TUNTAS Program Manager

Grade: Professional

Subject to donor approval

Location: Sidoarjo or Malang District, East Java, Indonesia, with regular support to program operations with our implementing partners in Bogor and Depok (West Java)

ROLE PURPOSE

The TUNTAS Program Manager is the senior operational lead for the TUNTAS program. The role sets strategic direction, ensures technical quality, and makes sure program investments draw on Indonesia’s wider education system and donor landscape.

The role leads the design and delivery of an integrated package of technical assistance to district and provincial governments. The program aims to reduce school dropout and improve educational outcomes for vulnerable children and young people. It does this by strengthening access to inclusive, quality, and relevant learning through youth empowerment, school and community engagement, and sustainable education systems. It covers four districts in the two provinces with the highest concentration of dropout risk: Bogor and Depok (West Java), and Sidoarjo and Malang (East Java).

The role keeps the TUNTAS program design consistent and connected with other Save the Children initiatives in Indonesia, and aligned with the DBS Foundation, to maximize impact and support lasting system change. The position requires deep expertise in the Indonesian education system, both formal and non-formal. It also requires proven experience delivering large-scale capacity building at the local level and a strong grounding in adult learning and systems-strengthening approaches.

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY

Technical Leadership and Program Quality

• Lead the overall implementation of the TUNTAS program across target locations, in line with the approved program design, donor commitments, national education priorities, and Save the Children’s policies and quality standards.
• Under the direction of the Head of Children Development, provide operational leadership, strategic implementation planning, and coordination across program components and locations.
• Work closely with the Education Technical Advisor and relevant technical specialists so that education interventions are technically sound, contextually appropriate, inclusive, and consistently implemented.
• Integrate life skills, dropout prevention, education continuity, and re-engagement pathways into one coherent program approach.
• Systematically integrate Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI), climate change, child protection, and child participation into program design and implementation.
• Adjust work plans based on field data and monitoring results, resolve implementation issues quickly, and follow up on stakeholder feedback.

Oversight and Management of Project Implementation

• Coordinate the overall project, working closely with direct reports, local implementing partners, and stakeholders to deliver a high-quality program.
• Develop a Detailed Implementation Plan for all program areas. Ensure on-time delivery that meets the quality framework and standards, including monitoring and evaluation, and that program approaches work together.
• Ensure adherence to good programming guidelines, including international good practice.
• Raise any implementation issues with the line manager, with recommendations for resolution.
• Work with the Program Impact & Policy Department to maintain program quality framework standards and identify opportunities for scaling up work in project areas.
• Coordinate external technical assistance visits from Jakarta-based and international staff, as well as the donor.
• Ensure timely and accurate narrative and financial reporting to the National Office and Save the Children Members.
• Maintain a green rating on program KPIs, as reviewed monthly by Save the Children.

Financial Management

• Develop program budgets and projections with the program and Finance teams.
• Ensure effective and efficient use of project resources.
• Regularly monitor budget vs. actual expenditure and proactively propose changes to expenditure plans and projections.
• Apply appropriate controls to project resources, including accurate tracking of all expenditure and financial management and tracking for implementing partners.
• Coordinate with the Finance unit to produce accurate and timely financial reports.
• Review financial reports to confirm they match project activities.

Partnership Management, Eco-Convener and Localization

• Manage program implementation through local partners, applying the localization roadmap across its seven dimensions.
• Secure the resources needed for program success, in line with Save the Children and donor standards.
• Support the growth of SC Indonesia’s portfolio through staff capacity building, partnership and network development, and new funding opportunities. Provide evidence-based, strategic input to proposal development, drawing on learning and evaluation from ongoing projects and regular assessment and research with relevant departments.
• Provide input on Save the Children Indonesia’s strategic initiatives and innovations within its transformation journey, mainly eco-convener, localization, and integrated programming with regional development.
• Strengthen strategic partnerships with the Partnerships unit to increase the reach and impact of Save the Children Indonesia’s mission.
• Work closely with the Awards, PIC, Partnerships, Finance, Supply Chain, and field implementation teams on partner assessment, transparent selection, and capacity building, in line with SC Partnership Principles.
• Directly manage relationships with partners that implement in more than one Save the Children Indonesia area. Ensure good coordination between these partners and the area and field offices.
• Support the National Office in conducting partner capacity assessments and capacity-strengthening plans within the area of supervision.

Administration, IT, Safety and Security, and Government Relations

• Represent the organization to partners, donors, and government as appropriate, and maintain good relationships.
• Ensure efficient, cost-effective IT systems are in place and comply with SCI minimum standards.
• Ensure HR policies are in place and implemented.
• Work with the Safety and Security Focal Person so that security policies and procedures are understood and strictly followed throughout the program. Develop briefing, communication, transport, and other systems that keep all staff and visitors safe.

