The Data 4 Development (D4D) Fellowship Program will support qualified Indonesian civil servants to undertake a three-month fellowship at CSIRO’s data and digital specialist arm, Data61.
The first round of the fellowship will run from October to December 2023.
Expressions of interest close on 13 August 2023.
About the program
The D4D Fellowship Program focuses on building capacity in data and design, and facilitating locally led innovation and solutions.
The program is currently being piloted in Indonesia.
Successful applicants will travel to Australia for three-months, working with experts at Data61 to solve complex, high-value development and data related problems.
Data61’s capabilities range from cybersecurity, confidential computing, robotics, machine learning and analytics, software and programming, to behavioural sciences and more.
The program aims to:
- provide you with access to high-end professional development opportunities in Australia, advancing your knowledge and skills
- build data skills within fellows’ originating agencies
- help solve difficult, high-value development and data-related problems
- develop long-term institutional links between Australian and Indonesian government bodies and departments
- contribute to economic development, poverty alleviation, security and stability across Indonesia
Fellows will live in Australia over the three-month fellowship, with all expenses covered by the program. Fellows will be supported through the program to apply for appropriate visas and insurance documents, find accommodation, and acclimate to Australia. Fellows will be hosted by Data61 in Canberra, Sydney or Melbourne.
What you’ll get out of the program
Participating in the D4D Fellowship Program will provide you with:
- opportunities to be mentored by experts in your field
- networking opportunities with Australian researchers and engineers, seeking and sharing advice and guidance
- the control to oversee the direction of your project in consultation with your agency supervisors
- access to, and participation in, the Australia Global Alumni Network
- additional opportunities to benefit your career, increase your capability and confidence to tackle challenges with data, and to lead organisational change
The program is managed by CSIRO and funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
Requirements to participate in the program
To participate in the program, you must:
- be a civil servant from BSSN (State Cyber and Security Agency of Indonesia), Bappenas (Ministry of National Development Planning), or BPS (Central Agency on Statistics)
- have significant cyber and/or data analytics (preferably AI/ML) capability
- have a clearly defined problem and a viable proposal for how to address the issue
- have full support from your ministry/agency, both during the fellowship and for implementation of outcomes upon your return
- be in an appropriate position to implement the project upon return from Australia
- be eligible to travel and stay in Australia from October to December 2023
- be able to participate within the fellowship timetable
- be fluent in English
The applicant’s English language competency is part of the selection process; however, there will be no official language test. The assessment of language competency is based on a phone interview and any additional evidence provided by the applicant (for examples: proof of studies or living in an English-speaking country or working in an English-speaking environment; completion of studies in English, or language course or language tests).
Examples of past approved projects
The D4D Fellowship Program is modelled off the Australian Public Service (APS) Data Fellowship Program. Examples of successful projects in the APS Data Fellowship Program include:
- A Fellow from the Department of Finance built expenditure models for evidence-based policy design using a variety of health-related datasets.
- A Fellow from Treasury used machine-learning techniques to forecast real GDP growth in Australia and to compare the accuracy of this modelling approach to methods that are currently used.
- A Fellow from the Department of Health developed a microsimulation model for hospitalisation risk in chronic disease patients.
- A Fellow from the Department of the Environment and Energy developed an empirical model using machine learning algorithms with the aim to predict the changes of terrestrial soil carbon. This model is intended for use as a validation tool for the official estimates of greenhouse gas emissions from changes in soil carbon in Australia’s crop and grass lands.
- A Fellow from the Department of Social Services examined the effectiveness of the Commonwealth Financial Wellbeing and Capability Activity towards improving wellbeing outcomes for financially disadvantaged Australians, using robust analysis of administrative data.
Indicative timeline of the program
| Date | Stage |
|---|---|
| 31 July – 13 August 2023 | Stage 1 - calls for expression of interest |
| 14 – 16 August 2023 | Expression of interest reviewed; applicants to be notified of success |
| 17 – 28 August 2023 | Stage 2 - shortlisted applicants to develop detailed proposals |
| 28 August – 6 September 2023 | Detailed proposals reviewed. Applicant interviews |
| 7 – 8 September 2023 | Stage 3 - two selected fellows notified |
| 11 – 29 September | Stage 4 - pre-departure preparations. Fellows to conduct pre-fellowship activities that can be delivered remotely |
| October 2023 – December 2023 | Fellowship conducted in Australia |
| January 2024 – March 2024 | Final reporting and activities conducted in-country |
How to apply
As the first stage of the selection process, please submit an expression of interest.
The expression of interest should include:
- a response in relation to the expected qualifications, which may include proof of English proficiency
- an outline of the problem and proposal of the solution to the problem
- CV (no more than three pages)
For more information about preparing your response, please review the below documents:
Request for expression of interest
- Request for expression of interest PDF (196 KB)
- Request for expression of interest (accessible text) TXT (13 KB)
Template for expression of interest
- Template for expression of interest PDF (122 KB)
- Template for expression of interest (accessible text) TXT (3 KB)
Expression of interest
Please submit the expression of interest and CV in English to D4DFellowships@csiro.au by 13 August 2023.
We will send you an email confirming we have received your expression of interest within two working days.
Questions
Questions about the program or the selection process can be sent to D4DFellowships@csiro.au.
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