Deputy Knowledge and Communications

I. Position Information
Position Title : Deputy Knowledge and Communications

Contract : Annual Contract, Full-time

Location : Jakarta, Indonesia

Reports to : Executive Director

Supervises : Knowledge Hub Lead; Research Officer; Communications and Campaign Officer

II. Context
The digital revolution has forged a new universe for human existence and activity, mediated through technology. Digitalization is no longer merely a tool for problem-solving, nor is it just one sector among many in our lives. The digital realm has become a universe unto itself, where human identity and personality are increasingly convergent and indistinguishable from the physical world. However, the optimism that once viewed digitalization as a liberating force1 is now steadily eroding. While digital transformation once promised openness and equality within the public sphere—facilitating citizen agency by providing marginalized groups with platforms for information, expression, and dissent—the landscape has shifted. Today, digitalization and the powers behind it have become increasingly hegemonic and repressive, alienating individuals from the realization of their fundamental civil rights.

Unchecked by legal and human rights frameworks, digital transformation has introduced new dimensions of vulnerability, including but not limited to: (i) Digital Exclusion: The persistent marginalization of vulnerable groups from development processes due to a lack of internet access, particularly impacting indigenous communities and the elderly;2 (ii) Labor Precarity & Automation: The rise of the gig and sharing economies, which erode labor rights by misclassifying workers as 'partners' or owners of production tools, alongside the growing threat of job displacement driven by Artificial Intelligence (AI), robotics, and other advanced technologies; (iii) Threats to Fundamental Freedoms: Escalating challenges to freedom of expression and the right to privacy within the digital sphere; (iv) Gendered Digital Spaces: The reality that internet-facilitated public squares and social media platforms are not gender-neutral, often perpetuating systemic biases; (v) Information Integrity: The proliferation of disinformation and misinformation, which has intensified social polarization and deepened communal animosity; (vi) Elite Capture of Digital Discourse: The dominance of digital public spaces by capital owners and political elites—compounded by state interventions and platform-level restrictions—effectively silencing the voices of marginalized groups in public conversation.

Furthermore, the digital universe can no longer be viewed as distinct from the physical world through a simple cause-and-effect lens. While digitalization is widely believed to mitigate the exploitation of natural resources—thereby curbing the climate crisis and environmental degradation by reducing travel and energy consumption—it simultaneously acts as a driver of pollution and global warming.

There are at least two primary ecological impacts to consider: (i) virtual activities directly affect the environment, as digital infrastructure relies on energy supplies derived from natural resource exploitation; and (ii) the consumption of digital devices generates significant electronic waste (e-waste). Between 2014 and 2019, global e-waste increased by 21%, reaching 53.6 million metric tons. Alarmingly, only 17% of 2 UN Environment Program, “The growing footprint of digitalisation.” Foresight Brief 027, 2021. this waste was recycled, while over 80% ended up in landfills. This e-waste contains hazardous substances—such as lead, mercury, and arsenic—which pose severe risks to both human health and the environment.

Within the framework of democratic transition and the safeguarding of civil freedoms, the early Reformasi period was characterized by an environment where civil society and student movements could mobilize freely against corruption and economic instability. However, this trajectory has shifted significantly. For more than a decade, civic space has been subjected to both legal and extra-legal constraints. This democratic backsliding is clearly reflected in the diminishing quality of public engagement and the systematic erosion of the platforms through which citizens exercise their rights.4 This decline is driven by an increasingly repressive state approach, characterized by the imposition of restrictions in response to public criticism and dissent. Consequently, Indonesia has regressed across multiple benchmarks, including the democracy index, the corruption perception index, and digital freedom indicators. This trend is further compounded by the instrumentalization of religious identity in electoral politics and mounting pressure on rights holders.

Current grave threats to civic space include, but are not limited to: (i) Judicial Harassment and Criminalization: The increasing ease of intimidation and criminalization targeting legitimate expression, particularly concerning dissent and critiques of government and state authority; (ii) Civic Fragmentation and Polarization: The fracturing of civic space driven by electoral polarization and a lack of substantive efforts to counter disinformation, unlawful hate speech, and threats that exploit sectarian (SARA) sentiments and identity-based animosity; (iii) Corporate Reprisals: The use of Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPP) by extractive industries as a tactic to suppress civil society organizations, human rights and environmental defenders, and community leaders, coercing them into withdrawing their demands and opposition; (iv) Securitization of Civic Space: The proliferation of restrictive regulations and oversight mechanisms that impede the flow and implementation of development assistance and grants; (v) Draconian Governance and Surveillance: Persistent censorship and surveillance measures—often justified under the guise of national ideology, public interest, state security, counter-terrorism, or anti-narcotics efforts—showing no signs of abatement.

In response to the aforementioned context and challenges, and as part of its institutional transformation and development to ensure long-term organizational sustainability, the Institute for Policy Research and Advocacy (ELSAM) has finalized its Theory of Change (ToC) for the 2025–2045 period. The ultimate goal of this framework is to achieve: “An empowered, inclusive, equitable, and technologically adept Indonesian society within a human rights and democratic framework to realize social and ecological justice”. To operationalize the 2025–2045 ToC and the 2025–2030 Strategic Plan, ELSAM is seeking a dedicated professional team with the expertise to realize these visionary goals.

III. Role Purpose
The Deputy Knowledge and Communications serves as the strategic lead for ELSAM’s knowledge production, thought leadership, research, organizational learning, and strategic communications functions. Reporting to the Executive Director, the incumbent ensures that ELSAM’s research and knowledge products are of high analytical, methodological, and ethical quality and are effectively translated into policy narratives, advocacy strategies, and public communication. 4 Civic space is the environment that enables citizens to participate freely and safely in public affairs and to realize their fundamental rights to expression, peaceful assembly, association, and privacy. A healthy civic space, both online and offline, is a prerequisite for good governance, the rule of law, and democracy.

