Senior Writer Indonesia

Location: Jakarta
APPLICATIONS CLOSE Tuesday, 6^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
This position is a short-term consultancy (STC) for 180 days between February – November 2026. The Senior Writer Indonesia will be embedded within the Communications Team to deliver high-quality written products that translate SKALA’s technical work into clear, compelling, development-focused narratives. This role champions evidence-based storytelling, ensuring SKALA’s governance reforms, GEDSI integration, SPM strengthening, data systems, and provincial achievements are captured through polished, human-centred content.

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

https://tinyurl.com/ye23wazh

About You

Specific Responsibilities

• Document activities, milestones, and achievements across national and subnational workstreams.
• Produce development-oriented written outputs, including success stories, knowledge pieces, feature articles, reports, and external-facing briefs.
• Synthesise findings and translate technical inputs into accessible narratives for government partners, DFAT, and wider development stakeholders.
• Support the creation of advocacy materials that highlight program progress and good practices.
• Ensure consistency with SKALA’s messaging framework, tone, and evidence-based positioning.
• Work collaboratively with technical leads, provincial teams, and implementing partners to extract insights and validate information.

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.

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.

Deliverables

• Drafts of reports, briefs, and narrative sections requiring polished editorial support.
• Compelling success stories featuring local champions and governance innovations.

Relationship Management

The Senior Writer will work closely with the various team in SKALA and may include with government counterpart as well as key ministries. This position will report to the Communications Lead.

Selection Criteria

Essential

• Master’s degree in a relevant discipline and minimum of 15 years professional experience (preferably in DFAT-funded program), or equivalent combination of education and experience.  
• Good understanding and familiarity in development issues, preferably including governance and social protection; a background in journalism would be an asset.  
• Excellent writing skills and proven ability to write compelling articles or stories based on complex issues materials.
• Ability to work swiftly and effectively under pressure, prioritise and juggle multiple tasks within tight deadlines, and to deliver time-sensitive high-quality work.
• Strong interpersonal and teamwork skills; sensitive to working in a multicultural environment.
• Fluency in English is a must.

Preferred

• Candidates with a background in media, journalism, or editorial writing

HOW TO APPLY
Click the ‘Apply Now’ button.

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

APPLICATIONS CLOSE Tuesday, 6^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.