Facilities Management

• Ensure Project Coordinators oversee maintenance of office premises, facilities, assets, and equipment, and that these are secure and used efficiently.
• Ensure compliance with health and safety regulations.
• Ensure internal and external communication systems function effectively and efficiently.
• Provide logistical support to guests and visitors, including partner organizations involved in SC activities.

Logistics

• Ensure all procurement is appropriate, timely, and transparent, in line with Save the Children policies and procedures and internal audit requirements.
• Ensure efficient travel management for all personnel and visitors.

Child Safeguarding

• Contribute to implementing the Child Safeguarding Policy (CSP) within the Country Office, including integrating the CSP into all project activities and work with target beneficiaries.

Anticipatory Action and Emergency Response

• Work with the Humanitarian team to strengthen organizational readiness for emergencies in program areas, in line with global Save the Children emergency policies and the Save the Children Indonesia Emergency Preparedness Plan. This includes making sure program staff take part in the Indonesia Emergency Response Team and receive proper training.
• Coordinate the response to any prioritized emergency in the area of supervision.
• Be available for deployment outside the normal role profile for emergency response, as required by the National Office.

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL)

Collaborate with the MEAL team to:

• Develop program logframes, indicators, implementation plans, M&E frameworks, and related tools.
• Ensure quality data collection tools and analysis of key program and project indicators, and build learning into our programs.
• Lead the development of program research and learning agendas as required by the organization and donor.
• Store learning materials and documentation and share them on time with internal and external stakeholders and with children themselves, and facilitate cross-learning.

Staff Management, Mentorship and Development

• Oversee recruitment, training, and promotion of staff as appropriate, and ensure professional development opportunities are available.
• Manage the performance of all direct reports through:
  • Effective use of the Performance Management System, including clear, measurable objectives, ongoing feedback, periodic reviews, and fair, unbiased evaluations
  • Coaching, mentoring, and other development opportunities
  • Recognition and rewards for outstanding performance
  • Exchange opportunities with other Save the Children Indonesia and global Save the Children programs
  • Documentation of below-standard performance, with appropriate performance improvement plans

Brand and Reputation

• Help make sure all project staff understand the brand and actively build and protect it across field sites and with external stakeholders, including partners.
• Ensure effective communication and collaboration with Save the Children Members and donors.
• Work with the Fundraising, Marketing and Communications Department and the Advocacy and Campaigns Department to raise Save the Children’s profile in Indonesia through program input.

Extended Management Team

As a member of the Extended Management Team:

• Contribute to the overall management of the Indonesia National Office.
• Help build an organizational culture that reflects our dual mandate (humanitarian and development) and our values. That culture promotes accountability and high performance, encourages learning, creativity, and innovation, and enables staff to deliver outstanding results for children.
• Give feedback on issues that matter across Save the Children, including National Office financial management, communications, advocacy, and human resources.
• Help build, maintain, and improve regular working relationships with host government authorities, donors (including major institutional donors), partner agencies, and local and international NGOs.
• Support field office compliance with all Save the Children Quality Framework Standards and Standard Operating Procedures.
• Share good practices and lessons learned from across the country with key program and operations staff.

Cross-Functional Working Groups and KPIs

• Take part in cross-functional working groups as required, and contribute to Global KPIs and those agreed with the Indonesia Extended Leadership Team.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Master’s degree in Education or a relevant field, and/or equivalent field experience
• Minimum 5–7 years of progressively responsible experience designing and managing education programs, ideally focused on foundational learning and teacher professional development, plus experience in non-formal education
• Strong knowledge of Indonesia’s education system and policy environment at national and sub-national levels
• Demonstrated experience working with government counterparts, development partners, and civil society organizations in the education sector
• Experience working with an international NGO or similar organization
• Extensive experience managing complex donor compliance, with solid knowledge of financial and budgetary control
• Extensive experience managing partnerships and strengthening implementing partners’ capacity through coaching and technical oversight
• Proven ability to lead, motivate, mentor, and develop teams
• Experience integrating cross-cutting priorities such as GEDSI, child protection, and climate change education into program design and implementation
• Strong understanding of project cycle management, including planning, budgeting, monitoring, and reporting
• Ability to analyze information, evaluate options, and think and plan strategically
• Fluency in written and spoken Bahasa Indonesia and strong written and spoken English, including experience producing high-quality technical reports and presentations
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills, including the ability to build partnerships, facilitate collaboration, and represent programs in high-level forums
• Ability and willingness to travel frequently to field locations
• Commitment to and understanding of Save the Children’s aims, values, and principles, including child rights, rights-based approaches, safeguarding, and accountable partnerships

Save the Children encourages qualified candidates to apply regardless of religion, race, gender, sexual orientation, or disability.