Staff Writer 1 for the ASEAN Magazine Phase 4

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was founded in 1967 with the purpose of promoting regional cooperation in Southeast Asia, in the spirit of equality and partnership and thereby contribute towards peace, progress and prosperity in the region. ASEAN comprises eleven countries in Southeast Asia, with Timor-Leste being admitted as an ASEAN Member State during the 47th ASEAN Summit on 26 October 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It was proclaimed a Community through the “Kuala Lumpur Declaration on ASEAN 2025: Forging Ahead Together”, signed by the ASEAN Leaders during their 27th Summit 2015. The ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future articulates the collective aspiration of the ASEAN Community to realise a resilient, innovative, dynamic, and people-centred ASEAN by 2045, envisioning a developed ASEAN as the epicentre of growth in the Indo-Pacific region.

The ASEAN Magazine is a project with the ASCC Analysis Division as the proponent. The ASEAN Magazine provides analyses on issues affecting ASEAN and communicates these in an accessible manner, while maintaining high editorial standards. It features programmes and achievements of all three pillars (ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC), ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC), as well as Community and Corporate Affairs Department (CCAD), and ASEAN Connectivity and the broader ASEAN Community, contributing to greater understanding of ASEAN’s work among people in the region and beyond.

The first issue of the magazine was released in May 2020, supported by ASEAN-India under the 2019-2021, 2021-2023, and 2024-2026 project cycle, and subsequent issues have been published regularly since then.  The magazine has reached strong audiences through print and digital channels, with copies available in 24 libraries and community centres across the region and about 4 million views on its microsite and social media platforms since early 2025.

For the 2026 – 2028 project cycle, the magazine will provide12 regular and 4 special issues. Regular issues consist of 56-64 pages and feature both thematic and general section, covering important issues and ASEAN’s projects implemented to address these issues. Special issues will be 40 pages long and will focus on one issue that needs to be highlighted or prepared to support a high-level event.

Themes for The ASEAN Magazine will be aligned with the ASEAN Vision 2045 and its accompanying Strategic Plans and the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The content will draw from priorities, initiatives, achievements, and strategic developments across the APSC, AEC, ASCC, and ASEAN Connectivity. This is intended to ensure that the magazine serves as a whole-of-ASEAN publication that reflects ASEAN's integrated community-building efforts and cross-sectoral priorities. With support from the CCAD, the ASEAN Secretariat is inviting qualified Indonesian citizens or ASEAN Nationals who are already residing and eligible to work in Indonesia to apply for the position of Staff Writer 1 (Editorial Content and Research) for the ASEAN Magazine Phase 4.

Remuneration and Benefits:
The successful candidate will be offered a lump-sum remuneration aligned with the Officer level. He/She is expected to commence employment as soon as approval is obtained and continue until 31 March 2028. The contract may be extended for a few more months depending on the project needs. Please note that the term of engagement covers only the duration of Phase 4 of The ASEAN Magazine Project. Continuation beyond Phase 4 is not automatic and will be subject to a separate review. Performance evaluations will be conducted periodically following the ASEAN Secretariat Staff Regulations (ASSR).

Responsibilities

This role is a project staff position under the ASCC Analysis Division and will report directly to the Editor-in-Chief and the ASCC Analysis Division. The Staff Writer 1 shall be responsible for:

1. Assisting the Editor-in-Chief and Associate Editor in conducting research and preparing The ASEAN Magazine.

• Collect data and relevant information for the magazine, such as recent activities of AEC and Connectivity sectoral bodies, as well as success stories from ASEAN Member States.
• Conduct basic analysis and write articles for the magazine.
• Identify and coordinate relevant resource people and conduct interviews.
• Generate or design visual content such as infographics, charts, diagrams, and pictures.
• Perform proofreading functions ensuring that changes have been accurately incorporated in consultation with the person responsible, as necessary, by checking successive versions of edited and translated documents against previous versions, in accordance with existing guidelines.
• Proofread captions for photos and charts in the magazine and check the source of images and other materials included in the publication to ensure that they conform to appropriate use under copyright.

2. Supporting broader institutional reporting.

• Support the ASCC Analysis Division as requested in preparing various corporate publications, cross-sectoral briefings, and contributing for ASCC knowledge platform, among others.
• Undertake basic communication with other divisions at the ASEAN Secretariat and stakeholders outside the ASEAN Secretariat in relation to The ASEAN Magazine.
• Assist in tracking project implementation schedules, action plans, and operational workflows to proactively prevent publication delays.
• Undertake any other tasks as directed by the Editor-in-Chief and Associate Editor.
• Demonstrate rigour and discipline to avoid publication delays.
• Ensure adherence to the ASEAN Secretariat Staff Regulations (ASSR).

Qualifications

• At least an advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent degree); in journalism, communication, social sciences, international relations, or other appropriate field; or a Bachelor’s or equivalent degree with a minimum of two years (2) of work experience in journalism or other publication, outreach, or relevant field. 
• Demonstrated research and writing skills and ability to present information creatively. 
• Competency in computer skills with adequate knowledge of Microsoft Office, Excel, and Outlook. Familiarity with desktop-publication software such as Quark XPress and Adobe InDesign. Good skills in graphic design and ability to operate Photoshop, CorelDraw, Illustrator, or similar programmes are desirable. 
• Demonstrated good oral and written communication skills and interpersonal skills, including experience in cross-cultural environments and international settings. 
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain excellent working relationships with stakeholders. 
• Demonstrated commitment to collaborative work practices. 
• Proven ability for accuracy under pressure and adherence to deadlines. 
• Excellent command of English, written and spoken.

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