Provincial Communication Consultant – Aceh

Location: Aceh
APPLICATIONS CLOSE Thursday, 29^th January 2026. Max 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, Tanah 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 Asia Pacific

At DT Global Asia Pacific, we aim to positively impact people’s lives through delivery excellence. As a leading implementing partner across Asia and the Pacific, we co-create locally led solutions in partnership with governments, communities, and stakeholders. We bring together talented teams and deep regional expertise to deliver initiatives that promote inclusive economic growth, essential services, and resilient, secure communities. With over 1,500 staff, experts in 22+ countries and more than 60 years of development experience, we tackle complex community, national and transnational challenges — from governance and justice systems to climate resilience, infrastructure and social equity — with innovative thinking and a commitment to long-term impact.

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

The Role
​​​​The Provincial Communications Consultant provides practical communications support to the Strategic Communications Unit, supporting the Unit’s coordination and delivery of communications from the provincial level. Working closely with the Strategic Communications Unit, the role strengthens the Unit’s capacity to deliver effective, coherent, and responsive communications support at the provincial level. The role focuses on capturing and gathering communications materials and narratives arising from SKALA’s implementation at the provincial level, ensuring that key activities, results, and perspectives are documented from a communications perspective.

The consultant supports the collection of communications inputs such as quotes, short narratives, human interest angles, visuals, and evidence of results from programme implementation. These inputs inform communication products, public-facing content, and knowledge materials developed by the Strategic Communications Unit. In addition, the consultant supports media engagement at the provincial level by coordinating with local media, facilitating interviews, preparing basic media background materials, and supporting media access to programme activities and stakeholders when required.

By being embedded at the provincial level, the consultant helps surface timely and credible communications materials, strengthens relationships with local media, and reduces the communications and documentation burden on provincial programme staff. This enables clearer visibility of SKALA’s work and results to government counterparts, media, donors, and broader audiences.

The role is based in Aceh Province, with the scope of work covering the entire province. It involves regular field visits to programme sites and engagement with local government counterparts. The role also involves coordinating communications and media-related activities with the media and partners​​​.

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

https://tinyurl.com/mrxuh5s4

About You

Specific Responsibilities

• Provincial Communications Support
  Provide day-to-day communications support to provincial teams, ensuring programme activities, results, and key developments are captured from a communications perspective and aligned with broader organisational messaging.

• Capture and Gathering of Communications Materials
  Support the collection of communications inputs from provincial implementation, including activity highlights, stakeholder perspectives, quotes, human interest angles, visuals, and evidence of results, to inform communications products developed by the Strategic Communications Unit.

• Provincial Media Engagement and Coordination
  Support media engagement at the provincial level by liaising with local media outlets, coordinating interview requests, facilitating media access to programme activities, and assisting with the preparation of basic media background materials, in coordination with the Strategic Communications Unit.

• Documentation and Visual Content Support
  Capture and organise photos, short video clips, and other documentation from programme activities and events to support communications, media materials, and donor-facing outputs.

• Event Communications Support
  Provide on-the-ground communications support for provincial events, including media coordination, documentation, and communications-related logistics, to ensure consistent and professional public-facing engagement.

• Communications Coordination and Message Alignment
  Work closely with the Jakarta-based Strategic Communications Unit and provincial programme teams to provide timely communications inputs from the province, support the adaptation of key messages to local contexts, and serve as a provincial focal point for communications and media-related matters.

• Coordination and Reporting to Strategic Communications Lead
  Work under the direction of, and report to, the Strategic Communications Lead based in Jakarta, while being embedded within the provincial team. Serve as a key link between provincial implementation and the central communications function, ensuring timely information flow, message alignment, and responsiveness to communications priorities.

Other Duties

• Provide basic support for written communication needs, such as preparing simple event highlights, captions or short summaries, on an ad hoc basis.
• Ensure full compliance with DFAT, DT Global and SKALA policies relating to gender, disability, fraud and anti-corruption, child protection, PSEAH and environmental safeguards.
• Adhere to relevant operational policies, guidelines and manuals issued by DT Global and SKALA.
• Connect with Communications Consultants in other SKALA provinces for peer learning and idea-sharing.
• Participate in provincial consultant network calls (monthly) to share lessons and coordinate messaging.
• Contribute to SKALA-wide communications and KMP.

