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.

Background of the Activity

The Government of Indonesia has identified Eastern Indonesia as a strategic region for accelerating inclusive and sustainable economic growth, in line with the National Long-Term Development Plan (RPJPN) 2025–2045 and the National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN) 2025–2029. Despite its significant natural resource potential and strategic economic sectors, Eastern Indonesia continues to face challenges related to infrastructure connectivity, regional competitiveness, and human resource development. 

Universities, the private sector, government institutions, and development partners have undertaken many research, innovation, and development initiatives. Although valuable, these efforts remain fragmented and are not yet integrated into a coordinated innovation ecosystem capable of supporting regional development at scale.

To address this challenge, Bappenas, through the Directorate of Eastern Indonesia Development, is developing the Innovation Hub for Eastern Indonesia. The Innovation Hub aims to strengthen collaboration among government, academia, industry, communities, and development partners to promote the application of research, technology, and innovation in support of regional economic development and commodity-based growth.

As an initial pilot initiative, seaweed has been identified as a priority commodity due to its strong economic potential and the availability of existing research support through the KONEKSI Program. The provinces of East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) and South Sulawesi have been selected as pilot locations for the development of the Roadmap of Innovation-Based Seaweed Development and the establishment of the Innovation Hub model. 

Contextual Rational 

Through collaboration between Bappenas, the KONEKSI Program, and the Rural Economies Centre of Excellence (RECoE), the initiative brings together Indonesian and Australian expertise to support knowledge exchange, innovation, and evidence-based policymaking. The initiative also incorporates GEDSI principles, recognising the important role of the seaweed sector in supporting the livelihoods of coastal and rural communities in Eastern Indonesia, including women, people with disabilities, Indigenous peoples, youth, and other groups that often face barriers.

Importantly, the initiative has a clear pathway to policy uptake and impact. The evidence, and recommendations generated through the activity will directly contribute to Bappenas' Roadmap of Innovation-Based Seaweed Development and the establishment of the Innovation Hub for Eastern Indonesia, helping to strengthen the competitiveness, sustainability, and inclusiveness of the seaweed sector and regional economic development.

To support the design, planning, and implementation of these initiatives, the Directorate of Eastern Indonesia Development requires a Senior Technical Expert to provide strategic advice, facilitate multi-stakeholder partnerships, and support the development of an inclusive, evidence-based, and implementation-ready roadmap and Innovation Hub model.

The Objectives of the proposed Program Activities

The proposed program activities aim to:

1. Support Bappenas in the development and refinement of the Roadmap of Innovation-Based Seaweed Development for Eastern Indonesia. 
2. Strengthen collaboration between Indonesian and Australian institutions, including RECoE and relevant Australian organisations, to promote knowledge exchange, research translation, and innovation partnerships. 
3. Develop an Innovation Hub model that facilitates collaboration among government, academia, industry, communities, and development partners to accelerate innovation-led regional development. 
4. Integrate GEDSI principles into the roadmap and Innovation Hub design to ensure that the benefits of innovation and economic development reach women, people with disabilities, Indigenous peoples, youth, and other marginalised groups in Eastern Indonesia. 
5. Identify opportunities for innovation, value addition, and sustainable growth within the seaweed sector while strengthening local livelihoods and community resilience. 
6. Generate actionable policy recommendations and partnership mechanisms that support the implementation and long-term sustainability of the roadmap and Innovation Hub.

Scope of Work

1. Providing technical and strategic inputs to strengthen the Roadmap of Innovation-Based Seaweed Development and the institutional framework of the Innovation Hub.
2. Conducting assessments and analyses of innovation opportunities, stakeholder roles, and regional development needs related to the seaweed sector.
3. Developing policy recommendations and strategic advisory materials to support the operationalisation of the roadmap and Innovation Hub.
4. Facilitating stakeholder consultations, coordination meetings, workshops, and partnership forums involving government, academia, private sector, civil society, and development partners.
5. Supporting the preparation of partnership frameworks and collaboration documents, including Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and other strategic agreements.
6. Contributing to benchmarking activities, knowledge exchange initiatives, and field visits to identify relevant good practices and lessons learned.
7. Supporting the preparation and implementation of the roadmap launch and related high-level engagement activities.
8. Providing ongoing strategic advice and reporting on progress, challenges, and recommendations throughout the assignment period.
9.  

Reporting and Coordination

The senior consultant will report directly to the Director of Eastern Indonesia Development, Bappenas, provide regular progress updates and maintain active coordination with the technical team of the Directorate of Eastern Indonesia Development, DFAT, KONEKSI and RECoE. 

Key Responsibilities

Under the direction of the KONEKSI GEDSI Coordinator, the TA Senior Technical Expert for Eastern Indonesia Hub Development will be responsible for:

1. Policy recommendations to strengthen, refine, and support the implementation of the Roadmap of Innovation-Based Seaweed Development and the operationalisation of the Innovation Hub for Eastern Indonesia (End of Month 2 to Directorate PIT and KONEKSI). 
2. Monthly strategic briefs summarising progress, key achievements, emerging challenges, stakeholder engagement outcomes, and strategic recommendations for the development and implementation of the Roadmap and Innovation Hub (End of Each Month to Directorate of PIT and KONEKSI). 
3. Facilitation of stakeholder coordination and partnership forums involving Bappenas, provincial governments, RECoE, Australian partners, industry representatives, researchers, and community development partners to support roadmap development and Innovation Hub preparation. (End of Month 2, 6 and 9 to Directorate of PIT and KONEKSI)
4. Partnership and collaboration documents, including Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), partnership frameworks, or other collaboration agreements required to support the implementation of the roadmap and the establishment of the Innovation Hub (End of Month 7 or 8 to Directorate PIT and KONEKSI). 
5. Refined Roadmap of Innovation-Based Seaweed Development building on the roadmap developed by RECoE (End of Month 9 to Directorate of PIT and KONEKSI). 

Qualification and Criteria

1. A minimum of a Master's degree (S2) in Regional and Urban Planning, Public Policy, Development Economics, Development Studies, Management, Innovation Studies, or other relevant disciplines
2. At least 10 years of professional experience in areas related to regional development, primary sector downstreaming, local economic development, commodity-based industry development, innovation ecosystem development, and/or strategic stakeholder coordination at national and sub-national levels.
3. Demonstrated experience in providing strategic advice and technical inputs for the development of policies, roadmaps, strategic plans, or development planning documents at national and/or sub-national levels.
4. Proven experience in facilitating strategic engagement and coordination among key stakeholders, including national and local government agencies, international development partners, academic institutions, community organisations, Indigenous and local communities, and the private sector.
5. Experience working with international development partners (through cooperation programs, studies, or policy development initiatives), national government agencies, and local governments.
6. A strong track record in the development and/or review of strategic documents, such as action plans, roadmaps, regional development policies, and/or innovation initiatives based on multi-stakeholder partnerships.
7. Excellent communication, analytical, and writing skills in both Bahasa Indonesia and English, particularly in preparing strategic documents, policy recommendations, and coordinating with diverse strategic stakeholders.
8. Ability to work effectively in a dynamic, results-oriented environment, both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
9. Willingness to undertake official travel as required by the assignment.

Activity Timeline

The individual consultancy contract will be effective for a period of nine (9) months, with total LoE 135 working days

APPLICATION PROCESS 

Applications can be sent to KONEKSI via: 

https://bit.ly/KONEKSIJobs  no later than 22 June 2026 COB (05.00 PM, Western Indonesia Time)

Women, people with disabilities, and people from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

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; 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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