Overview

The US-ASEAN Business Council is the premier advocacy organization for U.S. corporations operating within the dynamic Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), serving as the leading voice of the U.S. private sector in promoting mutually beneficial trade and investment relationships between the United States and Southeast Asia. The Council is the only U.S.-based organization recognized in the ASEAN charter as a supporting organization of ASEAN. The Council's members include more than 180 of the most successful and innovative corporations in the world, including Apple, Boeing, Citi, The Coca-Cola Company, Google, and Microsoft. Combined, these 180+ companies generate over $7 trillion in revenue and employ more than 13 million people worldwide.

Cradled between China, India and Australia, ASEAN is the third-largest economy in the Indo-Pacific and the fifth largest in the world with a GDP of $2.8 trillion and a population of 650 million. As a critical hub for global trade, more than $3.4 trillion in global trade transits through ASEAN each year. In 2019, ASEAN became the 4th largest goods export market for the U.S. after Canada, Mexico, and China, reaching over $105 billion in exports in goods and services. It has also attracted more U.S. investment than any other destination in the whole of Indo-Pacific, receiving almost $329 billion in investment, more than the United States has directed to China, India, Japan, and South Korea combined.

Job Description

The Country Representative for Indonesia is a hybrid, full-time contract position, located in Jakarta, Indonesia, reporting to the Chief Country Representative for Indonesia. The incumbent prepares and reports results in conjunction with team members to the Senior Leadership team (Core-6) and the position may require domestic and/or regional travel. The Country Representative supports the Chief Country Representative in managing Indonesia office as well as identifying and executing special projects in coordination with the Special Initiatives team.

The position supplies research information to USABCI programs on an ad-hoc basis to advance national security interests and U.S. private sector leadership throughout Southeast Asia. Initiatives include partnerships with the U.S. private sector, U.S. Department of Defense/War, and other relevant U.S. government agencies. For this reason, the position requires occasional domestic or regional travel to collect research data. 

The Country Representative is expected to have existing high- and working-level contacts in the Indonesia Government before starting the role, with opportunities to develop those contacts further. Key government stakeholders include the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, Ministry of Industry, Ministry of Trade, Ministry of Communication and Digital, Ministry of Health, and Ministry of Finance, among others. In addition, s/he is expected to develop deep analysis on key national issues, and knowing in the detail the current priority business, trade and investment issues for the Council’s member companies. The Country Representative will work closely with the Chief Country Representative to drive the Council’s strategy and advocacy efforts in Indonesia. S/he also must manage the Council’s Manager and Associates, ensuring the Jakarta team works efficiently and effectively.

Responsibilities

• Represent the Council in Indonesia, in coordination with the Chief Country Representative, to the Government of Indonesia, members, potential members and other associations, industry organizations and key stakeholders. 
• Undertake necessary and appropriate steps to support U.S.-based programs of the Council by providing appropriate advice and information with respect to the Council’s and Council Member’s interests and activities.  
• Work cross-functionally to position corporate messages, create advocacy among stakeholders and reinforce efforts to properly position private sector views.
• Develop and lead public initiatives around trade policy in Indonesia as well as specific industries.
• Work directly with Council members to drive initiatives in Indonesia by identifying local government priorities and expanding on public-private engagement opportunities such as regular dialogs and consultations.
• Develop programming such as roundtables, briefings, seminars, and workshops that advance the objectives of the member companies and transfer knowledge.
• Develop surveys and use data in educational workshops, research papers, formal and ad hoc meetings, and events required to achieve objectives.
• Create strong relationships and new partnerships with governments, U.S. Embassy, ASEAN Secretariat, multilateral organizations, trade associations, think tank and other key stakeholders.
• Coordinate with other American, Foreign Chambers and Indonesian organizations in Indonesia where appropriate
• Monitor implications of policy and political activity in Indonesia and provide regular updates to member companies.
• Publish reports using results of research to the Council’s website as a subject matter expert.
• Assist in the retention of current Council members and recruitment of new members. 
• Arrange meeting requests with Indonesia government officials and other officials in Indonesia for Council members as well as Council management
• In concert with the Chief Country Representative, Maritime Southeast Asia Director, Indonesia Managers and Associate, undertake necessary and appropriate steps to provide strategic advice on policy matters.
• Work with the staff in Indonesia, Washington, DC and throughout Southeast Asia to ensure all projects and daily workload are being completed and escalated to the senior leadership as needed.
• Be available for conference calls at reasonable hours including weekly staff calls some of which will be outside normal business hours.  
• Support other Council initiatives, when necessary, including research for USABCI to advance national security interests and U.S. private sector leadership throughout Southeast Asia.
• Oversee the work of at least two staff and invest in their involvement in priority aspects of the Indonesia program and their professional growth

