Background:

The Indo-Pacific is home to half of the world’s population, to economic and technology powerhouses, and is a critical part of vulnerable global supply chains. Most countries in the region have been growing substantially and are on track to eliminate extreme poverty over the next 15 years – India is projected to be the third largest economy by 2030. But there are exceptions and 800m live close to the poverty line (expected to be ca. 400m by 2050), while there is evidence of rising inequality. The UK can help shape the growth trajectories of countries for the mutual economic and development benefit of the region and the UK.

The Indo-Pacific region is crucial for global trade and connectivity, accounting for 60% of the world’s GDP and 65% of global trade routes. It is home to some of the fastest-growing economies like India, ASEAN countries, and Australia, and serves as a central hub for maritime trade, with over $5 trillion worth of goods passing through the South China Sea annually. The region’s strategic location connects the Indian and Pacific Oceans, enhancing trade routes between Asia, Europe, and North America. Initiatives like the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) and regional free trade agreements, such as RCEP, underscore the region’s role in shaping global trade policies and supply chains.

About the Indo Pacific Regional Department:

The Indo-Pacific Regional Department (IPRD) delivers regional development programmes, provides policy and advisory expertise and supports Posts across the Indo-Pacific on their programme management needs. Based across three main hubs – UK, India and Indonesia – it drives cross-border work on UK priorities including climate change, green infrastructure, trade, humanitarian support, women & girls, global health security, countering modern slavery, open societies and humanitarian response and preparedness. IPRD supports these priorities by delivering several high-profile, transboundary programmes across the region, providing expert technical advice and high-quality programme management support to the UK’s posts across the Indo Pacific.

IPRD works in close partnership with – and in many cases delivers through – regional organisations (e.g. the World Bank and Asian Development Bank), governments, donors, multilateral organisations (including the UN), specialist organisations and NGOs. We also support the UK-ASEAN partnership, and strategic partnerships with India, Indonesia, the Pacific, Australia, Japan and South Korea.

Programmes:

Pacific Clean Energy Programme (PCEP):

The objectives of the Pacific Clean Energy Programme (PCEP) are increased and equitable access to affordable and reliable electricity, and reduced carbon emissions in PICs. This may lead to improved health and new economic opportunities, particularly for poor people. It will also help put PICs on green development pathways and improve their economic security. PCEP will achieve this by increasing investment in renewable energy generation and transmission. It is strongly aligned with UK strategic priorities in the region and by working with likeminded donors it will strengthen the UK’s influence and relationships in line with our BIP approach. PCEP has two components:

• The Papua New Guinea Clean Energy Investment (PCEI): A £3.5m UK investment through and in partnership with Australia, which supports Papua New Guinea (PNG)’s goal of achieving 70% electrification by 2030. It provides grants to civil society organisations to scale-up clean energy access in remote and marginalised communities in PNG not served by government systems.
• The Regional Clean Energy Fund (RCEIF): A £16.5m UK investment to capitalise a blended finance fund to support local project developers and build a pipeline of renewable energy projects. The fund will also support local developers in building a pipeline of viable renewable energy projects, ultimately reducing reliance on diesel generators and lowering carbon emissions while improving electricity access in ODA-eligible PICs. The fund will work in partnership with the New Zealand Ministry New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT). By providing cheaper capital, our intervention will decrease the overall cost of the project and create the necessary conditions for private investors.

ASEAN Catalytic Green Finance Facility (ACGF)

• The ACGF is an ASEAN Infrastructure Fund initiative supporting governments in Southeast Asia to prepare and finance infrastructure projects that promote environmental sustainability and contribute to climate change goals.
• The programme takes a blended finance approach. The UK’s finance is increased four-fold by attracting funding from other sources, including the private sector. Our support will only go to projects that would not be possible without it.
• This programme will work as a catalyst to new investment in cleaner technologies and more resilient infrastructure.
• This is in the UK’s national interest. It will increase our impact in tackling climate change, contribute to the delivering on the Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals, and to our deeper partnership with ASEAN (through the UK-ASEAN Plan of Action).
• The programme will increase our cooperation with ASEAN governments and create new investment opportunities for the UK financial sector as well as for legal, design and engineering consultancy services to UK companies.

Indo Pacific Connectivity Programme (IPCP)

As a successor to the Asia Regional Trade and Connectivity Programme (ARTCP), the IPCP aims to create open, resilient, connected regional markets, including energy markets. This will increase trade, growth, investment, renewable and low-carbon energy generation, and job creation, and reduce poverty and gender inequity in South Asia and South-East Asia. This programme is currently in the design stage.

About the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO):

The British Government is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer. We value difference, promote equality and challenge discrimination, enhancing our organisational capability. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law. We promote family-friendly flexible working opportunities, where operational and security needs allow.  

Main Purpose of Job:

This is a great opportunity for a highly motivated self-starter with strong experience and skills in project management, budgeting and forecasting, bring international development, and stakeholder management.

