Job Vacancy: Deputy Project Delivery

Contract : Annual Contract, Full time 

Location : Jakarta - Indonesia

Reports to : Executive Director

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 force 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; (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 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. 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. 

Role Purpose: 

The Deputy Project Delivery serves as a strategic lead for the organization’s programmatic portfolio, bridging advanced project management with a deep-rooted commitment to human rights and transparency. Reporting to the Executive Director, the incumbent provides senior-level oversight for grant compliance and multi-stakeholder alliances, ensuring that research and policy outputs drive systemic change. Through rigorous financial stewardship and team leadership, this role secures the organization’s impact and sustainability in Indonesia’s social and ecological justice sector.

Qualifications: 

• Master’s degree in International Development, Public Policy, Social Sciences, Management, or a related field;
• 7–10 years in CSO project management, incl. 3+ years in senior leadership;
• Deep knowledge of Human Rights instruments, research, and advocacy frameworks (Indonesian advocate license is a plus);
• Proven track record in overseeing complex, multi-stakeholder programs from planning to M&E and reporting;
• Proven expertise in large-scale grant management and donor compliance;
• Advanced skills in budgeting, financial monitoring, and cost-effective project delivery of high-quality project outputs;
• Ability to implement quality control & risk mitigation across multiple projects;
• Exceptional ability to lead and mentor diverse teams, fostering a culture of accountability and high performance;
• Demonstrated success in building strategic alliances with government, communities, and CSO networks;
• Excellent bilingual communication skills (English and Bahasa Indonesia) with the ability to produce high-level technical reports and policy briefs;
• Proficiency in project management software (e.g., MS Project etc) and advanced data management tools;
• Deep commitment to human rights, social justice, transparency, inclusivity, and long-term organizational development.
   

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership & Organizational Development

• Lead and mentor diverse teams, fostering a culture of accountability, inclusivity, and high performance.
• Drive long-term organizational development aligned with the core values of human rights, transparency, social and ecological justice.
• Utilize deep knowledge of Human Rights instruments and advocacy frameworks to influence policy and drive research-based initiatives.

Programmatic Oversight & Quality Assurance 

• Oversee the full lifecycle of complex, multi-stakeholder programs, from strategic planning through to Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) and reporting.
• Implement rigorous quality control and risk mitigation strategies across multiple concurrent projects to ensure high-quality outputs.
• Leverage project management software (e.g., MS Project) and advanced data management tools to maintain operational efficiency and data integrity.

Financial Stewardship & Grant Compliance

• Execute advanced budgeting and financial monitoring to ensure cost-effective delivery of high-quality project outputs and milestones.
• Manage large-scale grants with strict adherence to international and domestic donor regulations and reporting standards.

Stakeholder Engagement & Communication

• Develop and maintain high-level partnerships with government agencies, local communities, and CSO networks.
• Produce and lead the team in developing high-level technical reports, policy briefs, and advocacy materials in both English and Bahasa Indonesia. 

Position Structure:

• Location: Jakarta (with occasional domestic and international travel)
• Contract Type: Full-time, Fixed-Term Contract (Annual, renewable based on performance)
• Working Language: Bahasa Indonesia and English
• Start Date: End Of February 2026

Applications:

Interested candidates should submit the following materials to rekrutmen@elsam.or.id with the subject line: Deputy Project Delivery by no later than January 5, 2026. 

• Cover Letter (no longer than one page)
• Resume or curriculum vitae (CV)

Please name your files using the format: Name_CV_DeputyPD and Name_CL_DeputyPD. 

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.