Head of Program

Organizational Context

ChildFund Timor-Leste is the representative office of ChildFund Australia - an independent international development organisation that works to reduce poverty for children in developing communities.

ChildFund Australia is a member of the ChildFund Alliance - a global network of 11 organisations which assists almost 23 million children and their families in 70 countries. ChildFund Australia is a registered charity, a member of the Australian Council for International Development, and fully accredited by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade which manages the Australian Government's overseas aid program.

ChildFund began work in Timor-Leste in 1990, originally under the management of ChildFund International. Since October 2017 it has operated as an office of ChildFund Australia and works in partnership to create community and systems change which enables children and young people in vulnerable situations, to assert and realise their rights.

ChildFund Timor-Leste's projects focus on maternal and child health, nutrition, early childhood development, education, youth empowerment, child online protection and disaster preparedness. ChildFund Timor-Leste aims to demonstrate effectiveness and accountability in its program activities and add value to the efforts of its partners through quality programs that are respectful, responsive, and relevant in helping children living in poverty, their families, and communities.

ChildFund Timor-Leste is working with rural communities to build a new, stable, and prosperous future for what is one of the world's youngest nations.

Purpose of the Position

As Head of Programs, you will manage and coordinate the ChildFund Timor-Leste programs portfolio and build high performing teams in our programs department. You will ensure strong program management systems in all ChildFund's development and humanitarian programming. You will maintain and grow strategic relationships and quality local partnerships. You are committed to learning and actively support staff and local partners to learn with you. You are a champion for child rights and energized by our mission to achieve lasting results for children in Timor-Leste. You work closely with the Country Director to identify new business opportunities and drive the development of new proposals to secure program funding. You will be a proactive and contributing member of the Senior Leadership Team, reflecting the values of the organization.

Key Duties

• Provide leadership to the Programme Team towards achieving the objectives of the Country Strategy
• Ensure implementation, monitoring and reporting of projects in accordance with relevant Government, ChildFund Australia and Donor standards, policies, and priorities
• Lead, supervise and mentor programs staff and ensure an empowering work environment
• Lead development of quality project proposals and budgets & business development
• Represent the Country Office vis a vis relevant line ministries and in relevant working groups and fora
• Strengthen local partnerships and/or relationships, e.g., through capacity sharing to support localisation
• Develop and promote strong evaluation and learning practices
• Dynamic participation in the Senior Management Team
• Liaise with technical staff at ChildFund Australia regularly to ensure alignment with sector specific guidelines and best practices
• Promote and integrate gender equality, disability, and social inclusion into day-to-day work

Qualifications & Experience

• Tertiary qualifications in a relevant discipline
• Past professional experience in an (I)NGO setting or Government context with a minimum of 5 years of experience in managing multi sector programs
• Strong people management and mentoring skills
• Experience in partnership management and capacity sharing across local civil society organizations
• Experience in leading proposal, business development, and budget development
• Track record in strong program management
• Ability to develop and analyse budgets and financial reports
• Strong understanding and commitment to safeguarding, gender equality and inclusion

Desirable

• Experience in a child rights or child/youth focused organization and experience in our key expertise areas: Child Rights, (Early) Education, Health and Social Emotional wellbeing
• Experience with donor compliance requirements (i.e. DFAT, MFAT, UN, EU, and others)
• Post graduate qualifications or equivalent experience

Skills

• Strong leader, supporting others in achieving their and the organisation goals
• Excellent communicator, able to share and coordinate complex concepts in a pragmatic manner
• Pro-active and independent problem solver, thinker and motivator
• Flexible and adaptable to work with people from different backgrounds and in different countries
• Creative thinker and motivator, energetic, with an entrepreneurial spirit, change champion
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in Tetum and English

How to Apply

Please submit your CV and application letter via the link below, not later than 20 November 2026:

• Apply here

For the detailed TOR, please access: Final PD - Head of Program.docx

For questions or clarifications, please contact Nelita Ximenes at [email protected]

Safeguarding and Equal Opportunity

ChildFund Australia believes in a global community where children are safe and can reach their full potential. We take extensive steps to safeguard children in any work done by our people, i.e., our staff, volunteers and interns, supporters, partners, board members, ambassadors and suppliers. All people working with us will undergo relevant background checks before joining ChildFund Australia.

All staff must remain alert and responsive to any child safeguarding or sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment (SEAH) risks, and conduct themselves consistent with our Child Safeguarding and PSEAH policies and procedures.

ChildFund is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and strongly encourages people from all backgrounds, abilities, and identities to apply.