Background of the Program

The DFAT-funded Knowledge Partnership Programme (KONEKSI) is Australia’s flagship program in the Indonesia knowledge and innovation sector. KONEKSI’s goal is to achieve an enduring relationship between Indonesia and Australia that advances mutual interest 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.

SUMMARY OF THE POSITION 

The Communications Manager will be responsible for managing and coordinating the implementation of KONEKSI's communications strategy to strengthen the visibility, utilisation, and impact of KONEKSI-supported research and innovation. The role will provide strategic communications support to program partners, the KONEKSI Team, and DFAT, while proactively building and maintaining relationships with communications units across relevant government institutions, universities, industry, media, and partner organisations to identify opportunities for joint communications and amplify the reach and impact of KONEKSI-supported research and innovation through aligned initiatives and shared priorities.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Function (Internal and External elements)

• Support the Head of SCPD in the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of the program Communications Strategy, Communications Plan, and branding

• Provide high-level strategic communications advice to the KONEKSI Leadership Team, program partners, and DFAT.

• Build and maintain strategic working relationships with communications and public relations units across relevant Government of Indonesia institutions, the Australian Embassy's Public Diplomacy team, partner organisations, universities, industry, media, and other strategic stakeholders to identify and deliver joint communications opportunities that strengthen the visibility, utilisation, and impact of KONEKSI-supported research and innovation.

• Proactively identify strategic communications opportunities to promote KONEKSI-supported research, innovation, knowledge sharing, and thought leadership.

• Identify and pursue strategic communications partnerships and co-branding opportunities that enhance research uptake, policy engagement, and innovation adoption.

• Ensure communications activities support KONEKSI's objectives for research uptake, ecosystem collaboration, and evidence-informed public discourse

   

Operations Function (Internal and External elements)

• Manage the development and production of high-quality communications products by preparing Terms of Reference (ToRs), overseeing consultants and service providers, and ensuring outputs meet DFAT and KONEKSI standards across print, digital, multimedia, and other communications channels.

• Manage KONEKSI's website and social media platforms as key communications and knowledge-sharing channels, ensuring content is timely, accurate, engaging, and aligned with the program's communications objectives. Coordinate website development and digital communications activities with external service providers, as required.

• Develop and coordinate integrated communications campaigns that promote KONEKSI-supported research, innovation, and collaboration across priority sectors.

• Coordinate and support joint communications initiatives with partner organisations and communications units to maximise the reach, relevance, and impact of KONEKSI's communications.

• Support the planning and implementation of strategic communications for policy dialogues, knowledge-sharing activities, networking events, conferences, and other engagement initiatives that promote KONEKSI-supported research and innovation.

• Contribute to the development of Annual Work Plans and Program Progress Reports by identifying communications priorities, lessons learned, best practices, and opportunities for partner capacity strengthening.

• Monitor the implementation of the communications work plan and budget, ensuring the timely delivery of communications activities, effective utilisation of approved budget allocations, and regular reporting on budget expenditure, commitments, and forecasts to the Head of SCPD.

• Develop and maintain relationships with journalists, editors, media organisations, and digital media platforms to strengthen media engagement and promote evidence-based reporting on KONEKSI-supported initiatives.

• Provide strategic support to strengthen KONEKSI's internal communications through Microsoft Teams and other internal communications channels.

• Manage Communications staff to ensure the delivery of high-quality communications products and services.

• Prepare quality ToRs to engage high-calibre consultants related to communications, media, digital communications, website development, and other specialist services, and effectively manage those contracts.

• Manage media monitoring services to ensure they meet KONEKSI's needs, monitor communications performance, and provide relevant media analysis and insights to the Leadership Team, DFAT, and other stakeholders, as required.

• Anticipate and respond proactively to emerging communications needs and opportunities as they arise

Partners Engagement Function

• Provide strategic communications advice and support to partners in implementing annual work plans, with the aim of strengthening the quality, consistency, and effectiveness of partner communications, products, and engagement activities.

• Work with program partners to identify appropriate communications channels, platforms, and opportunities to strengthen collaboration, knowledge sharing, and the visibility of KONEKSI-supported research and innovation.

• Leverage relationships with communications units across government institutions, universities, industry, media, and partner organisations to identify and coordinate joint communications initiatives that advance shared priorities.

• Facilitate and coordinate joint communications initiatives with partner organisations where communications objectives and strategic priorities align.

• In coordination with the KONEKSI Leadership Team, identify opportunities to strengthen partners' communications capacity through training, mentoring, knowledge sharing, and other capacity development initiatives.

• Provide strategic advice to partners on planning and implementing communications activities to maximise the visibility, reach, and impact of KONEKSI-supported initiatives

Qualifications

Education:

• Master's degree in strategic communications, communications, public relations, journalism, international relations, or another relevant discipline;

• A bachelor's degree with substantial relevant professional experience may be considered in lieu of a master's degree

Experience:

• At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in strategic communications, public relations, media relations, stakeholder engagement, or a related field.

• Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing communications strategies, managing multi-channel communications, and leading integrated communications campaigns.

• Demonstrated experience building and maintaining strategic relationships with communications units, media organisations, government institutions, universities, private sector organisations, or development partners.

• Experience managing communications for donor-funded programs, government agencies, international organisations, or the development sector is highly desirable.

• Experience in research communications, knowledge translation, policy communications, innovation communications, or related fields is highly desirable.

• Experience supervising staff, consultants, or communications vendors.

Essential Skills:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and Bahasa Indonesia, with exceptional writing, editing, and proofreading abilities.

• Strong strategic communications and stakeholder engagement skills.

• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement communication strategies aligned with organisational objectives.

• Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and cross-functional initiatives.

• Experience overseeing digital communications, social media, website content, publications, and multimedia production.

• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to build productive relationships with senior stakeholders, government counterparts, development partners, industry, media, and researchers.

• Strong leadership, coordination, and mentoring skills.

• High attention to detail and commitment to producing high-quality communication products.

• Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgement, and perform effectively under pressure.

• Demonstrated analytical skills, including the ability to monitor and evaluate communications performance and apply insights to improve communications effectiveness.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and familiarity with digital communication and content management platforms.

• Prior experience in international development, research communications, or Australia–Indonesia cooperation programs is highly desirable.

APPLICATION PROCESS 

Applications can be sent to KONEKSI via: 

https://bit.ly/KONEKSIJobs  no later than 20 August 2026 COB/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.