Job Requirements

• Based in the assigned province of Aceh, with occasional travel to outside Banda Aceh.
• The work environment may involve occasional exposure to outdoor conditions and minor physical exertion.
• The role may require flexible working hours and occasional extended hours, depending on programme and event needs. Travel will be undertaken as required.
• The consultant is expected to have their own equipment to produce deliverables, including a laptop or PC with relevant software, as well as basic photography and documentation equipment.
• The consultant is expected to have writing skills and the ability to produce clear, accurate, and well-structured written outputs, including event summaries, stories, and other communications materials aligned with Strategic Communications requirements.
• Capacity in photography and videography is considered an added advantage but is not mandatory.

Deliverables   

• Monthly Provincial Communications Input Plan / Content Calendar
  A monthly overview of planned and potential communications materials aligned with provincial programme activities, events, and key milestones.

• Communications Materials and Narrative Inputs
  Draft communications inputs derived from provincial implementation, including short narratives, key messages, quotes, human interest angles, and summaries of results, to support the development of communication products by the Strategic Communications Unit.

• Provincial Media Contact List and Liaison Support
  An up-to-date list of local media contacts (print, online, and broadcast), including key editors and reporters, and ongoing liaison to support media coordination and engagement activities, in line with guidance from the Strategic Communications Unit.

• Photography and Visual Documentation
  Working independently or in coordination with vendors, produce a set of good-quality, up-to-date photographs and basic visual materials from programme activities and events. Materials should be organised by theme and component, clearly titled and tagged with basic metadata (date, location, activity), with consent documentation completed where required.

• Event Communications Support Materials
  Communications support inputs for provincial events, including background notes, draft key messages, information on local speakers, and basic media background materials, prepared in coordination with the Strategic Communications Unit.

Relationship Management

Reporting to the Strategic Communications Lead in Jakarta, the Provincial Communication Consultant will work closely with the Strategic Communications team and relevant Provincial Programme Teams within SKALA. They will also coordinate with the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Unit, Gender Equality and Disability Inclusion (GEDSI) Unit, Provincial Implementation Teams and other operational units under the supervision of the Strategic Communications team.

Selection Criteria

Essential

• Domicile in Banda Aceh
• Minimum bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (e.g. Communication, Visual Communication Design, Multimedia, Social Studies, Journalism, or a related discipline).
• Minimum 2 years of professional communications experience (in journalism, programme communications or development).
• Demonstrated experience and a portfolio of published writing or media placements.
• Previous experience in the development, humanitarian or social impact sector.
• Proven ability to produce high-quality photography and photo editing. Ability in graphic design and/or video editing would be a bonus.
• Demonstrated engagement with local media or government relations.
• Knowledge of ethical communication practices, GEDSI-sensitive documentation, branding standards and responsible data handling.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, multicultural environment. Proactively identifies stories and opportunities and doesn’t wait for direction on routine tasks.

Preferred

• Experience with DFAT-funded programmes or similar large-scale development programmes.
• Ability to write clear, compelling and structurally sound articles (1,500–3,000 words) as well as shorter formats such as press releases, website article posts and briefing notes.
• Skilled at listening for powerful narratives and identifying quotes that illuminate impact.
• Proficiency with a camera (DSLR or quality smartphone) and an understanding of basic photo editing.
• Ability to verify information, integrate data into narratives and ensure accuracy.
• Understands the local context, communication norms and cross-cultural communication. Respects beneficiary dignity and agency.
• Familiarity with development programming, beneficiary-centred approaches and impact accountability.
• Meets deadlines and maintains quality standards. Represents the organisation professionally in all interactions.

HOW TO APPLY
Click the ‘Apply Now’ button.

Please submit
1) Your CV
2) A cover letter addressing the selection criteria

APPLICATIONS CLOSE Thursday, 29^th January 2026. Max 5 PM Jakarta Time. 

Encouraging applications from people with disabilities 
As part of our commitment to inclusion, we actively encourage applications from people with disabilities (PWDs). We are also committed to providing reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process and in the workplace to support the success and well-being of employees with disabilities. Candidates requiring any adjustments to participate equitably, may contact SKALA People & Culture unit at recruitment@skala.or.id and we will work with the candidate to find the right solution. This information is strictly confidential; used solely to strengthen our inclusive hiring efforts and ensure we provide any support needed. Your disclosure will not impact on recruitment decisions. 
   

Should this role be of interest, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.  Kindly note only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. 

DT Global is committed to child protection and safeguarding the welfare of children in the delivery of our international development programs. We are committed to Safety and the Prevention of Sexual Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH), and bribery prevention. DT Global is an equal opportunity employer and we encourage women, men, people with diverse backgrounds and people living with disabilities to apply. This program is funded by the Australian Government and Managed by DT Global.