KEY INFORMATION

Job Title: Team Leader

Reports to: Cowater Contractor Representative

Location: Jakarta, Indonesia

Duration: Two years

Background of the Program

The DFAT-funded Australia–Indonesia Knowledge Partnership Platform (KONEKSI) is Australia’s flagship development program supporting research and innovation in Indonesia. KONEKSI seeks to strengthen collaboration and mutual understanding between Australian and Indonesian organisations and increase the generation and use of knowledge-based solutions for inclusive and sustainable policies and technologies. The program supports collaborative research and targeted technical assistance and works across the knowledge-to-policy and knowledge-to-innovation cycles.

KONEKSI has recently undergone an Independent Strategic Review (ISR) and is entering a period of strategic and operational evolution.. The Team Leader will drive the program’s strategic pivot implementation, build on existing strengths in equitable partnership, inclusion, and high quality management. and maximize KONEKSI’s impact by linking researchers more systematically with policy makers, industry and other users; deepening engagement with Indonesia's research and innovation ecosystem; strengthening government-to-government engagement; and exploring appropriate private-sector and philanthropic participation.

Summary of the Position

The Team Leader (TL) will provide high-level strategic, technical and operational leadership for KONEKSI and  will be accountable for the overall quality, coherence and performance of the program. The TL will ensure the ISR recommendations are fully integrated into program strategy, work plans, partnerships, resources and delivery arrangements; and identify other relevant opportunities that advance those recommendations.

The TL will ensure that KONEKSI remains aligned with the program logic, DFAT requirements, Government of Australia and Government of Indonesia priorities, partner needs and the evolving bilateral context. The TL will represent and communicate KONEKSI’s program intent at senior meetings, forums, events and governance bodies; engage strategically with Cowater, DFAT, Indonesian and Australian government stakeholders, research institutions, universities, civil society, industry and other program partners; and provide overall leadership to the Senior Leadership Team and program personnel.

Key Performance Indicators

• Program activities demonstrate clear alignment with relevant Government of Indonesia and Government of Australia priorities, ISR recommendations and KONEKSI outcomes.
• Positive relationships are maintained with external stakeholders, including all partners, the Government of Indonesia, DFAT, Government of Australia stakeholders and others; 
• Barriers, bottlenecks and pain points affecting research-to-policy, research-to-commercialisation and other research-to-use pathways are proactively identified, and the team is guided to address them across priority activities and the portfolio.
• Strategic engagement with research users, innovation actors, government agencies, universities, industry and other partners produces documented actions and opportunities for uptake or collaboration.
• Government-to-government engagement results in coordinated follow-up actions, clear responsibilities and well-prepared strategic dialogue that advances agreed program priorities.
• Program risks are identified early, managed effectively and communicated promptly to Cowater and DFAT. 
• Effective leadership is demonstrated to the KONEKSI team, DFAT, Government of Indonesia, Government of Australia stakeholders and program partners.
• All contractual and ad hoc deliverables are submitted on time and meet DFAT and Cowater quality requirements.
• Program resources are managed effectively and demonstrate value for money.
• Regular monitoring, reporting and learning are used to assess implementation progress, research uptake and the effectiveness of the ISR pivot.
• Adviser performance assessments and other people-management requirements are completed on time and to the required standard.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

Program Leadership

• Provide high-level strategic leadership and oversight of program scope, ensuring activities align with the program logic, Government of Australia and Government of Indonesia priorities, partner needs, KONEKSI strategies and procedures, and DFAT guidelines and regulations.
• Oversee the establishment and integration of revised program functions arising from the ISR response, including the program’s approach to commercialisation, government engagement coordination, policy analysis, research impact, strategic communications and ecosystem learning.
• Represent KONEKSI at relevant meetings, forums, events, committees and senior stakeholder engagements to the highest professional standard.
• Provide overall leadership to the KONEKSI implementing team, with support from the Senior Leadership Team, ensuring effective coordination and accountability across all program functions, including the incorporation of relevant technical advice on innovation.
• Work closely with DFAT on the management, strategic direction and implementation of the program and provide timely, evidence-based advice on key decisions, risks and opportunities.
• Work through consultation and coordination with Government of Indonesia and other relevant innovation ecosystem stakeholders to support ownership, alignment with relevant priorities and effective institutional engagement.
• Engage relevant Australian Government stakeholders, including where appropriate Australian Public Service agencies with responsibilities for higher education, research, science and innovation, to support coherent bilateral engagement.
• Ensure effective communication and coordination among program partners, DFAT, Government of Indonesia, relevant Government of Australia agencies, Cowater, advisers and other stakeholders.
• Lead adaptive management and prioritisation so that KONEKSI resources are directed to activities with credible pathways to sustainable impact.

Research Uptake, Commercialisation and Strategic Partnerships

• Provide strategic leadership for KONEKSI’s research uptake, innovation and commercialisation agenda, including shaping fit-for-purpose advisory and technical arrangements that are integrated across program strategy, grants, partnerships, monitoring, communications and governance. 
• Guide portfolio-level assessment of promising research and its pathways to use, proactively identifying barriers and directing targeted support to advance policy influence, government or institutional adoption, industry application, social innovation, scale-up or commercialisation, as appropriate. 
• Mobilise relevant expertise and use highly targeted brokerage to bring together researchers, policy makers, government, industry, investors, philanthropic organisations and other research users at the right time to advance uptake and practical application
• Lead KONEKSI’s engagement with private-sector and philanthropic partners, ensuring opportunities align with KONEKSI’s development objectives and research strengths and meet applicable safeguards, due diligence, reputational, value-for-money and DFAT risk requirements. 
• Provide strategic advice on emerging research and innovation trends, ecosystem developments and partnership opportunities, and support science, technology and innovation foresight and structured dialogue that strengthen Australia–Indonesia cooperation. 

