Counsel for Strategic Policy and Legal Affairs (Economic Integration)

Position Title	Counsel for Strategic Policy and Legal Affairs (Economic Integration)
Engagement Type	Long-Term Personnel
Group / Workstream	Economic Integration
Grade / Level	NRF Level C2
Reports To	Senior Lead — Coordination (Economic Integration)
Location	Jakarta — Prospera Office (with some flexibility for remote work as required)
Duration	12 months

Note: This position is advertised at the Senior Specialist (C2) level. However, where an applicant demonstrates strong potential but has less than the required experience, Prospera may consider appointment to an equivalent role at the Specialist (C1) or Analyst (B2) level. In such cases, the Position Description, responsibilities, and remuneration will be aligned with the relevant grade.

Background

Prospera Phase 2 is Australia's flagship economic development partnership with Indonesia, supporting the Government of Indonesia (GoI) to advance sustainable, inclusive and climate-resilient economic growth. Building on nearly three decades of cooperation, the program delivers high-quality, demand-driven policy advice, institutional strengthening and Australian Public Service (APS) partnerships aligned with Indonesia's national priorities and Australia's economic diplomacy objectives.

The program is structured around two mutually reinforcing End-of-Program Outcomes:

• strengthened macroeconomic, financial and public financial management systems that support sustainable, climate-resilient and inclusive growth; and
• expanded markets, jobs, trade and investment through improved economic policy and reform implementation.

Across both outcomes, Prospera Phase 2 emphasises politically informed and evidence-based reform, sustained institutional capability, and locally led solutions rather than short-term technical fixes. Gender equality, disability and social inclusion (GEDSI), sustainability, climate and energy transition considerations, and localisation are embedded across all areas of engagement.

Purpose of the Role

The Counsel for Strategic Policy and Legal Affairs supports and coordinates Prospera's strategic engagement with the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs (CMEA) on critical legal and policy matters relating to Indonesia's international economic integration. Serving as the primary liaison, the Counsel is responsible for enhancing and expanding internal and external networks to advance and safeguard Indonesia's interests, including through high-level support and technical inputs on legal matters concerning Indonesia's accession to the OECD and other areas as requested by CMEA.

The Counsel also plays a key role in supporting CMEA in relevant international economic forums, including ASEAN, RCEP, CP-TPP and other international organisations. The role requires deep expertise in legal and regulatory frameworks, knowledge of relevant multilateral rules, and the ability to engage effectively with a diverse range of stakeholders, both domestically and internationally, in support of Indonesia's economic and policy objectives.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Engagement & Networks

• Strengthen and expand internal and external networks to promote and secure Indonesia's legal and policy interests, with a particular focus on engagement in key international economic forums such as the OECD, ASEAN, RCEP and CP-TPP.
• Serve as the primary liaison between the program and CMEA on strategic legal and policy matters relating to economic integration.

High-Level Collaboration

• Facilitate high-level collaboration with international organisations and other relevant stakeholders to help ensure Indonesia's position is effectively represented and advanced.
• Support CMEA's participation and positioning in international economic forums and negotiations.

Expert Advisory

• Provide expert, technical advice to CMEA and related ministries in agreed areas of specialisation, drawing on a broad range of inputs and expertise from across the Prospera program, and delivering strategic insights and actionable recommendations aligned with Indonesia's economic and regulatory objectives.
• Support the regulatory gap analysis and assessment of regulatory compliance with OECD requirements for Indonesia's accession to the OECD.
• Support legal review and domestic consultation processes for the preparation of Indonesia's accession to the CP-TPP.
• Provide strategic advisory support to strengthen Indonesia's position in ASEAN and RCEP.
• Compile and assess relevant laws and regulations that may need to be reviewed and adjusted to align with Indonesia's engagement and membership in new agreements.

Legal, Regulatory & Policy Development

• Remain informed on the latest developments and implementation challenges of advanced legal and regulatory frameworks that support Indonesia's economic reforms and integration into the global economy.
• Monitor emerging trends, advise on complex regulatory challenges, and apply emerging policy innovation to enhance Indonesia's financial and economic governance.

