The ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) envisions a fair, trusted, and harmonised single market where businesses operate responsibly and transparently, and consumers are empowered and protected. While ASEAN has made steady progress, with robust frameworks, regional cooperation platforms, and national-level reforms advancing competition and consumer agendas, further effort is needed to close capacity gaps, align policies, scale cross-border coordination, and enhance consumer and business engagement in fostering fair competition and responsible market practices. Addressing these challenges will help ASEAN unlock the full potential of its markets and realize its vision for a rules-based, inclusive, and digitally empowered economy.
Supported by the Australian Government through the Australia for ASEAN Futures (Aus4ASEAN Futures) Initiative, The Advancing Fairness, Trust, and Harmonisation in ASEAN Markets (‘FIRST’) Project steps in as an important ASEAN-led initiative to meet these needs. It focuses on (1) enhancing regulatory coherence and advocacy in competition policy, (2) strengthening enforcement capabilities of ASEAN Member States (AMS) authorities, (3) promoting responsible digital business practices and tackling emerging risks, (4) embedding inclusive and people-centred consumer protection policies, and (5) deepening ASEAN-Australia collaboration.
To achieve this, FIRST will deliver a set of interlinked activities under the priorities of the ASEAN Experts Group on Competition (AEGC) and ASEAN Committee on Consumer Protection (ACCP). These include: the development of ASEAN guidelines and toolkits, regional workshops on enforcement and advocacy, digital market studies, and capacity building on handling scams, consumer vulnerabilities, and emerging policy challenges. The project also aims to strengthen ASEAN–Australia collaborative learning and long-term regulatory collaboration through policy dialogues, technical exchanges, and joint studies.
FIRST is expected to generate tangible outcomes for the region, including improved policy coherence, stronger enforcement capability, greater consumer awareness, and improved business compliance. It will also contribute to a more predictable, inclusive, and resilient regional market, while reinforcing ASEAN–Australia economic partnerships. By leveraging ASEAN’s regional momentum and Australia's regulatory experience, FIRST reflects a shared commitment to building a resilient, future-ready ASEAN economy anchored in fairness, trust, harmonisation, and collaboration. Assigned within the Competition, Consumer Protection, and IPR Division (CCPID) of the ASEAN Secretariat (ASEC), and under the guidance of their supervisors, the Project Officer (PO) will assist with the implementation and reporting of FIRST, with the details explained in the section of Duties and Responsibilities.
This position is open for Indonesian Citizens or ASEAN Nationals who are already residing and eligible to work in Indonesia. It is a full-time position based in Jakarta, Indonesia. The PO will be required to travel intermittently to ASEAN countries as necessary.
Remuneration and Benefits:
The successful candidate will be offered a basic salary of IDR 16,835,950 and attractive remuneration package including outpatient medical reimbursement, hospitalisation & life insurance, and gratuity. The successful candidate will be appointed on a fixed-term contract of three (3) years, inclusive of a six-month probationary period. Confirmation of appointment is subject to satisfactory completion of probation.
A. Project Planning and Implementation.
- Support the development and maintenance of the project work plan and activity schedules, in close coordination with the ACCC and Aus4ASEAN Futures;
- Conduct the administrative and logistical arrangements for the overall operational day-to-day activities of the project, as follows:.
- Assist the project in drafting letters, memos, press releases, speeches, meeting documents, and other documents;
- Prepare and manage schedules of meetings/workshops related to the project;
- Provide programming and administrative support in coordinating with TSSP for regional events, and undertake the associated ASEAN/ASEC documentation requirements, including invitation letters, travel authorisation requests, and meeting documents.
B. Monitoring and Reporting.
- Monitor implementation against the project work plan and the Aus4ASEAN Futures monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) framework;
- Assist the drafting of meetings, workshops, and project reports;
- Support complementary monitoring and evaluation activities undertaken by Aus4ASEAN Futures, including post-project reflection sessions;
- Maintain current and accurate records of all activities related to the project;
- Maintain an accessible and well-organised filing system, storage and security of project documents.
C. Financial and Contract Administration.
- Coordinate with Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), the Finance and Budget Division of the ASEAN Secretariat, Aus4ASEAN Futures, and ASEAN Secretariat CCPID in processing financial documents, including record keeping of expenditure, invoices, and financial settlements associated with this project.
D. Communication and Stakeholder Engagement.
- Assist in facilitating meetings and other relevant activities related to competition and consumer protection, including coordination with ASEAN Member States, Aus4ASEAN Futures, ACCC, and consultants;
- Upload and maintain project outputs, publications, and e-learning materials on the AEGC and ACCP websites; post and monitor press releases and coordinate with Aus4ASEAN Futures on joint press releases, as necessary;
- Conduct the formatting and designing of outputs for publications;
- Support inclusive participation across project activities, including accessible venue arrangements and the maintenance of disaggregated participation records; and
- Perform other relevant tasks as required by CCPID.
- Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent degree) with academic qualifications in Economics, Management, Social Sciences, International Relations, Public Policy, Development Studies, and/or relevant studies; or Bachelor’s degree with at least two (2) years of working experience in project coordination, programme management, regional cooperation, international development, or related fields.
- Demonstrated experience in managing or supporting regional or international projects, preferably involving ASEAN.
- Familiarity with competition policy, consumer protection, or economic regulation, and with ASEAN sectoral processes is desirable.
- Working knowledge of ASEAN and the ASEAN Secretariat is desirable.
- Prior work experience in Australian Government-funded programs or projects is an advantage.
- Strong oral and written communication and interpersonal skills, with excellent command of the English language, and experience in cross-cultural and international settings.
- Demonstrated ability to multi-task and agility to learn apply new skills.