Job Vacancy: Program Officer

Contract : Annual Contract, Full time 

Location : Jakarta - Indonesia

Reports to : Report and Delivery Manager

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 Program Officer is responsible for the effective execution and management of project cycles to advance the organization’s human rights and advocacy goals. The purpose of this role is to design and implement impactful programmatic initiatives—including workshop facilitation, module development, and field research—while ensuring rigorous monitoring, evaluation, and grant compliance. By integrating GEDSI (Gender, Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion) frameworks into every project phase and maintaining strategic networks with government and civil society stakeholders, the Program Officer ensures that all interventions are inclusive, sustainable, and delivered to the highest professional standards. 

Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree in any field (Law or Political Science preferred).
• Minimum 2 years in non-profit management; proven track record in organizing workshops, curriculum and module development, and research;
• Strong understanding of human rights principles, advocacy/research, and GEDSI (Gender, Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion) issues;
• Proficient in Project Cycle Management (PCM), including developing M&E frameworks and managing administrative/grant reporting;
• Proficiency in computer applications (Microsoft Office Suite/Google Workspace/cloud-based collaboration tools) and virtual communication platforms.
• Good communication skills in both Bahasa Indonesia and English;
• Proven ability to build and maintain professional networks with government stakeholders, CSOs, local communities and donors agencies;
• Professional demeanor with a positive attitude and a strong collaborative/teamwork orientation;
• Proven ability to work effectively under pressure, meet tight deadlines, and work with minimal supervision.

Key Responsibilities:

Project Management & Operational Excellence

• Manage and execute all phases of the Project Cycle Management (PCM), from initial planning and activity implementation to monitoring, evaluation, learning (MEL), and sustainability planning. 
• Lead the design and development of training curricula, educational modules, and toolkits focused on human rights and social justice.
• Organize and facilitate high-quality workshops, seminars, and training sessions for diverse stakeholders, ensuring effective knowledge transfer.
• Ensure rigorous administrative compliance and timely submission of high-quality narrative and financial reports to donor agencies.
• Support the identification and mitigation of project-related risks, particularly those concerning the safety of community partners and human rights defenders.

Research & Advocacy Integration

• Conduct and supervise qualitative/quantitative research initiatives to support policy briefs and advocacy positions.
• Systematically integrate Gender, Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) principles into all project designs, activities, and internal processes.
• Apply a deep understanding of human rights principles to support the development of advocacy strategies at the local and national levels.

Stakeholder Engagement & Networking

• Proactively build and maintain professional relationships with government officials, CSO networks, community leaders, and international donors.
• Act as a focal point for coordination between internal teams and external partners to ensure synergetic project delivery.
• Represent the organization in relevant forums, working groups, and meetings with a professional demeanor and mission-aligned attitude.

Digital Productivity & Communication

• Produce structured and persuasive project documents, reports, and communication materials in both English and Bahasa Indonesia.
• Leverage Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, and cloud-based collaboration tools to maintain organized project data and streamline team workflows.
• Manage and facilitate virtual meetings and webinars using advanced communication platforms to ensure seamless remote collaboration.

Professionalism & Performance

• Execute complex tasks with minimal supervision, demonstrating strong self-motivation and the ability to navigate fast-paced environments.
• Prioritize multiple competing tasks to meet tight project deadlines without compromising the quality of outputs.
• Foster a positive and collaborative team environment characterized by respect for diversity and a commitment to social justice.

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: Program Officer 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_PO and Name_CL_PO. 

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.