Job Title

The Lowy Institute is Australias leading international policy think tank. It is independent, nonpartisan and at the centre of Australias foreign policy and national security debates. Located in Sydney, the Institute produces worldclass research and provides distinctive perspectives on the trends shaping Australia and the world, aiming to give Australia a greater voice on the international stage. The Lowy Institute hosts distinguished Australian and international speakers on foreign policy, defence, politics, aid, and development. With a focus on the Asia-Pacific region, the Institutes research, events, and conferences attract significant global attention, and our experts produce commentary for the worlds leading news outlets. The Institute is seeking an exceptional Program Director to lead its Southeast Asia program. We would welcome candidates who could also lead the Asia Power Index. ABOUT THE ROLE The Program Director for Southeast Asia conducts research on the major strategic, economic and political developments in Southeast Asia. The role leads a program of research, events, outreach and commentary in Australian and international media. The successful candidate will liaise with a range of stakeholders, including government, nongovernment organisations and the corporate sector. There is also an exciting opportunity to lead the Asia Power Index one of the Lowy Institutes flagship publications. This may be a project led by the Program Director for Southeast Asia or an additional Project Lead working with the Program Director. The Index maps the changing distribution of power in the region, alongside secondary datadriven assessments. Leading the Index requires shaping an influential project which contributes to strategic discourse in Australia and the region on greatpower competition, middlepower diplomacy, and the evolving regional balance of power. ABOUT YOU Candidates will have a minimum of ten years professional experience in Asian strategic issues, with a high degree of literacy in Southeast Asian foreign affairs. They will be data literate and possess the capacity to produce original research, insights and policy ideas. Candidates will need to demonstrate a strong record of achievement in academia, think tanks, journalism or policymaking. Candidates should be dynamic and selfstarting individuals with excellent analytical and communications skills and confident presentation. They should be clear and expressive writers, with strong interpersonal skills, exceptional organisational skills and significant project management experience. They should have an advanced university degree in international relations, security studies, Asian studies, economics, political economy, or a related field. Candidates should indicate their suitability and interest in leading the Asia Power Index in addition to the duties of the Southeast Asia program. Ability to lead the Index is desirable but not an essential criterion, and the Institute may make alternative arrangements for the Index depending on the particular expertise of candidates. The successful candidate will join the organisation at a level commensurate with experience, and with salary and benefits set accordingly. HOW TO APPLY Please send a copy of your CV and cover letter to [email protected] by 16 January 2026. Interested candidates are encouraged to submit their application as soon as possible. For additional information regarding the role, please contact Lowy Institute recruitment via the email above. Seniority level Not Applicable Employment type Fulltime Job function Research Industries Think Tanks #J-18808-Ljbffr