• We are looking for a dynamic programme management professional to work within the IPRD team based in Jakarta, focusing on the day-to-day programme management of IPCP, ACGF and PCEP.
• The selected candidate will work with colleagues from other UK government teams and with project implementers, such as the Asian Development Bank, World Bank, Australia’s Department for Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), research consortiums, trade associations, economic think tanks, and civil society organisations.
• The role will also involve support and coordination for both internal and external engagements, and some events, with a range of stakeholders.
• The role will be based at the British Embassy, Jakarta but travel within the Indo Pacific region, or to the UK, is likely.
• The selected candidate will be line managed by the Senior Policy & Programme Manager – IPRD based in Jakarta. The Senior Responsible Officer for ACGF will be the objective leader and quality assurer for the role covering ACGF. The job will require a significant amount of autonomy, and the candidate will be expected to understand and apply FCDO programme systems and Programme Operating framework (PrOF) in detail.

What the Jobholder will be Expected to Achieve:

• ACGF (budget up to £110m): 20%
• PCEP (budget up to £ 20m): 40%
• IPCP (budget up to £ 19m): 30%
• Corporate: 10%

As programme manager for these programmes, responsibilities would include but not limited to:

• Support the Senior Responsible Owner (SRO) / Programme Responsible Owner (PRO) in the successful delivery and management of the programmes, ensuring compliance with FCDO’s Programme Operating Framework (PrOF), safeguarding, fraud guidance, and other requirements. These include:
  • Oversee the financial management of the programmes, including budgeting, accurate forecasting, timely disbursement of funds, and effective expenditure controls, in line with FCDO policies.
  • Ensure the timely and coordinated issuance of agreements (MoUs, AGs, or grants) and procurement of services to support technical assistance programmes, adhering to PrOF and FCDO systems.
  • Manage risk by maintaining and regularly updating the risk register, implementing proportionate risk mitigation measures, monitoring key risks, and escalating issues that exceed the agreed risk appetite.
  • Conduct due diligence and ensure that all sub-projects are implemented in full compliance with FCDO requirements, ensuring continued relevance and adapting programmes based on lessons learned.
  • Review partner reports in collaboration with policy leads, critically assess progress, address challenges, and escalate delivery risks as necessary. Ensure lessons learned are integrated to enable adaptive programming and course corrections.
  • Lead the preparation of annual reviews and project completion reports, ensuring they meet quality standards and deadlines, and contribute to driving the achievement of programme outputs and outcomes as outlined in approval documents.
  • Maintain regular communication with partners, ensure accurate and up-to-date records are kept, and publish programme information in line with FCDO’s transparency policies and agreed security procedures.
• Contribute to stakeholder management:
  • Support in managing relationship with the ACGF, PCEP and IPCP delivery partners, ensuring effective collaboration and alignment of objectives between the delivery partners and FCDO across the Indo Pacific. This includes advising the SRO/PRO on operational and policy implications and negotiating changes to ensure mutual understanding and agreement.
  • Facilitate regular communications with key stakeholders in the UK, India and other regional partners to promote knowledge sharing, drive best practices, and ensure cohesive working approaches in line with programme gaols.
  • Actively review the progress of selected projects on the ground, either individually or as part of the wider ACGF, IPCEP and PCEP core team, providing insights and advice on complex operational issues to inform strategic decision making.
• Corporate:
  • Support the Senior Programme Manager on the Programme Excellence Pillar.
  • Provide support to the Senior Programme Manager on Sexual Exploitation Abuse & Harassment (SEAH).
  • Procurement support to the IPRD team.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to the dynamic nature of our work, aspects of this role may change over time. The post-holder will need to be flexible and willing to adapt to evolving responsibilities.

Resources Managed (staff and expenditure):

• No direct line management responsibilities at the outset, although this may evolve over time.
• The selected candidate will be responsible for managing a modest budget, the exact amount of which is to be determined.

Candidates would ideally be expected to demonstrate many of the following skills and experience, although applications are still encouraged if not all are met, or if you have relevant alternative experience. 

• We are looking for a proactive self-starter, able to work well and have a flexible approach to work whilst under pressure
• We are looking for someone with excellent interpersonal and communications skills to build strong relations within the FCDO in multiple countries and UK teams and with a wide range of stakeholders in the region
• 5-7 years of work experience, with Project/Programme management experience, preferably with international stakeholders
• Financial and commercial knowledge and experience
• Programme management knowledge and experience
• Flexible and creative problem-solving skills, and the ability to come up with innovative solutions to complex problems and coordinate coherent and compelling programmes and projects
• Experience providing administrative and logistical support
• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal) and ability to adjust to different audiences, Excellent presentation skills
• Team working skills

Language Requirements:

• Fluent written and spoken English

A written test and / or a presentation will be included as part of the recruitment process.