Country Representative, Timor-Leste

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Dili, Timor-Leste

Exciting opportunity for a three‑year employment term, with the potential for even more extensions down the line!

The Asia Foundation (TAF) seeks a dynamic and experienced professional to serve as the Country Representative, Timor Leste, based in Dili. This is the senior-most Foundation employee in Timor Leste and leads all programs, external relations, and operations in accordance with organizational strategies, policy, and guidelines. The Country Representative oversees all aspects of the Foundation’s work in Timor Leste, including new program development;

design, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting of program activities; and the development and cultivation of effective working relationships with the host government, donors, partner agencies, diplomatic missions, national and international institutions, and the media. This position also oversees fundraising and the diversification of donor support, financial and grant management, administration, security, recruitment, supervision, and appraisal of staff. The Country Representative reports to the Chief of Operations for Asia & the Pacific.

• Tracks and analyzes information on Timor Leste’s socio-economic, political, and foreign policy dynamics and trends, and leads implementation of an integrated country strategy in compliance with the Foundation’s priorities.
• Develops and implements proactive fundraising strategies to diversify funding sources and achieve program objectives.
• Oversees the preparation of programming proposals in accordance with Foundation and donor protocols; builds and maintains effective diplomatic and donor networks to support new program development.
• Oversees comprehensive program management (design, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting), ensuring programs achieve donor, Foundation, and partner objectives and financial regulations.
• Assures the quality, impact/scale, and cost-effectiveness of the country program; works closely with other country offices and headquarters to design and carry out multi‑country programs and events; maintains, updates, and ensures the availability of accurate program information, documentation, and publications, including submissions of high‑quality plans and reports to donors and the Foundation.

• Establishes and maintains professional relationships with the host government, national institutions, program partners, development assistance agencies, donors, diplomatic missions, NGOs, and other stakeholders.
• Establishes and maintains constructive public relations in Timor Leste, assures a positive profile through media coverage of programs and events, and takes remedial action where needed in the case of any reputational risk to the Foundation.
• Leads and engages in Southeast Asia regional and multi‑country programming, working closely with other Foundation country offices.
• Participates in meetings and events to enhance public awareness of the Foundation and expand its professional network.
• Prepares articles, written materials, and documentation about Timor and the Southeast Asia regional development programs, issues, and trends for publication.
• Participates in Foundation meetings and other relevant professional forums and events.

• Oversees and ensures successful office operations, including compliance with Government of Timor Leste regulations and statutory reporting.
• Provides leadership to staff—maintaining morale, fostering teamwork, and ensuring an understanding of the main elements of the office’s strategy and connection to the broader Foundation.
• Ensures that staff understand and comply with Foundation policies, including ethics, conflict of interest, prevention of fraud, gender equality, child protection, and prevention of sexual exploitation and harassment policies.
• Oversees safety and security of Foundation staff and facilities, ensuring compliance with Enterprise Risk Management standards and all minimum operating safety and security standards as…