Key Relationships (Internal)

Operating at the interface of the program's Economic Integration workstream and its government counterparts, the role works closely with:

• Senior Lead - Coordination (Economic Integration) - as the reporting and escalation line, coordinating engagement priorities and advisory tasking.
• Economic Integration workstream advisers and analysts, aligning legal and regulatory inputs with the broader integration agenda.
• Technical and pillar leads across the program, drawing on program-wide expertise to inform advice to CMEA.
• Program leadership, supporting strategic positioning, quality assurance and risk management of sensitive advisory work.
• APS partners, coordinating with relevant Australian agencies where their expertise supports Indonesia's integration objectives.

Key Relationships (External)

Representing the program professionally and with sound judgement, the role engages with:

• The Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs (CMEA) as the primary counterpart for strategic legal and policy engagement.
• Related GoI ministries and agencies, supporting whole-of-government coherence on integration-related legal and regulatory matters.
• International organisations and forums, including the OECD, ASEAN, RCEP and CP-TPP processes and their secretariats.
• DFAT, supporting reporting and alignment with Australia's economic diplomacy objectives.
• Legal, regulatory and policy experts, domestically and internationally, as required to support Indonesia's positions.

Qualifications & Experience

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

Essential

• A recognised tertiary qualification in Law (LLB, JD, or equivalent), with eligibility for admission to practice law in at least one jurisdiction.
• A minimum of ten (10) years' relevant professional experience providing legal advice in a complex organisational environment, such as government, international organisations, regulatory bodies, or large corporate entities.
• Demonstrated experience advising on a broad range of legal matters, which may include governance, regulatory compliance, contracts, employment and labour law, administrative law, or public international law.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret and apply legislation, regulations and legal principles to practical organisational issues.
• Proven ability to draft, review and negotiate a range of legal documents, including contracts, agreements, policies and briefing notes.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the capacity to explain complex legal concepts clearly to non-legal stakeholders.
• High standards of professional integrity, judgement and discretion, with a demonstrated commitment to ethical practice.
• Ability to work collaboratively with internal stakeholders across functions and cultures, while also operating independently and managing competing priorities.
• Strong organisational and time-management skills, including the ability to meet deadlines in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.

Desirable

• Experience advising on international economic law, trade agreements, or accession processes (e.g. OECD, CP-TPP, RCEP).
• Familiarity with Indonesia's legal, regulatory and institutional context, including GoI legislative and consultation processes.
• Experience on a DFAT-funded program, or another bilateral or multilateral donor-funded program.
• Fluency in Bahasa Indonesia and English, and existing eligibility to live and work in Indonesia.

Skills & Competencies

The role requires the following skills and competencies:

• Legal analysis and advisory: interpreting and applying complex legal and regulatory frameworks to deliver practical, decision-ready advice.
• Strategic stakeholder engagement: building and maintaining trusted networks across government, international organisations and multilateral forums.
• Drafting and negotiation: producing high-quality legal documents, briefing notes and policy inputs.
• Policy judgement: situating legal advice within Indonesia's broader economic reform and integration agenda.
• Discretion and integrity: managing sensitive matters with sound judgement and professionalism.

Language Proficiency

Professional English is required. Strong Bahasa Indonesia proficiency is highly desirable, given the role's direct engagement with CMEA and related GoI counterparts.

Performance & Accountability

Performance will be assessed against:

• Delivery of agreed outputs and advisory tasking to a high standard.
• Quality, practicality and compliance of legal and policy advice.
• Effectiveness of collaboration with the Economic Integration team and program leadership.
• Stakeholder feedback, including from CMEA and related counterparts.
• Timeliness and responsiveness to counterpart and program needs.

Core Competencies

This position is expected to demonstrate the following core competencies:

• Communicates clearly and effectively
• Works collaboratively with others
• Plans and organises work effectively
• Identifies and solves problems
• Demonstrates adaptability and flexibility

Ways of Working

Prospera Phase 2 operates in a transparent, accountable and collaborative manner. All team members are expected to share information early, manage risk proactively, and maintain clarity about decisions, roles and responsibilities. The program values respect, professionalism, integrity and a shared commitment to high-quality, timely delivery.

Ethics and Compliance

The postholder must uphold the highest standards of ethical conduct and comply with all DFAT policies, contractual obligations and Prospera operational requirements, including:

• DFAT Child Protection and Preventing Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH) policies;
• fraud, bribery and anti-corruption prevention requirements;
• the Program Code of Conduct;
• conflict-of-interest obligations; and
• privacy and confidentiality requirements.

Intellectual Property

All intellectual property and materials developed in the course of this assignment remain the property of the Commonwealth of Australia (DFAT) and Prospera, in accordance with the program's head contract and applicable DFAT policy.