Program Management

(i) Management and Administration

• Provide oversight, advice and strategic input across financial management, grants management, procurement, contracting, administration, logistics and technical assistance.
• Ensure DFAT policy and contractual requirements are fulfilled, including robust selection, due diligence, organisational capacity and fiduciary assessment processes for partners, as required.
• Provide high-level oversight of annual budget planning and execution, ensuring expenditure is aligned with approved priorities and activities are implemented according to sound financial, administrative and governance principles.
• Oversee grant disbursements, partner performance and the delivery of activities included in approved work plans.
• Ensure value for money, GEDSI, safeguarding, sustainability, environmental and social safeguards, and risk management are embedded across implementation.

(ii) Program Planning, Performance and Reporting

• Oversee the preparation of program strategies, work plans, budgets, progress reports, performance products, briefs and other contractual deliverables.
• Ensure governance mechanisms support the development, endorsement and monitoring of jointly agreed plans and priorities.
• Provide overall quality assurance of program deliverables, ensuring they are accurate, concise, evidence-based, timely and appropriate for DFAT, Government of Indonesia and other intended audiences.
• Ensure monitoring, evaluation, research impact evidence and learning are used actively for management decisions, adaptation and reporting.
• Respond promptly to requests from DFAT, Cowater and Government of Indonesia stakeholders, including briefings and support for high-level visits or engagements.
• Proactively share material issues, opportunities and relevant evidence with DFAT, Cowater, government stakeholders and program partners.

(iii) Human Resources Management and Contracting

• Lead and manage KONEKSI personnel and provide guidance, mentorship and clear performance expectations to the Senior Leadership Team.
• Maintain clear organisational accountabilities, delegated authorities, reporting lines and coordinated ways of working.
• Maintain overall responsibility for the performance outputs of specified and unspecified program personnel in accordance with DFAT and Cowater requirements.
• Build an inclusive, respectful and high-performing culture characterised by collaboration, transparency, accountability and delivery discipline.
• Identify capability gaps and mobilise appropriate technical expertise to support program priorities and the ISR pivot.
• In coordination with the Head of Operations and Grants Management, ensure nationally sourced personnel and advisers are engaged and managed in accordance with applicable Indonesian requirements and market conditions.

(iv) Program Risk Management

• Proactively monitor and report on strategic, delivery, stakeholder, financial, fiduciary, safeguarding, fraud, security and reputational risks and implement proportionate mitigation measures in consultation with Cowater and DFAT.
• Ensure effective implementation of relevant fraud control, safeguarding, security, code of conduct and compliance requirements.
• Ensure Cowater’s corporate interests are respected and relevant policies, procedures, systems and protocols are followed.
• Keep DFAT and Cowater advised of issues that may affect satisfactory program progress, stakeholder confidence or achievement of outcomes.

Qualifications, Experience and Competencies

Essential

• Advanced qualification in public policy, international development, research and innovation, higher education, science and technology, economics, business, public administration or a related discipline.
• Substantial senior leadership experience managing a complex, multi-stakeholder and donor-funded program, including responsibility for strategy, delivery, people, budgets, risk, governance and client relationships.
• Demonstrated experience in research translation and impact, including one or more of the following: policy uptake, innovation ecosystem engagement, technology adoption, social innovation, scale-up, intellectual property, innovation finance, commercialisation or private-sector research partnerships. 
• Experience working across research, government and private-sector or innovation settings, with a strong understanding of pathways from research to policy, institutional practice, industry or wider use.
• Demonstrated experience working in Indonesia and a strong understanding of Indonesian government, institutional and stakeholder contexts, particularly in research, higher education, science, innovation or public policy.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with senior government and donor stakeholders in a politically sensitive bilateral or international development environment.
• Demonstrated ability to build trusted senior relationships with government, universities, research institutions, civil society, industry and development partners.
• Strong program management capability across planning, budgeting, grants, procurement, contracting, performance, risk, quality assurance and people leadership.
• Excellent strategic judgement, diplomacy, representation, written communication and stakeholder-management skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to GEDSI, safeguarding, ethical conduct, equitable partnerships and inclusive leadership.

Highly Desirable

• Experience working in or closely with the Australian Public Service, particularly in roles involving international, development, foreign policy, research, higher education, science or innovation priorities.
• Direct experience working with DFAT, including knowledge of DFAT program management, performance, risk, value-for-money and policy requirements.
• Senior-level experience supporting Australia–Indonesia government-to-government engagement or bilateral institutional cooperation.
• Experience working with DFAT or other bilateral or multilateral donor agencies, including familiarity with program management, performance, risk and value-for-money requirements.  
• Established professional networks in Indonesia and Australia across government, research, higher education, industry and innovation communities.
• Professional proficiency in Bahasa Indonesia and English.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Candidates are encouraged to apply by 16 October 2026 COB (05.00 PM, Western Indonesia Time) through Career Opportunities - Careers

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.  

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.