POSITION INFORMATION
Position : Program Officer Criminal Justice Reform
Unit Name : Law and Justice
Location : Jakarta
Job Type & duration of Contract : Full-time staff, initial contract for a year with potential extension
Closing Date : June 4, 2026
PROGRAM BACKGROUND
The Asia Foundation (the Foundation) works to strengthen the professionalism, transparency, and accountability of Indonesia’s justice sector institutions as part of the country’s ongoing democratic consolidation. Over the past decades, the Foundation has supported reforms across the criminal justice system, including the courts, prosecution services, corrections, and law enforcement agencies. These efforts aim to improve institutional performance, enhance access to justice, and strengthen rule of law outcomes. The Foundation collaborates with government institutions, civil society organizations, research institutions, and international partners to advance policy reform, institutional strengthening, and evidence-based programming in the justice sector.
As justice sector reform becomes increasingly complex, strong monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) systems are essential to ensure that programs are adaptive, accountable, and capable of demonstrating meaningful reform outcomes. The Program Officer will support the implementation and monitoring of criminal justice reform initiatives, ensuring that program activities, grants, and technical assistance contribute to measurable policy and institutional improvements.
SUMMARY OF JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
The Program Officer will work as part of the law and justice program team and support the implementation of criminal justice reform initiatives with a strong focus on monitoring, evaluation, learning, and program performance tracking. The position will contribute to the management of grants and partnerships with civil society organizations, research institutions, and government agencies involved in criminal justice reform. S/he will play a key role in tracking program outputs and outcomes, supporting data collection and analysis, and strengthening learning processes to ensure that program implementation remains aligned with strategic objectives and donor requirements. The position will also support program administration, coordination with partners, and reporting to donors. Working closely with program staff, the Program Officer will help ensure that program activities are implemented effectively, results are documented, and lessons learned inform program improvements and policy engagement.
RELATIONSHIP
Internal
- Country Representative, Deputy Country Representative, Program Manager Law and Justice, and other program unit heads;
- Program, financial and administrative staff in the Foundation’s Jakarta office;
- Other program staff in the Foundation’s offices in the US and Asia;
- Consultants and technical experts supporting program implementation.
External
- Civil society organizations, research institutions, universities, and professional associations (i.e., bar associations) working on justice sector reform;
- Government of Indonesia institutions involved in criminal justice reform;
- Development partners and program donors (i.e., DFAT, ADB, World Bank, UNODC), including private donors;
- Technical experts and consultants supporting program activities;
- Other international and local organizations working on the rule of law and governance.
JOB FUNCTIONS
Program implementation & grant management
- Support the implementation of criminal justice reform initiatives, including coordination with partners and relevant stakeholders.
- Assist in managing grants to civil society organizations, research institutions, and other implementing partners.
- Review partner work plans, deliverables, and financial reports to ensure compliance with program requirements and donor regulations.
- Facilitate coordination between partners, consultants, and government stakeholders to support program implementation.
- Support the preparation of grant agreements, program documentation, and internal reporting in a timely and compliant manner with the Foundation’s policies.
- Supervise preparation of grant administration by the Program Assistant.
- Responsible for all aspects of financial management of the grants.
- Understand and comply with requirements placed on the Foundation by our donors.
Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL)
- Support the implementation of monitoring, evaluation, and learning systems for criminal justice reform programs.
- Track program outputs, milestones, and early outcomes to ensure activities are aligned with program objectives and expected results.
- Collect, analyze, and synthesize program data to assess progress and identify emerging lessons.
- Support development of monitoring frameworks and indicators.
- Contribute to the preparation of internal progress reports, donor reports, newsletters, or success stories.
- Work closely with partners to strengthen their capacity in results monitoring, documentation, and reporting.
- Troubleshoot any emerging difficulties with partners in reaching deliverables.
- Identify trends, challenges, and opportunities emerging from program implementation and contribute to adaptive program management.
