practices. To support this effort, KONEKSI, with assistance from CBM, developed the Guideline for Inclusive Research in collaboration with people with disabilities from diverse backgrounds across Indonesia. In June 2026, CBM developed a pilot version of the Guideline for Inclusive Research. 

Following this process, KONEKSI will lead the finalisation of the Guidance, ensuring it is ready to be shared with KONEKSI Knowledge Partners (grantees and networks) and the Government of Indonesia. To support this work, KONEKSI is seeking consultants with expertise in inclusive research and GEDSI to collaboratively work with the Task Force to review stakeholder feedback, strengthen the content, and finalise the Guidance for publication and implementation. 

The Task Force will be formed by KONEKSI and will consist of 5-7 people representing Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs), KONEKSI Knowledge Partners with experience researching with and/or for people with disabilities, the Government of Indonesia (BRIN, MoHEST, and Bappenas), and the National Disability Commission (Komisi Nasional Disabilitas/KND). 

Summary of the position 

The consultants will lead and work collaboratively with the Task Force to review and refine the Inclusive Research Guidance to ensure it is practical, evidence-informed, user-friendly, and aligned with good practices in gender equality, disability inclusion, and social inclusion, while incorporating stakeholder feedback and organizational priorities.

During this process, the consultants will facilitate workshops to support the finalisation of the Guidance, gather feedback from the Task Force and other relevant stakeholders, and integrate the feedback into the final version of the Inclusive Research Guidance. The consultants will also ensure that the Guidance is coherent, practical, and aligned with inclusive research principles and best practices

Key Responsibilities 

1. Review the Pilot Version 1 of the Guidance for Inclusive Research and related background documents. 
2. Facilitate the workshops on the Pilot Version for the Task Force, as well as the Technical Validation Workshop with the Task Force
3. In collaboration with the Task Force, refine and strengthen the guidance, including tools, checklists, and providing practical examples.
4. Ensure the guidance is accessible, inclusive, and applicable across different research contexts.
5. Develop a final version of the guidance, incorporating feedback from stakeholders and the commissioning organization.
6. Provide a summary of key revisions and recommendations for implementation.

Expected Deliverables

1. Inception note/workplan.
2. Summary of review findings and recommended revisions.
3. Final version of Inclusive Research Guidance in Bahasa Indonesia and English
4. Brief implementation recommendations and presentation of key changes (if needed)

Education

Advanced degree in social sciences, development studies, public health, international development, gender studies, disability studies, or a related field. 

Minimum Experiences

• Minimum of 5 or more years of experience in research, inclusive research, GEDSI, disability inclusion, participatory approaches, or related fields.
• Demonstrated experience developing or reviewing research guidelines, toolkits, frameworks, or methodologies.
• Strong understanding of ethical and inclusive research practices.
• Experience facilitating multi-stakeholder consultations and incorporating diverse perspectives.
• Excellent analytical, writing, and editing skills in Bahasa Indonesia and English.
• Experience working with NGOs, development agencies, research institutions, or donor-funded programs is desirable.

Essential Skills and Competencies

• Well-respected in academia, research, or the knowledge sector, with a strong understanding of Indonesia's research community and knowledge production processes.
• Strong commitment to Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI), and sufficient knowledge of accessibility and inclusion principles. 
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills to review existing content, synthesize feedback, identify gaps, and provide practical recommendations.
• Collaborative and team-oriented approach, with the ability to facilitate meetings and work effectively with researchers, government partners, civil society organisations, and community networks. 
• Ability to integrate diverse perspectives and feedback into coherent and practical guidance documents.
• Excellent writing, editing, and communication skills in English, with the ability to produce clear, concise, and user-friendly guidance materials

Language proficiency: 

Fluency in English and Bahasa Indonesia 

APPLICATION PROCESS 

Applications can be sent to KONEKSI via: 

https://bit.ly/KONEKSIJobs  no later than 7 October 2026 COB (05.00 PM, Western Indonesia Time)

KONEKSI encourages persons with disabilities, particularly women and/or those from Eastern Indonesia, to apply. 

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.

 
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