Cost Proposal Officer

Plan International; Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta; Hybrid; IDR 100.000.000 - 200.000.000; Full time

Job summary

An international humanitarian organization in Jakarta seeks a Cost Proposal Officer to develop competitive cost proposals for grant-funded projects. The ideal candidate will have at least 3 years of experience in budget development, advanced Excel skills, and effective communication abilities. This role involves close collaboration with various departments ensuring compliance with donor requirements while enhancing financial management processes.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in proposal budget development, preferably with international organizations.
• Effective English language skills for professional communication.
• Experience in capacity building support for non-finance staff.

Responsibilities

• Develop accurate and competitive cost proposals for grant-funded projects.
• Support proposal bids in collaboration with Program Development and Corporate Partnership.
• Ensure compliance with donor requirements in cost proposals.

Skills

Financial analysis

Proposal budget development

Advanced Excel skills

Negotiation abilities

Analytical problem-solving

Education

Bachelor’s in Accounting, Business Administration, Commerce or Finance

Tools

SAP

Job description

Plan International Overview

Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organization that advances children’s rights and equality for girls. Plan International has operated in Indonesia since 1969, and in 2017, Yayasan Plan International Indonesia (YPII) was established as a national entity of Plan International in Indonesia. YPII is currently implementing its Country Strategy 5 (CS 5) covering the fiscal year 2023 to 2027, where the country’s purpose is in line with the global Plan International’s Purpose “to advance children’s rights and equality for girls”. Our ambition is to enable at least 1 million girls and young women to learn (gain skills for work), lead (empower to take action on issues that matter to them), decide (have control over their own lives and bodies), and thrive (grow healthy and protected from violence). It means that we will take action to identify and facilitate the removal of obstacles that prevent children, especially girls, and young women from enjoying their rights and participating fully in Indonesian society. This goal will be achieved by implementing quality programmes and projects and influencing decision-makers and key stakeholders to make the required changes.

The Opportunity

The Cost Proposal Officer (CPO) is responsible for developing accurate and competitive cost proposals for local and international grant‑funded project proposals at Plan Indonesia. This role will work with Program Development and Corporate Partnership Unit, focusing primarily on the financial aspects of project design. Key responsibilities include preparing cost applications, budgets, as well as budget narratives and justification in coordination with program development, corporate partnership, program, finance unit, and other relevant functions in Plan Indonesia to ensure alignment with donor requirements and full‑costed project principles.

Key Responsibilities

1. System development for fully cost‑led project

• Evaluate fully cost recovery framework and ensure integration of direct, shared direct, indirect costs (in particular apportioned cost) in all cost proposals, drawing on best practices from previous budgeting exercises and refer to the standard cost guidance of Plan Indonesia.
• Identify and assess financial risks that may arise from cost proposals, such as pricing and currency volatility, regulatory shifts, and develop effective mitigation strategies to manage both financial and operational risks, while still maintaining the competitiveness of the project proposal.

2. New Proposal Development Support

• In collaboration with Program Development and Corporate Partnership units to support the development of new and ongoing proposal bids, including learning on donor requirements.
• Actively participate in proposal development team meetings, support meeting documentation, and follow‑up actions, including specific program package development workshops (e.g., education, climate, health, sanitation, WASH, etc.).
• Analyze project requirements, plans, and specifications to identify human resources, material, equipment, and service requirements.
• Liaise with finance counterparts at Plan International National Offices for any proposal development through NOs to ensure cost proposals are developed in compliance with donor requirements and NO regulations.
• Prepare detailed cost proposal budgets based on scope, specifications, and contract terms using appropriate estimating methodologies and tools.
• Develop clear budget narratives and justifications to support cost proposals and enhance donor understanding.
• Support partners in preparing partner budgets or sub‑grantee project budgets for any proposal developed in collaboration with partners (consortium) or adopting regranting mechanisms, by providing detailed review, constructive feedback, and guidance throughout the development process.
• Review and validate cost proposals to ensure alignment with internal policies, donor requirements, and regulatory standards, ensuring all necessary approvals are obtained.
• Conduct final checks and finalize proposal budgets, ensuring accurate alignment between Plan Indonesia’s internal templates and donor formats to meet submission requirements.

