Junior Communications Strategist (Jakarta)

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 $9 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.

Essential Duty Elements

The Junior Communications Strategist will play an integral role in enhancing the visibility and impact of U.S. business initiatives in Indonesia, working closely with internal teams and external stakeholders. This position supports the development and execution of Bahasa Indonesia-language content creation, media engagement, and strategic communication to promote the positive contributions of U.S. businesses in Indonesia on the “America Matters for Indonesia” project. This position offers a unique opportunity to develop communication expertise while supporting impactful projects strengthening U.S.-Indonesia economic and diplomatic relations.

Responsibilities

• Develop high-quality written content, including progress reports, articles, and promotional materials that highlight project milestones and outcomes, showcasing the positive impact of U.S. business in Indonesia.
• Maintain accurate documentation throughout project lifecycle, ensuring transparency and compliance with relevant legal and ethical requirements.
• Assist in organizing and managing press engagements, creating press materials, and developing media strategies that highlight the role of U.S. businesses in Indonesia.
• Maintain effective communication with government officials, project partners, and other stakeholders, serving as primary contact for the U.S. Embassy, to ensure smooth information flow and alignment.
• Ensure consistent messaging and branding across online channels, monitoring online engagement and relations with external vendors.
• Support programming such as workshops, briefings, and related events to advance the project objectives and maximize audience engagement.
• Work cross-functionally with the USABC and US Embassy Communications teams, relevant industry and country teams, and external stakeholders (e.g., media) to execute high-quality outreach initiatives aligned with organizational objectives.
• Provide communication insights and support to align project initiatives with the USABC’s mission, fostering synergy across multiple departments.
• In concert with the Strategic Communications Lead and Director of Strategic Initiatives undertake necessary and appropriate steps to provide communications advice on project initiatives.
• Support for USABC programs as needed, subject to supervisor approval and deemed relevant to data collection for America Matters for Indonesia Project.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college in Business Administration, International Relations, Political Science, Asian Studies, or a related field.
• Exposure to American companies, especially those in Indonesia, is preferred.
• A minimum requirement for this ASEAN based position is the ability to work legally in Indonesia on a permanent basis, and throughout ASEAN. Fluency in Bahasa Indonesia is required.
• Must abide by the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of the United States and USABC’s Commitment to Diversity, Anti-Discrimination, and Anti-Harassment Policy.
• Demonstrated experience in media, digital platforms, and/or event planning.
• Must have excellent research skills and be able to learn and absorb quickly. Excellent working knowledge of Internet research and MS Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint is required.

Preferred Skills

• Familiarity with social media management, content creation, and project reporting.
• 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 simultaneously and function in a fast-paced environment.
• Must be willing to work beyond normal business hours in order to speak with colleagues in Southeast Asia, participate in occasional staff calls and consult with Council members based in Asia.
• Needs to be member-focused and maintain good and open working relationships with the Council’s 180+ member companies and their representatives.
• Must be fluent in English with excellent written and verbal communication skills. Should be able to demonstrate the ability to produce high-quality English-language publications.
• Must be able to interact 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.
• Needs to have knowledge of Southeast Asia, including its history, culture, politics, and business environment.
• Knowledge of ASEAN as an organization and its key programs and players is a plus.

Additional Notes:

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

Application Procedure

To apply to the Council’s Junior Strategic Strategist position, please submit a cover letter, resume, and brief writing sample (no more than two pages).