Program Management Specialist for Kemendag, Jakarta

Program Management Specialist for Kemendag

We are searching for an experienced Program Management Specialist for Kemendag to work on the Katalis Phase II program in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Palladium is in the business of making the world a better place, and we believe that collaborative models and systemic approaches are the Program Management Specialist for Kemendag way to achieve progress and success. We work with governments, businesses, and investors to solve the world's most pressing challenges. With a team of more than 2,500 employees operating in 90-plus countries, we help improve economies, societies, and, most importantly, people's lives. Palladium is part of the GISI Consulting Group, a company that unites some of the world's top project management and engineering consulting firms to innovate and accelerate solutions on a global scale.

Program Overview Katalis Phase II (2026-2031) is a partnership between the governments of Australia and Indonesia, funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), and implemented in collaboration with the Government of Indonesia. The program strengthens bilateral economic engagement under the Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IA‑CEPA) through two mutually reinforcing pillars:

• Pillar 1: IA‑CEPA institutional architecture & policy reform (secretariat and implementation support).
• Pillar 2: Skills, Businesses & Inclusive Growth, including the Katalis Business Partnership Fund (KBPF) to test, scale, and commercialize inclusive, climate‑smart business models with Indonesian SMEs and Australian partners.

The Program Management Specialist will support the Ministry of Trade (MoT) to align IA‑CEPA implementation under Katalis Phase 2 with Indonesia's trade and investment priorities and Australia's economic diplomacy objectives.

About the Role The Program Management Specialist provides high level program coordination and strategic advisory support to the Ministry of Trade (Kemendag) to enable effective, well sequenced, and aligned implementation of IA CEPA through the Katalis Phase 2 Program.

The role supports Kemendag to coordinate, synthesise, and strategically leverage inputs from the Katalis Program, relevant Kemendag directorates, line ministries, and IA CEPA governance mechanisms. The position strengthens Kemendag' governance, coordination, and oversight functions for IA-CEPA implementation, ensuring coherence with Indonesia's national development priorities, including the RPJMN and Vision 2045, while maintaining alignment with IA-CEPA objectives and DFAT's economic diplomacy priorities.

The position is advisory and facilitative in nature, with a focus on governance, coordination, monitoring, synthesis, and strategic consolidation. It does not hold formal decision-making authority.

The assignment of the Project Management Specialist is subject to an ongoing review process, under which replacement may occur over time based on the results of performance assessments conducted jointly by Kemendag and DFAT.

Primary Responsibilities The Program Management Specialist will deliver high level coordination and strategic advisory support to Kemendag in support of IA CEPA implementation. Responsibilities are structured across governance coordination, Annual Work Plan coordination, outcome analysis, and enabling functions. 1. IA CEPA Governance and Program Coordination Support Kemendag' governance, coordination, and oversight role for IA CEPA by:

• Supporting IA CEPA trade-related institutional coordination, including secretariat level support, governance processes, and cross agency collaboration mechanisms led by Kemendag.
• Supporting the effective functioning of IA CEPA governance forums (Joint Committee/JC, Economic Cooperation Committee/ECC, and Sub-Committee/SC or Technical Working Groups/TWGs), including coordinating Kemendag participation and preparing consolidated briefings, talking points, strategic summaries, and follow up actions for senior Kemendag officials.
• Strengthening coordination across relevant Kemendag directorates and designated focal points to support a coherent, whole of Kemendag approach to IA CEPA implementation.
• Synthesizing strategic inputs from the Directorate General for International Trade Negotiations, Ministry of Trade (Kemendag) and other relevant directorates and teams to ensure cross-cutting thematic alignment.

2) Annual Work Plan (AWP) Coordination Support Kemendag in ensuring an aligned and effective Annual Work Plan (AWP) for IA CEPA implementation by:

• Supporting Kemendag across the full AWP cycle, including development, implementation, monitoring, and amendment, aligned with the government planning and budget cycle.
• Socializing the AWP and facilitating coordination across relevant Kemendag directorates and related ministries involved in IA CEPA implementation.
• Supporting review, consolidation, and prioritization of proposals, ensuring alignment with IA CEPA objectives, Katalis investment criteria, RPJMN, Government Work Plan (RKP), Strategic Planning (Renstra), and previous AWP recommendations.
• Tracking AWP implementation progress and providing analytical inputs to support Kemendag in reviewing performance and adjusting the AWP as required.

3) End-of-Program Outcomes (EOPOs) and Pillar Analysis Provide strategic analysis to support outcome-focused IA-CEPA implementation by:

• Tracking and analyzing progress against End of Program Outcomes (EOPOs) and Intermediate Outcomes (IOs), including how program activities and Katalis Pillars contribute to ultimate outcomes.
• Identifying EOPO gaps or risks and providing strategic advisory inputs to Kemendag on sequencing, priorities, risks, and opportunities to strengthen IA CEPA outcomes.

