KEY INFORMATION

Job Title: Economist (Macro)

Program: Prospera Phase 2 

Position Type: Full time

Duration/level of effort: Long-term

Position Location: Jakarta, Indonesia

SUMMARY OF THE PROJECT

Prospera is Australia's flagship economic governance investment in Indonesia, supporting the Government of Indonesia (GoI) to advance inclusive, sustainable and climate-resilient economic reform. Implemented by Cowater International in partnership with the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and the Government of Indonesia, the program runs from 2026 to 2035. Prospera is a dual modality program comprising partnerships between Australian and Indonesian government agencies along with distinct but interrelated Managing Contractor-led (Cowater) advisory and support services.

SUMMARY OF THE POSITION

The Economist delivers high-quality economic analysis and insights to support Prospera Phase 2's economic development objectives in Indonesia. This role focuses on macro fiscal finance, providing evidence-based recommendations that inform program strategy and policy decisions. The Economist engages with local stakeholders, interprets complex economic data, and ensures that Prospera's initiatives align with Indonesia's economic landscape.

Day-to-day, the Economist combines technical expertise with practical problem-solving to navigate the dynamic economic environment. Reporting to the Lead Macro, this role collaborates closely with other economists in Financial Sector Team and Fiscal Team, and other stakeholders to deliver impactful results. The ideal candidate brings enthusiasm, a commitment to continuous learning, and innovative thinking to drive Prospera's mission forward.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 

A. Economic Analysis and Insight

• Data Interpretation
  • Analyse macroeconomic indicators and fiscal data to identify trends and inform strategic decision-making.
  • Evaluate the impact of economic policies on Indonesia's macroeconomic landscape and Prospera's program objectives.
• Report Preparation
  • Draft high-quality economic reports and briefs that communicate complex analysis in an accessible manner.
  • Present findings and recommendations to internal stakeholders and external partners.

B. Stakeholder Engagement

• Collaboration
  • Engage with local government agencies, financial institutions, and academic experts to gather insights and validate analysis.
  • Participate in working groups and forums to represent Prospera's economic interests.
• Advice Provision
  • Provide evidence-based economic advice to program managers and policymakers to support informed decision-making.
  • Assist in the development of economic components for program proposals and strategies.

C. Process Improvement

• Methodology Enhancement
  • Review and refine economic analysis methodologies to ensure relevance and accuracy in the Indonesian context.
  • Incorporate feedback from stakeholders to improve the quality and impact of economic insights.
• Documentation
  • Maintain up-to-date documentation of economic analysis processes and tools.
  • Contribute to the development of training materials and guidelines for economic analysis within Prospera.

KEY RELATIONSHIP – Internal

As a vital part of the Macro Fiscal Finance team, the role works closely with:

• Lead Macro — reporting and supervision line; direction, support and professional development
• Fiscal Team and Financial Sector Team — understanding macroeconomic interrelation with public finance and financial sector in shaping policy recommendations
• Communications Team — ensuring economic insights are effectively communicated across the program

KEY RELATIONSHIP - Eksternal

In addition to internal collaboration, the Economist engages with:

• Government of Indonesia counterparts — exchanging economic data, insights, and policy feedback to align Prospera's initiatives with national fiscal strategies.
• Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) — providing economic analysis and recommendations to inform funding decisions and program direction.
• Australian Public Service (APS) partners — collaborating on cross-agency projects and sharing best practices in economic analysis and policy development.
• Local financial institutions — gathering market insights, understanding fiscal trends, and exploring partnership opportunities for Prospera's economic initiatives.
• Academic and research institutions — engaging in knowledge exchange, leveraging research findings, and contributing to the academic discourse on Indonesia's economic development.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Essential

• Master Degree (S2) in Economics, Finance, Public Policy, or International Development: Advanced educational background, providing deeper expertise and research capabilities. A Bachelor’s degree in similar fields will also be considered for candidates with proven relevant experience as a macroeconomist.
• 5 years of relevant professional experience in macroeconomics, economic policy, economic research, or a closely related field.
• Macroeconomic in Practice: Proficiency in delivering macroeconomic surveillance, diagnostics, and forecasting to inform strategic decision-making.
• Policy Impact Assessment: Proven track record in evaluating the impact of macroeconomic policies.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Strong history of engaging with government agencies, financial institutions, and academic experts to inform economic strategies.

Desirable

• Bilingual Proficiency: Fluency in Bahasa Indonesia and English, facilitating effective communication with local stakeholders and within the team.
• Experience with International Development Programs: Experience in economic development projects, particularly in Indonesia, would be an advantage, providing valuable contextual understanding and practical insights.
• Published Research: A record of published economic research or articles, demonstrating thought leadership and contribution to the field.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Candidates are encouraged to apply by 21 September 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.