National NGO Study and Service Centre (NSSC) Research and Design - Research Findings Editor

Program Background Over the last 15 years CSOs and NGOs in Indonesia have been among the key drivers of political, economic and social reform as part of Indonesia’s transition towards a democratic, middle-income country, including on issues such as women’s rights, corruption, and freedom of information.  Indonesian civil society organisations have also made critical contributions to enhancing inclusive and sustainable development, ensuring that those most in need are able to live healthy and productive lives. NGOs in Indonesia operate in all DFAT – Australian Aid priority development areas and therefore the improved functioning of NGOs as organisations, and the NGO sector more broadly, would support significant development impacts. While the NGO sector in Indonesia has considerable strengths, it also has many challenges that cannot be addressed through donor programs that are focused solely on project outcomes. These challenges include dependence on donor funding, high staff turnover, poor use of research, limited documentation of work, lack of an effective intermediary and support sub-sector, and poor public accountability. Successfully addressing these challenges would lead to improved NGO efficiency and effectiveness, and in turn poverty reduction outcomes in Indonesia. A project is underway to design a facility for the National NGO Study and Service Centre for Poverty Reduction and Development (NSSC).  The facility will provide analytical and policy support to NGOs from across the country to action plan together and address challenges in and to the NGO sector. It is also expected that the NSSC can complement and reinforce DFAT and GOI’s ongoing programs of frontline service delivery, which will be the key feature of development cooperation between the two governments to address poverty and development issues in Indonesia for the years to come. One of the NSSC R&D products will be a compendium of NSSC research findings for a wider public audience. This edited volume will reflect findings on key topics from the mixed methods research that the team conducted and analysed internally in 2014. To produce the volume, the NSSC R&D will work with both internal and external contributors and a Research Findings Editor to write and edit the volume or collection of research summary and results, as well as seek confirmation and inputs on conclusions drawn from a wider audience. Key topics may include examinations of the following, among others – Shape and impact of NGOs’ networks with each other and other stakeholders Funding access, sources and diversification efforts Institutional leadership regeneration trends and strategies The role of socioeconomic context in NGOs relations with government and the private sector Accountability efforts and impact of institutional and contextual factors The NSSC R&D team is currently seeking applications for the position of Research Findings Editor position, to coordinate the writing process and maintain attention to the pre-agreed writing framework and guide and quality assurance steps, prepare the summary conclusion chapter, edit all chapters and finalize the volume.   Objectives The NSSC R&D team will produce an edited volume that compiles research results on the NGO enabling environment. This compendium will be made up of 4-6 fifteen (15) page pieces plus an introduction and a conclusion. The main purpose of the work will be to bring together in one place key research findings based on mixed method research that has been conducted by the NSSC R&D team. The compendium will be submitted to DFAT and used in the proposed NSSC facility (currently under design) as an evidence-base  when working and engaging with NGOs. The compendium and process undertaken to develop it will more broadly aim to provide a wide audience of stakeholders access to information in an effort to strengthen and sustain the Indonesian NGO sector including NGOs, government and the private sector.     Duties Under supervision from the Team Leader and working closely with the team’s Qualitative Research Analyst and other contributors, the Research Findings Editor will take a leading role in the full process of producing this compendium, starting with development of the framework, style and terminology used across the distinct topical pieces, managing timelines of key contributors, editing individual contributions and the full compendium, compiling the conclusion section and undertaking other related tasks as agreed.  Specific tasks are expected to include: Review background materials and scope of work for overall compendium production, including related consultations; Agree on a work plan; Working with contributors, agree on final topics list, common drafting framework and formatting, and common terminology (the editor is welcome to suggest other factors that need agreement in advance among the writers); Coordinate with contributors to keep writing and editing timeline on track; Edit and provide critical feedback on drafts of individual contributions; Prepare conclusion section based on relevant material from each individual contribution; Tentatively/if feasible, participate in discussions with stakeholders in June for dissemination and consultative purposes; Edit full compendium for consistency, to reduce repetitiveness, and for adherence to agreed standards Throughout the editor will pay attention to agreed quality assurance steps and standards; maintain a consistent style of writing in line with the audience; and seek to keep the project on time against the timeline.   Qualifications and Experience At least a Bachelor’s degree/S1 in a relevant field (research; management of nonprofits/NGOs, public policy, social work/social welfare, sociology, international development, etc.), with a significant research, writing and editing component to the degree work. Masters/S2 preferred; At least 3 years of directly relevant experience; Demonstrated experience writing or editing high-quality social research publications; Demonstrated experience editing others’ writing for publication, with experience editing submissions from several authors in a common framework; Excellent written English required. Knowledge of Indonesian desirable; Strong attention to detail and deadlines; past success in a project management role highly desirable; Ability to effectively communicate suggestions and required edits with authors in different locations and with different writing styles and language backgrounds; A critical or comparative understanding of the Indonesian development context and NGO sector strongly preferred; Past experience in a development  advisory position preferable, in particular in conducting, writing or editing research reports in the DFAT Australian Aid context.   Timing and location The position is expected to start as soon as possible and end July 31 upon final deadline for the deliverable to DFAT. The position will allow for up to 50 days of work with the heaviest workload expected for the month of June and early July. The position may be done entirely remotely, with some meetings and discussions to be held in person if the adviser is located in Jakarta. How to apply By no later than Sunday, 26 April 2015 midnight Jakarta time, please submit a current resume or CV that captures your relevant experience for the position with a one (1) page cover letter addressing the above criteria and outlining your interest in the position.  Submit via email to info@nssc.or.id. Please use the subject line “editor position.” Note that interviews will be done on a rolling basis so early submission of applications is strongly encouraged.   Make sure at least 2 professional references who can speak to the qualifications listed above, including phone number and email address, are listed in your application materials. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. .