Research Manager

Location Jakarta, Indonesia
APPLICATIONS CLOSE – 31^st of May 2024, 5 PM Jakarta Time

Program Background

The SKALA Program is a significant Australian investment designed to help Indonesia address regional disparities in development. SKALA will contribute to this objective by strengthening selected elements of Indonesia’s large and complex decentralised government system responsible for the delivery of basic services (Layanan Dasar). The SKALA Program’s core approach is to facilitate better collaboration (Kolaborasi) between Indonesian government stakeholders, at national and subnational levels, to help realise synergies (Sinergi) that will trigger improved service delivery. Moreover, SKALA will build on, and take to scale, the successes and learning from Australia’s previous 19 years of support to Indonesia’s decentralised government system. The SKALA Program is to be implemented through the following three pillars:

• Pillar 1: Stronger national level enabling environment for sub-national service delivery
• Pillar 2: Better sub-national governance for service delivery
• Pillar 3: Greater participation, representation and influence for women, people with disabilities and vulnerable groups

SKALA is implemented at the national level with an office in Jakarta and at the subnational level with offices in Aceh, Nusa Tenggara Barat, Nusa Tenggara Timur, Maluku, Gorontalo, Kalimantan Utara, Tanagh Papua. In addition to the 3 pillars, SKALA works across 4 general themes of Public Financial Management, Minimum Service Standards, Data and Analysis and GEDSI.

About DT Global

DT Global is shaping a future where sustainable development and innovation empower individuals, communities, and nations. We work in partnership with local stakeholders to foster inclusive prosperity, social equity, and environmental stewardship. Our global team of 2,500 staff and experts work in over 90 countries to solve complex problems in the peacebuilding, governance, economic development, environment, and human development sectors. With a track record of technical excellence and more than 60 years of international development experience and relationships, we deliver innovative solutions that transform lives.

For more information, please see www.dt-global.com

The Role
The Research Manager  is a member of the SKALA MERL & Performance Team and will work closely with the MERL & Performance Director and the Research Lead in supporting the consistent and high-quality implementation of the Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) system across the program.  

Along with the Research Lead, the Research Manager will provide research support for SKALA activities, both at the national level and in all subnational work areas. The Research Manager will work to ensure SKALA’s Research agenda execution and maintaining a strong MERL Community of Practice.

Click on the link or copy paste it to access the full Terms of Reference for this position: 

https://tinyurl.com/4epabh7k

About You

Specific Responsibilities 

• Support the Research Lead to identify, design, manage and quality assure targeted technical studies to inform SKALA’s programming and support SKALA’s implementation of Monitoring and Evaluation system. 
• Manage and coordinate Research STAs and/or sub-contractors/grantees in the research agenda execution, including providing technical oversight and quality assurance of technical experts works and develop research TOR as needed. 
• In collaboration with the broader MERL & Performance Team, support the national technical team in the implementation of the MERL Plan, in line with identified needs.  
• Work and coordinate with SKALA’s MEL, Implementation and Policy and Advocacy teams to ensure smooth coordination, communication and data sharing between SKALA units. 
• Manage SKALA MERL Panel  
• Assist Research Lead to develop knowledge sharing and other collaborative activities with MERL team stakeholders 

Other duties 

• Comply with DFAT, DT Global and SKALA policies on gender, disability, fraud and anticorruption, child protection, PSEAH and the environment.  
• Ensure compliance and adherence to various operational policies, guidelines and manuals issued by DT Global and SKALA.  
• Proactively identify and report risks and manage risks within your level of accountability. 
• Undertake other duties as required by the Program 

Job Requirements 

• Work environment involves only infrequent exposure to disagreeable elements and minor physical exertion and/or strain. 
• Work may require long, and flexible hours as needed. Travel is based on need.

Relationship Management 

This position reports to the Research Lead and will work closely and effectively with a range of stakeholders, including all other MERL& Performance team, Policy & Advocacy team, Implementation team, Operations team and the DT Global corporate team.   

Selection Criteria

You will be a motivated and proactive research professional with the right combination of technical expertise, experience supporting teams, an attention to detail, and a positive and collaborative attitude. 

Essential 

• Postgraduate qualifications in social sciences, economics, statistics, public policy, or other relevant disciplines (research and methodological experience required).  
• At least 8 – 10 years in designing, conducting, commissioning, or managing academic or policy research in the field of public sector economics, public financial management, fiscal decentralisation and public governance. 
• Demonstrated experience and strong understanding of Indonesian government architecture and issues related to basic service provision, decentralization, and local governance.  
• Demonstrated prior academic or consulting experience in research design, both quantitative and qualitative. 
• Prior experience in the use of statistical programming and statistical software including open-source software such as R, Python, or Stata. 
• Strong understanding of available Indonesian surveys data sets (eg. Susenas, Podes, Sakernas, Sensus) and demonstrated experience of its utilization for research purposes.  
• Ability to work independently and to meet tight deadlines. 
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills in English and ability to communicate with a wide range of stakeholders from diverse backgrounds. 

Desirable 

• Prior experience and understanding in utilizing basic statistics, probability, regression, statistical learning, statistical inference is highly desirable. 
• Experience work and/or cooperation with the Government of Indonesia especially Bappenas, Ministry of Finance, and Ministry of Home Affairs, Local Government at Provincial and District level, and development partners is an advantage. 
• Understanding of the potential use of big data, artificial intelligence, and machine learning in the context of improvement of public sector governance is an advantage. 

Remuneration
Successful Indonesian nationals will be engaged under a national contract in IDR and will be subject to Indonesian employment regulations and tax obligations.

HOW TO APPLY
Click the ‘Apply Now’ button.

Please submit
Your CV combined in 1 file with a cover letter addressing the essential selection criteria (maximum 2 pages)

  
APPLICATIONS CLOSE – 31^st of May 2024, 5 PM Jakarta Time
  
Should this role be of interest, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.  Kindly note only shortlisted applicants will be contacted