Program Officer RTI International

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.

1. Introduction

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, will begin 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.

This position focuses on the following two components of the project:

The ‘Supply’ Component, selected partner organisations generate and communicate high-quality evidence to relevant policy makers; and

The ‘Intermediary’ Component- selected partner organisations effectively translate the findings from research into policy options and policy options feed back into research.

However, at times Program Officers may be called on to support the ‘Demand’ Component, which works directly with several Indonesian ministries. Successful Program Officers will work flexibly across all KSI components and foster cross-fertilisation and cooperation.

1. Objectives

The objectives of the assignment are as follows:

1. To ensure that partner organisations are effectively communicating and collaborating with the KSI project in all aspects of the partnership to meet overall project goals as listed above.
2. To ensure that partner organisations are receiving TA efficiently and effectively, meeting KSI and partners organisations objectives to improve quality, relevance and communication of research while also improving organisational capacity and operational integrity.
3. To strengthen the capacity of partner organisations to carry out, communicate and use policy relevant research.

1. Scope of Work

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Working with the project staff, other Program Officers and partners to identify, facilitate and manage cross program collaboration and synergies.
4. All of the tasks above will require close coordination with the Supply Component Leader and 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.
5. To 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.
6. To 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.

1. Level of Effort

The duration of the assignment is until approximately June 30, 2017.

1. Organisational Arrangements

The Program Officers will report directly to the Components Leaders, all members of the national KSI Senior Management Team and will work in a collaborative and flexible manner to support the achievement of objectives across the project.

1. Qualification Requirements

1. Excellent communication, facilitation and inter-personal skills.
2. Ability to work well within a team.
3. Ability to work effectively with government and non-government stakeholders in the field.
4. Three to five years of professional experience in a capacity building position. Experience in policy development and governance highly desirable.
5. Bachelor's and/or Master's Degree relevant social science, organisation development and/or social policy field of study.
6. Excellent writing skills in Bahasa Indonesia. Fluency and strong capacity to read and write reports in English.

1. Application Instructions

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 to: hr@rti-indomd.rti.org. In order to be considered for this position candidates should ONLY send the requested information to the address hr@rti-indomd.rti.org and NOT through the RTI online application system. Only short listed candidates will be contacted.

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