The job description is ambitious but oddly familiar. The selected candidate will shape national outcomes for over 275 million people, manage a multitrillion rupiah budget and coordinate across ministries, regional governments and a constantly shifting political landscape. All of this must be done while maintaining a calm public image and delivering the occasional ceremonial smile. 

Core requirements include demonstrated leadership experience, a track record of strategic thinking, strong communication skills and the ability to manage complex situations in high-pressure environments without triggering a social media uproar. Candidates must hold a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in any relevant field. A master’s or doctorate is considered an advantage, though actual competence remains non-negotiable. 

The ideal applicant is expected to navigate bureaucracy with grace, absorb criticism without calling a press conference and remain composed while trending online for reasons beyond their control. 

It turns out the link works. The application form is live, hosted on a clean government-branded page with a surprisingly decent user experience. The fields include the usual information such as education history, employment background and references, alongside more creative prompts such as “describe your vision for national transformation in under 500 words” and “how would you respond to a viral hashtag calling for your resignation.” 

There is a section to upload your CV and another, clearly marked optional, for campaign-style photos that may or may not involve traditional dress or aerial drone shots. 

At first, the idea catches you off guard. A potential minister applying through LinkedIn, submitting a CV, writing a vision statement and attending an interview sounds more like a corporate recruitment process than a pathway to public office.