Indonesia: Program Director, Innovation for Indonesia’s School Children

Palladium develops and delivers solutions that create positive impact for communities, businesses, societies and economies. We transform lives and create enduring value by working with governments, corporations and non-profit organisations. Palladium is built on the idea that progress will be supported by four key pillars:

• International Development


• Strategy Execution Consulting


• Impact Investment


• Training and Events We create positive impact through more than 100 current projects with more than 2000 employees operating in over 90 countries.

Background
Over the past decade, Indonesia has substantially increased its spending on education and now many more millions of children are in school. There is a significant void in knowledge about what teachers in Indonesia are teaching in the classroom, what the primary constraints they face are, and how teaching quality can be more efficiently and effectively improved. The Government of Australia (GOA), through the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), is seeking to assist the Government of Indonesia (GOI) to fill this void by establishing Innovation for Indonesia’s School Children (INOVASI).

The Program
INOVASI is an ambitious new four-year (with the possibility of an extension for another four), AUD 49million program. It will collaborate closely with the GOI at the district, provincial and national level to develop and implement action-oriented research and pilots to answer the broad question:”What works to improve student learning outcomes in Indonesia?” It will focus on three sub-topics of investigation: the quality of teaching in the classroom, the quality of support for teachers, and learning for all. INOVASI is managed by Palladium on behalf of DFAT, and will formally start on 18 January 2016.

The Role
The key role of the Program Director is to be the Strategic Leader for INOVASI, establishing and guiding the implementation of a vision that is aligned with DFAT objectives and priorities, is grounded in the political and institutional reality of Indonesia, draws on best practice in school improvement and organisational change while being responsive to diverse circumstances and capacity.

The position is long-term and based in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Establish the vision and assume overall leadership of the INOVASI program;


• Serve as the primary liaison with DFAT, key GoI stakeholders, and other donors, partners, and stakeholders;


• Provide overall strategic, technical, programmatic, financial and management guidance and support for project activities;


• Ensure that program outputs are delivered in a timely manner, that higher-level objectives and outcomes are met and that all financial, operational, and reporting requirements of DFAT are fulfilled to a high degree;


• Oversee a complex program of research, pilot and analytical activities that is implemented across a range of locations and focused on identifying affordable, local solutions to improving student learning;


• Build a culture within the INOVASI team of using lessons learned to support continuous improvement.
  A full Terms of Reference for the position is available here.

The Requirements
The successful candidate will:

• Advanced degree in education or relevant development subject or appropriate tertiary qualification and significant, relevant experience in education;


• Over 15 years of professional experience managing donor funded programs;


• Be a strategic leader with in-depth knowledge and experience of Indonesia’s institutional structures and key stakeholders, preferably in the education system.


• Proven experience working in sensitive situations, challenging policy environments, and within institutions / ministries with similar context to Indonesia.


• To have highly developed stakeholder engagement, communication and relationship management skills.


• To have highly developed strategic planning skills and experience leading complex development programs and leading an effective cross-cultural team.


• Experience with DFAT or other development agency work, preferably within the education sector;


• Fluency in written and spoken Bahasa Indonesia is highly desirableBenefits
  This position will be remunerated in line with the Australian Government’s Adviser Remuneration Framework (ARF) and will fall within Discipline Group D, Job Level 4.

The successful candidate will be offered a competitive package including a living allowance, housing allowance, a contribution towards children’s school fees, and mobilisation costs. Remuneration is in AUD.

Palladium is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to Child Protection in all fields. Any offer of employment will be subject to criminal history clearances.

Indonesian Nationals with relevant experience and qualifications are encouraged to apply for this position.