Job Vacancy: Program Officer for Communication and Campaign

Contract : Annual Contract, Full time 

Location : Jakarta - Indonesia

Reports to : (1) Executive Director (Strategic Report); and (2) Report and Delivery Manager (Day to Day Report)

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 Communication and Campaign Program Officer serves as the organization’s primary storyteller and public advocate, bridging the gap between complex human rights policy research and public action. The purpose of this role is to design and execute innovative, data-driven, and high-impact campaigns across digital and multimedia platforms. By producing high-quality bilingual content—from investigative feature articles to engaging podcasts and videos—this role aims to amplify marginalized voices, influence public discourse, and mobilize diverse audiences toward achieving social and ecological justice in alignment with the organization’s long-term mission. 

Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree in any major, though a degree in Communications is preferred;
• Minimum of 2 years of experience as a Campaigner (submission of a portfolio or samples of previous campaign materials is mandatory);
• Solid understanding of public issues and policy-making processes, particularly within the human rights framework;
• Proven ability to transform complex policy issues into engaging and impactful public campaigns;
• Experience in managing and optimizing various social media platforms for public advocacy, incl. website management as a central hub for knowledge sharing;
• Experience in organizing initiatives to enhance communication strategies, including the production of multimedia content such as podcasts and videos;
• Excellent bilingual communication skills (written and verbal) with a proven ability to draft high-quality, structured feature articles in both languages.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and under pressure;
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, characterized by a professional demeanor, a positive attitude, and an open-minded approach that embraces diversity and inclusivity;
• A strong passion for NGO work and social activism, coupled with high dedication and a commitment to long-term organizational development.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Campaign Development & Advocacy

• Design and execute impactful public campaigns that translate complex policy issues into accessible and engaging narratives for a broad audience.
• Leverage a solid understanding of human rights frameworks and Indonesian policy-making processes to ensure campaign goals align with organizational advocacy targets.
• Demonstrate a high level of social activism and dedication to long-term organizational development through strategic public engagement.

Digital Ecosystem & Social Media Management

• Manage and optimize the organization's social media presence to drive public awareness and advocacy participation.
• Maintain and oversee the organization's website as a central hub for knowledge sharing, ensuring content is updated and user-friendly.
• Analyze digital trends to enhance the reach and impact of online advocacy initiatives.
• Adhere to organizational digital security protocols when managing public-facing platforms and sensitive advocacy data. 

Multimedia Content Production

• Lead the production of diverse multimedia content, including podcasts and videos, from conceptualization to final output.
• Organize and implement new strategies to modernize and strengthen the organization's communication channels.
• Curate and maintain a high standard of visual and audio-visual campaign materials.

High-Level Bilingual Writing & Journalism

• Research and draft high-quality, structured feature articles in both English and Bahasa Indonesia that provide deep insights into social and political issues.
• Act as the primary voice for the organization, ensuring all written and verbal communications are professional, persuasive, and accurately translated.

Professionalism & Collaboration

• Manage projects with minimal supervision, demonstrating the ability to meet strict deadlines under high-pressure environments.
• Foster a collaborative environment by maintaining a professional demeanor and an open-minded approach that embraces diversity and inclusivity (DEI).

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 C&C by no later than January 5, 2026. 

• Cover Letter (no longer than one page)
• Resume or curriculum vitae (CV)
• Portfolio or samples of previous campaign materials (in PDF or link YouTube, Spotify, etc)

Please name your files using the format: Name_CV_CC and Name_CL_CC. 

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 for the interview and bilingual writing test.