Vacancy with RTI International - KSI Project

VACANCY ADVERTISEMENT

RTI International is one of the world's leading research institutes, dedicated to improving the human condition by turning knowledge into practice. Our staff of more than 3,700 provides research and technical services to governments and businesses in more than 75 countries in the areas of health and pharmaceuticals, education and training, surveys and statistics, advanced technology, international development, economic and social policy, energy and the environment, and laboratory testing and chemical analysis.

RTI International as the managing contractor for the Knowledge Sector Initiative (KSI) is seeking highly qualified candidates to fill the Program Officer position to be based in Jakarta.

Program Background

The Knowledge Sector Initiative (KSI) program is a joint initiative between the Australian Government and BAPPENAS (The National Planning Agency) to improve the quality of public policies in Indonesia through the use of research, analysis and evidence. The program seeks to achieve this by supporting the capacity building of think tanks, to improve the quality of their research to meet policy maker’s needs, improve systems and regulations in government to support research-based policy making, and to develop effective models for procuring and using research to strengthen policies in education, health and social protection that will benefit the country’s poor. The program, projected to be 15 years in duration, has begun implementation in May 2013.

The overall goal of KSI is that Indonesia has the capacity to develop effective and socially accountable policies that meet priority development needs. Revitalising the Indonesian knowledge sector is an enormous effort, well beyond the scope of any one agency or development partner. AusAID’s objective in supporting this program is to catalyse reform efforts by providing its partners with a framework and resources to drive a reform process. It does not do everything. Designing the program interventions required striking a balance between the need for a comprehensive approach to knowledge sector reform and realism about what can be achieved with limited capacities, resources, and timeframes. Nevertheless, analysis suggests that in Indonesia the time is ripe for launching this change.

KSI Program Officers will lead activities supporting research organizations to (i) produce and communicate high-quality policy research; (ii) effectively translate research into policy options; (iii) incorporate policy options into research agendas, and (iv) strengthen organisational capacities and achieve financial sustainability. Program Officers will also lead activities supporting partner ministries to manage research for evidence-based policymaking. Successful Program Officers will work flexibly across all KSI components and foster cross-fertilisation and cooperation.

The objectives of the assignment are as follows:

• a.       To lead project activities and supervise project support staff.
• b.      To cultivate strong working relationships with leaders of partner policy research institutes and government agencies
• c.  To monitor performance of partner organisations to ensure that resources are being used to improve quality, relevance and communication of research while also improving organisational capacity and operational integrity
• d.      To contribute to the design and implementation of M&E systems for partner organizations and to manage data for M&E purposes
• e.      To develop new ideas for strengthening partner organizations and to contribute to the design and implementation of new grants
• f.        To coordinate short-term technical expertise and to identify other resources for supporting partner organisations

ESSENTIAL Duties and Responsibilities:

a.       To be the lead coordinator with defined partner organisations and internal project staff for the provision and management of technical/operational support to meet expected project outcomes. Areas of work include, among others, annual strategic planning, collaborative identification of needed TA, fostering a learning culture in partner organisations, assistance in networking and other external collaboration, and facilitation of collaborative communication activities.

b.      To directly manage relationships and liaise with partner organisations to ensure clear communication, shared and cleared objectives for all activities at large. The position is to provide a pro-active one-window mechanism for the partner organisations to collaborate with KSI.

c.       Work with the project staff, other Program Officers and partners to identify, facilitate and manage cross program collaboration and synergies.

d.      Coordinate closely with the (i) Senior Advisor – Research, (ii) Senior Advisor – Knowledge Use, (iii) Senior Advisor – Intermediary organisations, and (iv) the Organisational Development and Learning Specialist, in design and implementation of a variety of activities, which may include oversight of consultants and/or consulting organisations

e.      Work with the project M&E team and partner organisations to implement activities and collect data related to the project's M&E framework and requirements.

f.        Work with the KSI grants management unit to closely coordinate communication around deliverables and grants management with the partner organisations, including a pro-active collaborative approach to problem solving.

g.       Work with Communications Manager to produce high quality communications outputs meeting project’s and partners’ needs.

 

 

Required Qualifications and Experience:

1. Five years of program/project management experience, ideally in policy development, research & analysis or governance
2. Excellent communication, facilitation and inter-personal skills.
3. Ability to work well within a team.
4. Ability to work effectively with government and non-government stakeholders in the field.
5. Master's Degree in relevant discipline or a Bachelor’s Degree combined with extensive and highly relevant experience in the knowledge sector.
6. Excellent writing skills in Bahasa Indonesia. Fluency and strong capacity to read and write reports in English.

Interested candidates should send the following documentations: Application letter and CV with 3 referees. Please indicate the position you are applying for in the email subject, and submit the application by 16 November 2013 to hr@rti-indomd.rti.org.

RTI values equal employment opportunities. Female candidates are encouraged to apply.

Only short listed candidates will be contacted.