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college in Business Administration, International Relations, Political Science, Law, East Asian Studies or a related field. A Master’s Degree is a major plus.
• 10+ years working with government policymakers on sectoral issues, ideally in government, companies, consultancies, or trade associations and demonstrated knowledge and working experience in public policy, international business, and international trade.
• Demonstrable research skills and able to learn and absorb quickly and present the findings of his/her research in a systematic and effective manner. Excellent working knowledge of Internet research and MS Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint are required.
• At a minimum, applicant must have a bachelor’s degree in related field such as Economics, Political Science, Law, International Relations, or Public Policy. A master's degree is a plus.
• Fluency in Bahasa Indonesia and English with excellent written and verbal communication skills. Should be able to demonstrate the ability to produce high-quality English-language publications.
• Demonstrated ability to interact with senior corporate leaders and policymakers effectively and comfortably (C-suite/executive level). Exposure to U.S.companies, and/or education in the United States is desired.
• Demonstrated technical knowledge of policy trends and issues in Indonesia, Southeast Asia as a region and ASEAN as an institution as well as its history, culture, and business environment. Knowledge of Indonesia’s key programs, its bureaucratic structure and its key players is a major plus.
• Experience in successfully managing programs, events, and budgets, and tracking and advocating on policy issues.
• Excel in managing people from different backgrounds.
• Must be able to interact and build effective communication with all organizational levels including senior management of member companies, senior business leaders from ASEAN countries, senior government leaders from ASEAN countries, academics, think tanks and media. Need to be client-focused and maintain good and open working relationships with the Council’s 180+ member companies and their representatives.
• Must be able to work independently without significant direction and achieve concrete results.
• Must be organized, detail-oriented and be able to successfully handle multiple tasks at the same time and function in a fast-paced environment.
• Must have good research skills and be able to learn and absorb quickly
• Must have a good sense of logistics and ability to plan, run and executive programs
• Must be a strategic thinker who understand key variables and can execute a plan to move members’ issues forward
• Must be willing to work beyond normal business hours to coordinate with colleagues in the United States, participate in regular staff calls and consult with Council members based in the United States and other parts of Asia and the world.
• Must understand and abide by the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of the United States and USABC’s Commitment to Diversity, Anti-Discrimination, and Anti-Harassment Policy.

The position is only open to candidates who are presently eligible to work in Indonesia and do not require sponsorship.

**Due to the position’s travel requirements, at all times, the incumbent must maintain awareness of and proof of compliance with all immigration (visa) and CDC and WHO vaccination or other health requirements recommended for worldwide travel or be willing to fund job-related travel from personal funds. **

Application Procedures

To apply to the Council’s Country Representative position, please submit the following:

• Resume
• Two brief writing samples (no more than two pages each)
• Cover letter

The cover letter should include your availability and a brief description of your academic and professional goals.

Writing Sample Topics

Topic 1: Industry Policy and U.S Company Impact

Provide an analytical brief on key industry policy issues which currently shaping Indonesia’s investment climate for U.S. companies, and offer clear, actionable recommendations for U.S. companies and USABC. Choose one of the following areas to focus on:

1. Local Content Requirements (LCR)
2. Import Regulations
3. Energy policy
4. US Tariff Issues

Topic 2: Indonesia Political Landscape and Cabinet Dynamics 

Write an analytical overview of the current Indonesia government leadership and cabinet composition from a political-economy perspective. Identify the key power centers within President Prabowo’s administration, including notable ministers, party coalitions, and policy influencers. Evaluate the government priorities, legislative dynamics, and recent political shift could affect investor confidence and U.S. business interest. Conclude with insight on potential opportunities and risks for U.S. investors over the next 12-18 months.