Minimum Service Standard (MSS) Strengthening Manager

Location: Jakarta
APPLICATIONS CLOSE Wednesday, 24 September 2025, 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 MSS Strengthening Manager supports the planning, coordination, and quality assurance of Minimum Service Standards (MSS) activities at national and subnational levels so that SKALA’s objectives are achieved efficiently and coherently.  

​The Manager operates under the strategic direction of the PFM & MSS Lead, who holds accountability for portfolio strategy, partner engagement, and final technical approvals. The Manager works collaboratively with the MSS Senior Manager to align priorities, sequence activities, and maintain coherence between national policy work and subnational implementation.  

​The role collaborates with national and provincial teams and works closely with Operations & Finance, Knowledge Management & Partnerships (KMP), and MERL & Performance to ensure delivery is compliant, value for money (VFM), and evidence-based.

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

https://tinyurl.com/3tphxhxs

About You

Specific Responsibilities 

Engagement & Coordination 

• ​​Support MSS policy engagement with relevant GoI ministries/agencies and DFAT; encourage national and subnational ownership.  
• ​Coordinate with program partners and Australian-funded initiatives to leverage synergies and avoid duplication.  
• ​Provide inputs to program governance mechanisms (e.g., steering/technical groups) and act on agreed directions from the PFM & MSS Lead. 
• ​Develop/nurture strong and productive working relationships with other organisations delivering Australian investments and programs in Indonesia. 
• ​Promote broad-based public dialogue on key themes including poverty and community development / decentralisation issues.​ 

Implementation & Quality Assurance (QA) 

• ​​Contribute to annual/quarterly MSS work-planning aligned to SKALA program logic and GoI/DFAT priorities. 
• ​Coordinate day-to-day implementation of assigned MSS activities (central and provincial) to agreed timelines, budgets, and quality standards. 
• ​Conduct technical reviews of outputs and escalate for final QA/approval to the PFM & MSS Lead. 
• ​Provide management assistance to the implementation of SKALA’s activities related to local government planning & budgeting at the national and subnational level, as agreed to in the workplan.  

Program Management & Resourcing 

• Coordinate inputs across national and provincial teams; identify resource needs and scheduling risks; escalate constraints early. 
• Prepare & monitor activity budgets/forecasts and documentation (VFM, audit-ready). 
• Compile progress updates, briefs, and knowledge products as directed. 
• Assist PFM-MSS unit to ensure program activities are undertaken as per work plan, on time, of good quality, within budget and compliant with relevant manuals, policies and procedures. 

Planning, Performance & Learning 

• Work with Governance, Strategy and Quality unit on activity design, work-planning, and alignment to outcomes. 
• Support MERL & Performance on MEL requirements, data collection, contribution analysis, after-action reviews, and learning loops. 
• Provide timely and quality reports, documentation and knowledge products, as required. 

Operations Interface (P&C / Finance / Event Support / Procurement & Admin) 

• Coordinate through the Operations & Finance Team for all MSS-related operational needs, working with the respective units as follows: 
  • People & Culture (P&C): staffing inputs, consultant coordination, and compliance with HR policies and procedures. 
  • Finance: budgeting, cash advances and acquittals, forecasts, and timely payment processing with complete supporting documents. 
  • Event Support: planning and delivery of MSS-related event logistics (venues, travel, accommodation, materials) aligned to standards and lead times. 
  • Procurement & Admin: procurement planning and execution (TOR/specs, RFQs, evaluations, service orders/contracts), records management, and value-for-money (VfM). 
• Ensure all files are complete, compliant, and audit-ready, meeting SKALA/DT Global/DFAT documentation requirements. 
• Assist in managing financial resources related to local government planning & budgeting works, responsible for managing the budget and regularly providing a realistic forecast. 

People & Partner Management 

• Coordinate assignments for short-term advisers/consultants and provincial counterparts involved in MSS activities; clarify scopes and deliverables. 
• Contribute to team performance processes (goal setting, feedback) within the PFM&MSS Unit. 
• Assist in the need of skill development and mentoring plans with the PFM Unit to build capacity in areas of identified need to support improved Program implementation.  

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. 
• 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 

​​Works closely with GoI counterparts, DFAT, SKALA national and provincial teams, DT Global corporate team, and external providers. Reports to the PFM & MSS Lead and may receive day-to-day technical guidance from the MSS Senior Manager.​ 

Selection Criteria 

Essential 

• ​​Tertiary qualifications in public policy/administration, governance, planning and budgeting, public finance, or related field​  
• ​​7+ years relevant experience delivering governance/service-delivery programs (MSS or related policy areas), including coordination across national–subnational levels​  
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate implementation and support QA of multi-stakeholder activities to deadlines and budget. 
• A demonstrated understanding of Indonesia’s decentralisation processes, including relevant laws, policies, regulations, and the political economy of the sector. 
• Strong engagement skills with GoI counterparts and development partners; ability to broker consensus and maintain relationships. 
• Experience with program management fundamentals (work-planning, budgeting/forecasting, procurement coordination, risk analysis, and reporting). 
• Strong written/oral communication in Bahasa Indonesia and working proficiency in English; excellent coordination and problem-solving skills. 
• Commitment to GEDSI principles and inclusive practice. 

Preferred 

• ​​Experience with DFAT-funded programs and familiarity with DFAT policies/procedures.​  
• Experience supporting MEL (contribution analysis, case studies, data quality). 

HOW TO APPLY
Click the ‘Apply Now’ button.

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

APPLICATIONS CLOSE Wednesday, 24 September 2025, 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.