The position is responsible for developing and strengthening ELSAM’s knowledge cycle, encompassing research, learning, documentation, publication, communication, and advocacy. The Deputy Knowledge and Communications ensures that organizational knowledge is systematically managed, shared, and utilized to strengthen ELSAM’s intellectual leadership and influence in public policy discourse.

Working closely with the Deputy Program and program teams, the position also ensures integration between research, project implementation, organizational learning, advocacy, and communication. The incumbent will further strengthen ELSAM’s engagement with research institutions, universities, civil society networks, and other knowledge partners at national and international levels.

IV. Qualifications

1. Master’s degree in Law, Social Sciences, Public Policy, Communications, or a related field;
2. Minimum 10 years of experience in policy research, research-based advocacy, or knowledge management within civil society organizations;
3. Proven experience leading research teams or knowledge units within policy organizations, think tanks, or research institutions;
4. Deep understanding of human rights, democracy, public policy, and relevant developments in Indonesia;
5. Strong analytical and research skills, including the ability to identify knowledge gaps and develop relevant research agendas;
6. Proven ability to produce, edit, and oversee high-quality policy publications, research reports, policy briefs, and public analysis;
7. Demonstrated ability to translate research findings into effective policy narratives and advocacy strategies;
8. Strong understanding and experience in organizational knowledge management and organizational learning;
9. Proven ability to develop strategic communication strategies based on research and evidence;
10. Experience building partnerships with civil society networks, research institutions, universities, and other knowledge partners at national and international levels;
11. Excellent communication and writing skills in Bahasa Indonesia and English;
12. Strong commitment to human rights, democracy, social justice, inclusivity, and ethical research.

V. Key Responsibilities
1. Thought Leadership Strategy and Knowledge Development

• Develop ELSAM’s thought leadership strategy to support the organization’s research and advocacy agenda.
• Identify strategic issues requiring focused knowledge production in line with emerging social, political, and policy developments in Indonesia.
• Guide the organization’s research and learning agenda to ensure alignment with ELSAM’s strategic direction and Theory of Change.
• Ensure that research outputs demonstrate strong analytical quality and relevance to policy advocacy.
• Strengthen ELSAM’s position as an intellectual reference and influential voice in human rights, democracy, and public policy discourse.

2. Knowledge Management and Organizational Learning

• Develop and strengthen systematic organizational knowledge management systems, including knowledge repositories and documentation of organizational learning.
• Ensure that relevant organizational knowledge and information are properly documented, maintained, and accessible to staff, partners, and the public where appropriate.
• Facilitate organizational learning from the implementation of research and advocacy projects.
• Develop mechanisms for knowledge sharing through internal discussions, learning workshops, and cross-unit collaboration.
• Promote a culture of learning and knowledge sharing across the organization.

3. Research and Knowledge Production

• Coordinate ELSAM’s research activities, including independent research and collaborative research with development and knowledge partners.
• Ensure that research processes meet high methodological and ethical standards.
• Guide the development and production of knowledge products, including research reports, policy briefs, analytical articles, and academic publications.
• Ensure consistency and quality in the research and publication process.
• Ensure that research findings are effectively translated into knowledge and evidence that can support policy advocacy and public engagement.

4. Strategic Communication and Advocacy Narrative

• Lead the development of ELSAM’s strategic public communication approach.
• Ensure that advocacy messages are grounded in strong research and translated into clear, relevant, and compelling policy narratives.
• Oversee the development and dissemination of public communication materials, including publications, infographics, digital campaigns, and media materials.
• Strengthen ELSAM’s visibility and presence in public discourse through media engagement, policy forums, and civil society networks.
• Ensure consistency of organizational messages across different communication platforms and audiences.

5. Collaboration and Cross-Unit Coordination

• Work closely with the Deputy Program and program teams to ensure integration between research, project implementation, organizational learning, advocacy, and communication.
• Support the development of organizational advocacy strategies by utilizing research findings and organizational learning.
• Coordinate with the communications and campaign function to ensure consistency between research findings, advocacy objectives, and public messaging.
• Facilitate collaboration between knowledge, research, program, and communication functions across the organization.

6. External Engagement and Knowledge Partnerships

• Represent ELSAM in academic forums, policy conferences, public discussions, and national and international knowledge networks.
• Develop and maintain partnerships with research institutions, universities, civil society organizations, and other knowledge partners.
• Identify opportunities for collaborative research and knowledge production that can strengthen ELSAM’s intellectual capacity and advocacy influence.
• Strengthen ELSAM’s engagement and contribution to national and international policy and knowledge networks.

VI. Position Structure

• Location : Jakarta, Indonesia, with occasional domestic and international travel
• Contract Type: Full-time, Fixed-Term Contract (Annual, renewable based on performance)
• Working Language: Bahasa Indonesia and English
• Reports to: Executive Director
• Supervises: Knowledge Hub Lead, Research Officer, Communications and Campaign Officer.
• Key Internal Collaboration: Deputy Program, program teams, and other relevant organizational units
• Start Date: November 2026

VII. Applications
Interested candidates are invited to submit the following application materials to https://elris.elsam.or.id/job-vacancy by no later than October 31, 2026.
ELSAM is an equal opportunity employer. Applications from women, persons with disabilities, and individuals from marginalized backgrounds are highly encouraged. ELSAM offers a competitive salary and benefits package, including health insurance and professional development opportunities.
Only shortlisted candidates will be notified.