- Respond to periodic requests from the Foundation’s San Francisco or other offices for program updates or examples of program impact.
Program development and technical support
- Support the identification of emerging policy issues and reform opportunities within the criminal justice sector.
- Assist in developing program concepts, activity plans, and technical inputs for program design.
- Coordinate technical assistance provided to program partners, including research, training, and policy dialogue.
- Support the preparation of program updates, policy notes, and analytical briefs.
- Design and implement technical assistance and training programs for Foundation partners, including drafting of terms of reference for consultants and coordination of technical assistance to local partners.
External engagement and coordination
- Develop and maintain relationships with government institutions, civil society organizations, and research partners working on criminal justice reform, and raise the profile of the Foundation’s activities and ensure coordination.
- Participate in meetings, workshops, and policy discussions related to justice sector reform.
- Support coordination with development partners and stakeholders involved in related reform initiatives.
- Represent the Foundation at conferences, events, and donor coordination meetings. Public speaking and publications on our work may be required.
- Assist in developing and maintaining good public relations. In particular, assist the Director/Representative to develop and update literature that disseminates the nature and impact of our work.
- Work with the press as part of advocacy efforts and to publicize the program. This may include preparing press releases, giving interviews, or arranging press conferences.
REQUIREMENTS
Experience
- Minimum of seven years of professional experience in development programs, governance reform, or justice sector initiatives;
- Demonstrated experience in monitoring and evaluation, results tracking, or program performance management;
- The successful applicant should have a good understanding of the dynamics of criminal justice reform in Indonesia.
- Experience working with civil society organizations, research institutions, or government agencies in the justice or governance sector is desirable;
- Strong organizational and program management skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines;
- Demonstrate sound judgment in decision making;
- Experience working on budgets and handling routine financial management;
- Excellent communication and facilitation skills. Prior experience leading trainings and a publication track record are desirable.
- Demonstrated capacity to establish positive relationships with Indonesia’s justice sector institutions;
- Familiarity with donor-funded programs and reporting requirements is desirable.
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in law, public policy, criminology, development studies, or related fields;
- A Master’s degree is desirable.
Other
- Excellent written and spoken communication skills in English and Indonesian;
- Strong analytical and data interpretation skills;
- Ability to synthesize complex information into clear program insights;
- High level of professionalism, teamwork, and interpersonal skills;
- Ability to work under pressure and manage competing priorities;
- Proven leadership skills;
- Proficiency in standard office software and data management tools;
- Willingness to undertake frequent travel within Indonesia, and at times, internationally when required.
- Indonesian nationality is a must.
HOW TO APPLY
Applicants should submit their application and CV through the electronic form provided at The Asia Foundation Recruitment Form – Program Officer – Criminal Justice Reform – Fill out form, at the latest by June 4, 2026, at 5:00 PM Jakarta time. Please ensure that all required fields are completed accurately.
Important: The Asia Foundation does not require any payment or request sensitive personal information during the recruitment process. Please ensure that the form you complete is accessed from a credible source, such as The Asia Foundation’s official website or Devjobsindo.org. Beware of fraudulent job offers claiming to be from The Asia Foundation. If you encounter any issues or have questions, please contact us at id.hr@asiafoundation.org.
THE ASIA FOUNDATION IS COMMITTED TO CREATING A DIVERSE AND INCLUSIVE WORK ENVIRONMENT AND ENCOURAGES QUALIFIED CANDIDATES FROM ALL BACKGROUNDS, INCLUDING WOMEN, INDIGENOUS PEOPLES, AND MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES, TO APPLY. IF YOU ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT ADVANCING ENVIRONMENTAL GOVERNANCE, CLIMATE ACTIONS, AND INCLUSIVE DEVELOPMENT AND MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OUTLINED ABOVE,
ONLY SHORTLISTED CANDIDATES WILL BE CONTACTED FOR FURTHER ASSESSMENT.
More Information
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