KEY INFORMATION

Job Title: Senior Adviser - Digital Strategy

Program: Prospera Phase 2 

Position Type: International STA

Duration/level of effort: Short-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 Senior Adviser – Digital Strategy will lead the development of Prospera Phase 2’s digital strategy and delivery approach to support Indonesia’s digital transformation agenda across digital infrastructure, digital government, digital economy, and digital society. The role will provide strategic advice, design appropriate governance and delivery structures, and lead consultations with DFAT, Government of Indonesia counterparts, Australian Public Service partners, and development partners. The ideal candidate will bring senior-level experience in digital transformation, digital government or public sector reform, together with strong strategic, analytical, stakeholder engagement, and institutional design capabilities.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 

The Senior Adviser will lead the development of Prospera’s digital strategy, approach and delivery structures. Responsibilities include:

• Develop Prospera’s digital strategy and approach, setting out how Prospera will support Indonesia’s digital agenda across its four national pillars: digital infrastructure, digital government, digital economy and digital society.

• Review digital activity outputs and analytics from Prospera’s first phase, including the Completion Report; and Embassy-led analytics (Access Economics paper, Komdigi digital transformation report) 

• Ground the strategy in the Government of Indonesia’s own priorities and instruments, including the Digital Indonesia Roadmap, the Komdigi Strategic Plan 2025-2029 and the national digital economy and digital government frameworks.

• Draw on recognised international frameworks, such as the World Bank Digital Economy Assessment, OECD guidance on digital government and digital public infrastructure, ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement and G20 and United Nations norms, and adapt them to Indonesia’s political economy context.

• Define the scope, priorities and value proposition of Prospera’s digital portfolio for over a three-year period. Identify priority activities and their sequencing for the Program’s first year.

• Design the corresponding delivery structures for the portfolio, including the coordination mechanisms, resourcing and governance required for Prospera to deliver coherently across its directorates and partnerships.
• Lead a structured consultation process with DFAT (Australian Embassy Jakarta), Australian Public Service partners and Government of Indonesia counterparts to co-develop, test and validate the strategy, approach and structures.
• Consult key development partners and relevant DFAT programs that work on digital issues in Indonesia, identifying coordination priorities and opportunities for collaboration.
• Advise Prospera leadership and DFAT on strategic positioning, sequencing of activities and the key risks and opportunities across the portfolio.
• Support alignment between the digital strategy and Prospera’s broader program strategy, results framework and partnership arrangements, and the Australian Government’s broader digital cooperation with Indonesia.
• Undertake other related strategic tasks as required to deliver the assignment.

SELECTION CRITERIA

• Postgraduate qualifications in digital government, information systems, technology policy, public policy, public administration, economics, or another relevant discipline.

• Experience in leadership positions providing advice on digital transformation, digital government or public sector reform.

• Demonstrated experience developing digital transformation strategies and operating models spanning digital infrastructure, digital government, digital economy and digital society.

• Familiarity with digital public infrastructure, data governance, cybersecurity and recognised international frameworks such as the World Bank Digital Economy Assessment and OECD digital government guidance.

• Proven ability to design institutional, organisational and governance structures for complex, cross-cutting programs.

• Demonstrated experience leading multi-stakeholder consultation and building alignment across government and development partners.

• Excellent strategic thinking, analytical and facilitation skills, with the ability to translate international experience into practical and context-appropriate advice.

• Familiarity with Indonesia’s digital transformation, public sector reform or institutional landscape is desirable.

• Demonstrated experience advising ministers, senior executives and central government agencies on complex reform agendas is desirable.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Candidates are encouraged to apply by 22 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.