4) Enabling Functions Undertake the following enabling functions to support the primary responsibilities of the role:

• Consolidate and synthesize monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) inputs related to IA-CEPA and Katalis implementation, translating evidence into policy relevant insights for senior level dialogue.
• Support integration of Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) considerations into IA CEPA prioritization and AWP processes, in line with DFAT and Palladium policies.
• Work in close coordination with the Katalis Core Program Team, particularly in relation to Pillar 1.
• Supporting policy dialogue, coordination discussions, and shared understanding across Kemendag directorates, line ministries, and IA CEPA institutions.
• Undertake other coordination and strategic advisory tasks, including analytical input on matters relevant to IA-CEPA implementation as requested by Kemendag, within the overall scope of the role.
• Ensure all activities comply with DFAT, and Palladium, and Kemendag/MoT policies and standards, including GEDSI, safeguarding, fraud and anti-corruption, and ethical conduct.

Qualifications and Requirements

• A postgraduate qualification in economics, public policy, international trade, development studies, international relations, or a closely related discipline; or equivalent senior‑level professional experience relevant to policy coordination and government advisory roles.
• At least 5 years of relevant experience in donor‑funded programs, government coordination, or strategic advisory roles, with demonstrated experience in economic cooperation, trade and investment policy, or institutional and policy reform in Indonesia. Experience working with DFAT‑funded initiatives or similar bilateral programs is highly desirable.
• Substantial experience working closely with the Government of Indonesia, particularly Kemendag and other central ministries involved in economic coordination, trade, investment, or national development planning, in an advisory and coordination capacity.
• Demonstrated understanding of Indonesia's national development planning framework, including the RPJMN, vision 2045, and cross‑ministerial and sectoral planning processes, with proven ability to align program inputs and policy advice with government priorities.
• Strong knowledge of trade and economic cooperation frameworks, including bilateral or regional trade agreements, trade facilitation, non‑tariff barrier (NTB) reform, and institutional coordination and governance mechanisms.
• Proven experience in high‑level program coordination, inter-institutional facilitation, synthesis of diverse technical inputs into clear, coherent, and strategic advice for senior government and development partner stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to translate program evidence, stakeholder inputs, and governance processes into policy‑relevant analysis, strategic briefings, and advisory materials.
• Proven ability to facilitate policy dialogue, committee and governance processes, and multi‑stakeholder engagement, involving government counterparts, development partners, and program teams.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, with demonstrated experience producing high‑quality briefs, summaries, and strategic advisory notes for senior audiences.
• Professional proficiency in Bahasa Indonesia, sufficient for policy engagement, coordination, and facilitation with government counterparts.
• Demonstrated commitment to Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) and broader equity, diversity, and inclusion principles, particularly in multicultural and multi‑stakeholder contexts.

While this role does not involve direct work with children, as part of Palladium's commitment to being a child-safe organization, the successful candidate will be required to complete a police check.

We strongly encourage people with disability to apply. Disclosing about your disability will not negatively affect your application. Please tell us as much as you feel comfortable for us to work with you about the appropriate adjustments that you might need.

Salary and benefits: Competitive locally engaged salary and benefits.

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion - Palladium is committed to embedding equity, diversity, and inclusion into everything we do. We welcome applications from all sections of society and actively encourage diversity to drive innovation, creativity, success and good practice. We positively welcome and seek to ensure we achieve diversity in our workforce; and that all job applicants and employees receive equal and fair treatment regardless of their background or personal characteristics. These include: (but are not limited to) socio-economic background, age, race, gender identity and expression, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, nationality, veteran, marital or Indigenous status. Should you require any adjustments or accommodations to be made due to a disability, or you are a neurodivergent individual or for any other circumstance, please email our team at accessibility@thepalladiumgroup.com and we will be in touch to discuss. Safeguarding - We define Safeguarding as all the actions taken by Palladium to protect our people, communities where we work and our clients from harm, including Sexual Exploitation, Abuse or Sexual Harassment; Child Abuse in any form; Trafficking for sexual exploitation of adults or children and any form of Trafficking of children. We have zero tolerance for all forms of child abuse as well as sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment and zero-tolerance for inaction to prevent, protect against, respond to and report harm. We are committed to ensuring that all children and adults who come into contact with Palladium are treated with respect and are free from abuse. All successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced selection process including safeguarding-focused interviews and a rigorous due diligence process. Our Code of Conduct and Child Safeguarding and Protection against Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment Guidelines have additional details.

Application closes on 06 July 2026 at 23:59 Jakarta Time Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. We encourage you to apply early as the position may close once a suitable candidate is found. Please note that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.