Position Summary
The Asia Foundation seeks a dynamic and values-driven team leader for the Timor-Leste Australia Partnership for Disability Rights (TLAus4DisabilityRights), funded by the Australian government. Reporting to The Asia Foundation's country representative in Timor-Leste, the team leader is accountable for overall program management, performance, resources, and risk. The role facilitates Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) and the government of Timor-Leste leadership in the program's governance, priority setting, and accountability. The team leader represents the program, mobilizes specialist expertise, and supports an inclusive and values-driven team. The team leader's primary role is to support and influence rights-based, locally led, and system-level change through partnership, policy dialogue, facilitation, coordination, and institutional strengthening.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic and Technical Leadership
- Rights-based Leadership and Ways of Working
- Governance, Risk, and Safeguarding
- Team Leadership and People Management
- Partnerships, Representation, and Communications
- Program Quality Assurance and Delivery
Qualifications
Essential
- Relevant postgraduate degree in disability, international development, human rights, public policy, social sciences, organizational development, management, or related field.
- Demonstrated senior leadership and program management experience in complex disability rights, inclusive development, civil society strengthening, governance, or human development programs. Proven ability to lead and mentor multidisciplinary teams, manage competing priorities, and deliver results in complex operating environments.
- Technical depth to lead strategically across OPD movement strengthening, disability-specific services, rehabilitation, assistive technology, Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities/ Disability National Action Plan implementation, and disability-responsive government systems, including the ability to mobilize and quality assure specialists, without expertise in every area.
- Proven ability to build, broker, and sustain equitable, locally led partnerships, with strong facilitation, negotiation, and relationship management skills and an approach that strengthens rather than substitutes for local leadership and systems.
- Demonstrated experience achieving organizational, policy, or system-level change through complex multi-stakeholder partnerships with government institutions, civil society, and other stakeholders.
- Exceptional interpersonal skills and proven experience developing and maintaining trusted relationships with senior government officials, civil society leaders, development partners, and donors.
- Demonstrated experience working with diverse communities and stakeholders to strengthen equitable access, participation, and opportunities, including for women, persons with disabilities, and underserved populations, in ways that are responsive to local contexts.
- Demonstrated commitment to safeguarding, prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment, and creating a safe, inclusive, and accountable organizational culture.
- Strong strategic and analytical skills, with experience in adaptive management and leading outcome-focused monitoring, evaluation, and learning, including using evidence and partner feedback to adjust program strategy and delivery. Strong communication, negotiation, and representation skills, including high-quality, impactful reporting.
- Strong understanding of Timor-Leste's disability rights, government, and civil society context.
- Professional proficiency in English and Tetun, written and spoken.
Desirable
- Lived experience of disability (highly desirable).
- Working knowledge of and experience with Australian-funded or other donor-funded programs.
A detailed position description is available here.
Compensation and Benefits
The Asia Foundation offers a competitive salary and benefits package commensurate with experience, along with professional development opportunities.
How to Apply
Submit your CV and cover letter addressing the position criteria via our international careers page or via email to [email protected] by November 11, 2026, at 5 PM (Timor-Leste time). Use the subject line: "Team Leader – Disability Rights." Applications will be assessed on a rolling basis.
The Asia Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. Applications from persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged. We are committed to an accessible and inclusive recruitment process and will provide reasonable accommodations throughout. If you need any adjustments to apply, please contact [email protected] or call (+670) 331 3457.
