Careers

Swisscontact is an international development organisation established in 1959 by representatives of the Swiss private sector and civil society. We foster inclusive economic development by strengthening skills, fostering private sector-led enterprise development, and advancing sustainable, climate-resilient growth. Through our work in developing and emerging economies, we aim to create opportunities for individuals and businesses to grow, innovate and succeed, contributing to more equitable and prosperous communities.

In Indonesia, Swisscontact has been active for more than five decades, implementing projects that foster skills development, entrepreneurship and value chains strengthening for sustainable growth in diverse sectors such as agriculture, tourism, green economy, manufacturing and export-oriented industries. Swisscontact is a trusted partner to government institutions, industry actors and development partners.

Skills for Competitiveness (S4C) & Sustainable Tourism Education Development (STED) - Two projects under the Swiss Skills for Competitiveness Programme (SS4C)

About the Swiss Skills for Competitiveness (SS4C)

The Swiss Skills for Competitiveness (SS4C) programme is a Swiss‑funded initiative implemented by Swisscontact to support Indonesia’s economic development by strengthening the relevance and quality of skills in line with private sector needs. As one of Swisscontact flagship programs, SS4C works with a wide range actors across the skills ecosystem, including public vocational institutions, government bodies, service providers, business associations, and companies in key economic sectors such as manufacturing, food processing and tourism.

Following its Mid‑Term Evaluation, SS4C has sharpened its strategic focus towards private sector competitiveness, systemic change, and sustainability. The program aims to increasingly position skills development to support business performance and focuses more on a facilitative role that strengthens local actors and provides innovative market‑based solutions. SS4C emphasises deeper engagement with the private sector, stronger public‑private collaboration, and scalable, sustainable approaches, which require adaptive and partnership‑oriented ways of working.

Job Brief

About the Roles

To achieve SS4C’s strategic objectives and strengthen system-level collaboration, Swisscontact is seeking a Manager – Public Sector Engagement, to be based in Jakarta. The Manager will lead Swisscontact’s engagement with relevant ministries and public institutions, steer strategic partnerships, and ensure public-sector collaboration effectively supports SS4C’s outcomes on skills development and workforce readiness.

The position is offered on a 1-year fixed-term contract with the possibility of extension.

Purpose of the Role

The Manager – Public Sector Engagement leads SS4C’s strategic engagement with national and sub‑national government counterparts and other public-sector stakeholders relevant to skills development and workforce readiness. The role shapes and implements the program’s public‑sector engagement strategy, positions Swisscontact as a trusted partner, and enables effective public‑private collaboration across the skills ecosystem. Working through influence, facilitation, and coordination (rather than line management), the Manager ensures alignment between SS4C interventions and government priorities, identifies policy and institutional opportunities and risks, and provides strategic advice to the Program Management Team to support systemic change and sustainability.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement SS4C’s public-sector engagement strategy, including stakeholder mapping, objectives, engagement plans, and partnership pathways at national and sub‑national levels.
• Represent Swisscontact and SS4C in strategic engagements with relevant ministries, agencies, and coordination platforms (e.g., TKNV/TKDV), building trust and positioning SS4C as a partner for systemic change.
• Design and facilitate public‑private dialogue, joint planning, learning events, and reflection processes to strengthen coordination and collective action across the skills ecosystem.
• Monitor policy and institutional developments that affect SS4C priorities; prepare strategic briefs, talking points, and recommendations for the Program Management Team to support adaptive decision-making.
• Ensure SS4C interventions are aligned with relevant government priorities and frameworks; coordinate with sector teams to translate alignment into practical collaboration and implementation arrangements.
• Coordinate engagement-related workplans, budgets, documentation, and reporting inputs (including with Monitoring & Results Measurement) to ensure consistent, evidence-based communication of progress and results.
• Identify and manage partnership risks, reputational considerations, and emerging system dynamics; propose mitigation measures and opportunities to strengthen SS4C’s sustainability and influence.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree (required) in Public Policy, Economics, Public Administration, International Relations, Development Studies, or a related field; a Master’s degree is an advantage.
• Minimum 15 years of relevant professional experience working with government institutions and public-sector stakeholders in Indonesia, including policy dialogue, coordination platforms, or institutional strengthening.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex multi‑stakeholder partnerships and facilitating public‑private dialogue; ability to credibly engage senior counterparts and drive outcomes through influence.
• Comfortable working in a role without line-management responsibilities, coordinating across teams and partners to deliver shared objectives.
• Strong understanding of Indonesia’s skills and workforce development landscape (TVET, vocational education, workforce readiness) is preferred.
• Excellent analytical, negotiation, and communication skills, including the ability to produce concise briefs and stakeholder-facing materials.
• Fluent in English and Bahasa Indonesia (written and spoken).
• Strong planning and organisational skills; comfortable working adaptively in dynamic environments where priorities may evolve.

How to Apply

Please submit (1) a cover letter describing your suitability for the role and your earliest availability, and (2) a CV (maximum 3 pages), through https://recruitment.swisscontact.or.id or email at [email protected] latest by 30 April 2026.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.