Background:

Experience from YMCI’s previous program shows that women-led/owned micro and small businesses tend to have low access to financial services, with only 51% having an active bank account and using it in the last six months. YMCI learnt that although the financial inclusion and financial literacy rate for women in Indonesia has improved compared to the Global Findex 2017, women – who lead/own around 60% of MSMEs in Indonesia – still face challenges due to structural and behavioural factors to use the financial products and services from formal financial institutions. Gender-based barriers to financial inclusion arise from both the demand and supply sides. From the demand side, the most critical barriers are social norms that preclude women from owning property or being involved in financial decisions. From the supply side, barriers include lack of gender-specific policies and practices in product design, marketing, and distribution channels. Moreover, in terms of cultural limitations, women may face socio-cultural barriers in accessing services as empowered clients even when financial services are easily available or even mandated by the government.

This program aims to empower women-led /owned micro and small businesses in Semarang, Surabaya, and Medan Cities by improving their access to bundled financial literacy and services, business development, and digitalization. The program will replicate YMCI’s multi-stakeholder partnership and bundled services approach in facilitating a comprehensive package that includes financial literacy, financial management, access to financial products and services, digital literacy and mentoring, and digital marketing for women-led/owned micro and small enterprises, to enable them to increase their businesses performance, increase sales, and expand their market. This program expectedly will create impact to their financial health that leads to bettering their well-being and their family. The program will also facilitate ecosystem learnings, knowledge exchange and foster collaboration between women led/owned MSEs engagement and within the broader Micro and Small Businesses, and other stakeholders through learning events.

Goals and Outcomes Program:

Improved financial health & resilience

30% of women reported an improvement in financial heal Influences Policymakers (increased sales)

Outcomes:

Improvement in financial knowledge & application

75% of women reported an improvement in knowledge on financial literacy & services, business development & digitalisation
60% of women reported an improvement in access to digital marketing channels to improve their business

Improvement in access to financial services

60% of women reported an improvement in access to financial products /services including digital financial services.70% of women reported to have accessed and actively used financial product/ services (at least once a month)

Consultant Objectives:

The Communication Assistant will support the implementation of communication and knowledge management activities under the guidance of the Communications Lead. The role is responsible for assisting support the implementation of communication and knowledge management activities for the project by assisting in content development, digital communications, stakeholder engagement, event communications, media coordination, documentation, and administrative support, ensuring timely and effective communication with internal and external audiences.

Consultant Activities:

The Communication Assistant Consultant will undertake the following activities:

Support the implementation of communication and visibility activities in accordance with the project communication plan.
Draft and edit communication materials, including press releases, articles, newsletters, website content, social media content, success stories, and other communication products.
Support the planning and implementation of communication activities for project events, workshops, learning events, media visits, and stakeholder engagement activities.
Coordinate with external stakeholders, including government agencies, development partners, media, speakers, vendors, consultants, and participants to support communication and event implementation.
Prepare and distribute official invitations, meeting requests, participant confirmations (RSVP), and other external communications related to project activities.
Assist in coordinating communication logistics for meetings, workshops, media engagements, and public events, including preparing communication materials and participant information.
Manage day-to-day social media activities, including content scheduling, monitoring engagement, responding to routine inquiries, and preparing monthly analytics reports.
Support the development of multimedia communication products, including simple graphic design, photography, short-form video editing, presentation materials, and digital assets.
Collect, organize, and maintain communication assets, including photographs, videos, publications, media coverage, and project documentation.
Support media engagement activities by updating media contact databases, preparing media materials, coordinating interviews, and monitoring media coverage.
Compile communication performance data, including media monitoring, social media analytics, website statistics, and communication reports.
Coordinate with consultants, photographers, videographers, designers, and other service providers to ensure timely delivery of communication products.
Provide administrative and logistical support for communication and knowledge management activities as required by the project.
Perform other communication and knowledge management tasks assigned by the Organization to support effective project implementation.

Consultant Deliverables:

During the assignment, the Communication Assistant Consultant will be responsible for delivering:

Draft communication materials, including articles, press releases, newsletters, website content, internal communications, and social media content.
Communication support for project events, workshops, learning events, media visits, and stakeholder meetings, including invitation management, RSVP tracking, participant communication, and event documentation.
Social media management support, including content scheduling, engagement monitoring, and monthly analytics reports.
Documentation of project activities, including photography, video coordination, testimonials, and organization of communication assets.
Basic multimedia products, such as social media graphics, presentation materials, and simple video edits.
Media monitoring reports, communication performance reports, and communication asset archiving.
Support coordination with government agencies, partners, media, vendors, speakers, and consultants related to communication activities.
Other communication and knowledge management assignments requested by the Organization.

Timeframe / Schedule:

The Communication Assistant Consultant will be engaged from the date of contract signing until 31 December 2026. During the assignment period, the Consultant will provide communication and knowledge management support in accordance with the approved work plan and project priorities. This includes supporting content development, communication and visibility activities, stakeholder and media coordination, event communications, documentation, and other communication-related assignments as requested by the Organization.

The Consultant is expected to submit agreed deliverables on a regular basis and participate in coordination meetings with the project team throughout the consultancy period (with travel to project locations, including Semarang, Medan, and Surabaya, as required).

Period of Assignment: Upon contract signing – 31 December 2026

The Consultant will report to:

Financial Inclusion for Women Entrepreneurs Program Manager.

Works Directly With: KM and Comms Specialist.

Payment and Cost Arrangement:

The Consultant shall receive a professional fee for the duration of the contract one period. The contract is established for one deliverable.

All approved accommodation and transportation costs required for activities in the program locations shall be covered by Mercy Corps Indonesia through reimbursement, subject to the submission of valid supporting documents and a maximum reimbursement ceiling as defined in the contract.

Required Skills and Experience for Video, Photo Impact Story for Disability Program Participants:

Bachelor’s degree in Communication, Journalism, Public Relations, Multimedia, Design, International Relations, Social Sciences, or other relevant disciplines.
1–3 years of professional experience in communications, public relations, digital communications, media, or related fields. Experience through internships or freelance assignments may be considered.
Experience supporting communication activities for NGOs, development organizations, government agencies, private sector, or media organizations is an advantage.
Basic understanding of content development for websites and social media platforms.
Ability to write and edit communication materials in both Bahasa Indonesia and English.
Basic knowledge of graphic design and multimedia production using tools such as Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, Cap Cut, or similar applications.
Familiarity with social media management, content scheduling, and basic analytics.
Good organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
Strong interpersonal and coordination skills with the ability to work effectively in a team.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Workspace.
Willingness to travel for project activities when required.

Any other responsibilities as assigned by the Organization from time to time. How to Apply

Interested candidates are invited to submit their CV and proposal, which should include the following:

a. A description of relevant experience in developing creative concepts, multimedia content, and digital communication materials, preferably for development or social impact programs.

b. A proposed creative approach and preliminary work plan aligned with the deliverables outlined in the Terms of Reference.

c. At least two samples of social media content (e.g., captions, carousel copy, short video scripts, or previous campaign materials) related to communication, women’s empowerment, MSMEs, or financial inclusion.

d. A portfolio of previous creative work (videos, graphics, campaign materials).

e. A proposed consultancy budget.

Interested candidate could email their CV and proposal to procurement@id.mercycorps.org with the subject “SUB 0003 – CAC – (your name)” the latest on 24 July 2026. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives.

We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.

Equal Employment Opportunity

We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, colour, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.

Safeguarding & Ethics

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our stakeholders and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC’s policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

Thank You,

Mercy Corps Indonesia