3. Financial Management and Administrative Functions

• Work in close coordination with the Finance Project Lead, Proposal Development Specialist, Partnership Capacity Building Specialist, and Corporate Partnership Manager to develop and enhance budgeting tools and templates that streamline cost proposal preparation and ensure donor compliance.
• Work with FPL to conduct analysis to ensure accuracy, cost effectiveness, and competitiveness of cost proposals, by leveraging market data, industry benchmarks, and historical trends for pricing/costing strategies.
• Maintain a comprehensive resource base of historical and current cost data, including program activities, equipment, supplies, office operations, and staffing, to support accurate and consistent budgeting, and inform the revision of guidance of unit cost standard.
• Maintain documentation of cost proposal details, assumptions, and justifications, and generate reports on proposal status, financial metrics, and key performance indicators for managerial review and strategic decision‑making.
• Participate in project inception/kick‑off meetings and deliver financial management training to Plan Indonesia staff following proposal award approval, supporting smooth transition to implementation.
• Provide supplementary accounting support as needed to enhance financial management processes.

4. Other Tasks

• Coordinate cross‑functionally to deliver updated and precise cost and pricing information.
• Share strategic insights and lessons learned in pricing methodology.
• Support supervisor (FPL) with additional assigned responsibilities that are relevant to her/his roles as cost proposal officer.

5. Safeguarding Children and Young People (Safeguarding), PSHEA, and Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI)

Ensure that Plan International’s global policies for Safeguarding Children and Young People and Gender Equality and Inclusion are fully embedded in accordance with the principles and requirements of the policy, including relevant Implementation Standards and Guidelines as applicable to their area of responsibility. This includes, but is not limited to, ensuring staff and associates are aware of and understand their responsibilities under these policies and Plan International’s Code of Conduct (CoC), their relevance to their area of work, and that concerns are reported and managed in accordance with the appropriate procedures.

Requirements for The Role

1. Experience and Knowledge

• Bachelor’s in Accounting, Business Administration, Commerce or Finance.
• Minimum of 3 years of relevant post‑qualification experience preferably within international organizations, INGOs, or bilateral development agencies.
• Experience in proposal budget development for Government Agencies, EU, UN, US, Australia, and other donors.
• Effective English language skills for professional communication, both verbal and written.
• Proficiency in computer software, with advanced Excel skills particularly in budget development and formula application.
• Demonstrates experience in providing capacity building support to non‑finance staff or sub‑grantees.
• Prior experience with SAP is preferred.

2. Skills

• Effective training and coaching skills.
• Strong analytical and financial problem‑solving abilities.
• Clear and adaptive communication skills, tailored to diverse audiences.
• Ability to work collaboratively in multidisciplinary and multicultural environments.
• Strong skills in negotiation, facilitation, and influence across diverse stakeholders.
• Good interpersonal skills and collaborative approach to teamwork.
• Proven ability to handle sensitive information with discretion and maintain confidentiality.

Location: Typical office environment in Jakarta. It is important to note that YPII currently applies a mix of working from Home and working from Office arrangements.

Reports to: straight line to Finance Project Lead

Closing Date: December 1st, 2025

HOW TO APPLY

All information will be treated in the strictest confidence, as we pride ourselves on our professional service. We will contact you as soon as we have reviewed your application.

Please submit your application letter and detailed curriculum vitae in English by clicking the yellow “Apply now >>” button on this page. The application deadline is December 1st, 2025.

A range of pre‑employment checks will be undertaken in conformity with Plan International’s Safeguarding Children and Young People policy (PSHEA).

As an international child‑centred community development organisation, Yayasan Plan International Indonesia is fully committed to promoting the realisation of children’s rights including their right to protection from violence and abuse.

We will provide equality of opportunity and will not tolerate discrimination on any grounds. We foster an organisational culture that embraces and exemplifies our commitment to gender equality, girls’ rights and inclusion while supporting staff to adopt good practices, positive attitudes and principles of gender equality and inclusion.

Please note that Plan International will never send unsolicited emails requesting payment from candidates.