Background
Australia Awards Timor-Leste (AATL) is a seven-year program (1 July 2022 - 30 September 2029) with an overall budget of AUD 12 million.
Australia Awards are prestigious scholarships offered by the Australian Government to the next generation of global leaders to undertake study, research, and professional development in Australia. As of May 2026, 403 alumni (42% women, including six men with disability and one woman with disability) have successfully their completed studies in Australia. After graduation, returning alumni become members of the Timor-Leste Australia Alumni Association (TL3A) which offers a range of continuing professional development and networking activities which enable alumni to enhance their contributions and impact back home.
AATL also offers a range of short courses in Timor-Leste and Australia, for both Australia Awards alumni and other participants. This includes English language training targeting people with disability and other underrepresented groups in the scholarship program, and an annual Women in Leadership Program.
AATL activities aim to achieve the following program outcomes:
- Outcome 1: Diverse Timorese alumni use their skills, knowledge, and networks to contribute to sustainable and inclusive development.
- Outcome 2: Diverse Timorese alumni contribute to cooperation between Australia and Timor-Leste.
Australia Awards Timor-Leste (AATL) is managed by Palladium International on behalf of the Australian Government.
Purpose of Position
The Senior Program Officer (Scholarship and Alumni Support) plays a key role in the administration of AATL short courses and provides programmatic support to both Australia Awards Scholarship (AAS) and TL3A activities. The responsibilities of the Senior Program Officer (SPO) include planning and administration of program activities, as well as monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) responsibilities. The SPO implements these responsibilities in accordance with the Services order between Palladium and the Australian Government, and in full compliance with the Australia Awards Policy Handbook and the TL3A Statute.
Primary Responsibilities
The primary responsibilities of the SPO are to:
- Support the Senior Coordinator (Scholarship and Alumni Support) in the efficient delivery of the Australia Awards Scholarship (AAS) program and its sub-components. This includes:
- Helping develop and monitor the AAS workplan, and manage pre-award, on-award, and post-award activities for scholarship recipients;
- Independently facilitating in-person and online information sessions, and providing accompaniment, mentoring and advice for scholarship applicants;
- Helping and coordinate Australia Awards Selection process include English language preparation and testing, providing information to applicants about Australian tertiary education providers and courses, scheduling interviews, and communicating with applicants regarding the AAS selection process;
- Supporting pre-departure activities including visa/mobilisation arrangements and helping coordinate and facilitate pre-departure briefings.
- With guidance from the Senior Coordinator, play a leading role in managing the delivery of AATL short courses. This includes leading recruitment and selection of participants, liaising with training providers, and contributing to monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) for short course activities. It also includes playing an active role in ensuring activities are implemented on schedule and within budget.
- Working alongside the Alumni Secretariat Coordinator, support the delivery of AAS post-award activities including helping facilitate semi-annual reintegration workshops and organise other alumni activities and events.
- Support promotional activities for AAS, TL3A, and other AATL short course opportunities, including collaborating with the Communications Officer and/or freelance consultants to help develop communications materials (e.g. flyers, posters, videos).
- Support AATL data collection and management processes for AAS, TL3A and AATL short courses with a high degree of accuracy and in line with AATL monitoring, evaluation and learning requirements.
- Help facilitate regular internal reviews of scholarship and short course promotion and selection activities, to ensure continuous improvement and innovation within AATL activities.
- Provide support to women, people with disability, and people from municipalities outside of Dili to equitably access AAS, short courses, and TL3A activities, including ensuring any reasonable adjustments and accommodations as required.
- Ensure AAS, short course, and TL3A activities fully comply with all relevant Palladium and Australian Government policies and processes (including procurement processes), as outlined in the Project Operation Manual.
- Coordinate and participate in meetings, engage with stakeholders, and represent Australia Awards Timor-Leste in different forums as required.
- Perform other tasks as required and agreed by the Senior Coordinator (Scholarship and Alumni Support) and Alumni Secretariat Coordinator
Reporting Requirements
Reporting requirements for the SPO include:
- Regularly updating AAS, short course and TL3A databases with accurate and timely information, and providing updates and data as required to support AATL MEL and reporting requirements.
- Providing regular updates and/or brief reports relating to AAS promotion, selection, and pre-departure processes; post-award and alumni activities; and short course training opportunities.
- Undertaking regular performance reviews (informally every six months, and formally every 12 months) with the Senior Coordinator.
Note that all information must be stored securely following Palladium processes, and the SPO must ensure the confidentiality and safekeeping of all documents relating to AATL activities including the AAS selection process.
Supervision and Relationships
The SPO reports to the AATL Senior Coordinator (Scholarship and Alumni Support) and also works in close collaboration with the Alumni Secretariat Coordinator. In addition, the SPO is expected to develop and maintain collaborative, professional relationships with:
- The entire AATL team, including operations and finance personnel, program personnel and senior management.
- AAS and short course alumni, representatives of the Australian Embassy, as well as other stakeholders and suppliers.
As a member of a small team, the SPO will be expected to work autonomously and in collaboration with others as required.
Qualifications, Skills and Experience Required
- Bachelor degree qualifications in a relevant area of study or equivalent work expertise/experience;
- Demonstrated experience supporting program operations and activity implementation for Timor-Leste development programs, preferably in the education sector;
- Demonstrated ability to develop and implement workplans and manage activity budgets;
- Experience establishing and maintaining productive relationships with a range of stakeholders, including with international donor agencies, tertiary/training institutions, and/or government;
- Strong administration, communication and facilitation skills, and the ability to deliver a range of activities including information sessions, pre-departure briefings, workshops, and other events;
- Experience collecting and managing disaggregated participant data and using Excel and/or other data management software to ensure accurate and timely reporting;
- Well-developed oral and written English and Tetun language skills, and the ability to communicate professionally in both languages;
- Ability to work independently, prioritise tasks, show initiative, and adapt within a busy and program;
- Ability to work effectively with individuals and teams across all levels of the program;
- Demonstrated analytical, problem-solving and risk management skills;
- Understanding and familiarity with the Australia Awards Scholarship program and/or Timor-Leste Australia Alumni Association (TL3A); and
- Prior experience working on Australian Government-funded programs (desirable).
How to Apply
To apply, please send your CV and cover letter to: [email protected] and cc to [email protected]
Subject: AATL Senior Program Officer (Scholarship and Alumni Support)
Deadline: 8 June 2026 (late applications will not be considered)
Selected applicants should be available to start working in July 2026.
