Deputy Country Representative, Timor-Leste

Position description

Deputy Country Representative, Timor-Leste 

Reports to:  Country Representative  

Supervision: Programs, Office Operations and People and Culture  

Location:  Dili, Timor-Leste, with travel to municipalities and the Asia Pacific region 

 

About The Asia Foundation  

The Asia Foundation (TAF) is an international nonprofit organization working to solve the toughest social and economic challenges in Asia and the Pacific. Informed by more than 70 years of experience and deep local knowledge, we work with partners across more than 20 countries through 17 offices to solve together for lasting progress. 

In Timor-Leste, TAF partners with government, civil society, the private sector and communities to deliver programs spanning governance, gender equality and disability inclusion, ending violence against women and children, labor mobility, security and justice, knowledge sector, and economic development. Our Dili office consists of approximately 60 staff, consultants, and interns. 

 

The Opportunity  

TAF is seeking an experienced and dynamic Deputy Country Representative (DCR) to help lead our Timor-Leste office. Reporting to the Country Representative (CR), the DCR plays a pivotal leadership role across both operations and programs - ensuring strong organizational systems, high-quality program delivery, and the continued growth of TAF’s portfolio and people. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to strategy, strengthen partnerships, and lead teams in a collaborative, mission-driven environment.  

 

Summary of Position Responsibilities  

Strategic Leadership:  

• Contribute to office-wide strategic planning, programs, and operations.  
• Identify and oversee the implementation of approaches that increase synergies and efficiencies within and between programs and operations in alignment with TAF’s strategic objectives and fiduciary responsibilities. 
• Strategic and proactive engagement with a diverse array of stakeholders to identify emerging trends and issues and opportunities for TAF programming. 
• Ensure alignment of systems and processes with organizational objectives and goals, as well as national regulations, donor and TAF requirements. 

Operations:  

• Develop and track office-wide operational budgets and expenditures in collaboration with the finance and program finance units. 
• Oversee operations team, ensuring compliance with grant and contract requirements, financial policies, and practices, as well as related regulations and procedures ensuring alignment with TAF policies and country regulations. This includes: 
  • Due diligence requirements of sub-grants and sub-contracts;  
  • Financial procedures and reporting;  
  • Personnel management;  
  • Workplace ethics, safeguarding, and health and safety;  
  • Organizational risk management and mitigation measures.  
• Engage with TAF headquarters and other country offices to identify, design and implement operational best practices. 

Programs:  

• Thought leadership on emerging areas for programmatic engagement for TAF. 
• Provide technical guidance to existing programming to ensure the achievement of long-term outcomes for TAF and its programs. 
• Directly manage projects, as required, across the full program cycle (from design and implementation to close out). 
• Contribute to or lead the development of fundraising strategies and plans; prepare proposals in accordance with TAF and donor protocols and guidelines. 
• Accountability for all project expenditures under their direct purview, ensuring alignment with donor and TAF policies. 
• Responsible for developing budgets and spending projections for existing and potential new programs. 
• Oversees the development of high-quality program reports, knowledge products, and external communications materials to strengthen program visibility and organizational goals. 

Supervision and Staff Development:  

• Participate in the recruitment, orientation, training, supervision, and development of staff under their purview, including developing job descriptions and terms of reference, as needed. 
• Undertake staff performance reviews and identifies and coordinates opportunities for the professional development of staff. 
• Utilising a mentoring approach, provides regular, ongoing performance feedback to staff. 

Representation:  

• Assist the CR in establishing and maintaining effective and professional relationships with the host government, national institutions, program partners, development assistance agencies, donors, diplomatic missions, national and international NGOs, professional associations, and academic and national institutions. 
• Participate in TAF meetings and other relevant professional forums and events. 

 

Relationships  

Internal  

• Daily contact with the CR, national and international staff; regular direction of consultants, interns, and external Foundation contractors. 
• Regular contact with TAF’s headquarters units in San Francisco, as well as other country offices and regional hubs. 

External  

• Regular contact with host government officials and agencies in Timor-Leste, national and international partners, consultants, and grantees. 
• Regular contact with bi-lateral and multi-lateral development assistance agencies, private sector and individual donors, diplomatic missions, national and international NGO directors and staff, professional associations, and academic and national institutions.  
• Engagement with national and international media as required by the Country Representative. 

Qualifications

While no one candidate will possess all the qualifications listed below, the ideal candidate will be passionate about The Asia Foundation’s mission and values, and bring many of the following skills and experiences: 

Education:  

• Master’s degree or equivalent advanced degree 

Experience:  

• 10+ years of relevant professional experience, including team leadership, program development and management in international settings. 
• Experience leading operations management (including personnel, finance, and administration), preferably in international development organizations. 
• Experience in program design and implementation, as well as financial and grants management. 
• Demonstrated experience identifying emerging areas for programming and leading proposal development and project inception. 
• Experience with program- and organization-level monitoring, evaluation, and learning. 
• Experience managing diverse teams and supporting staff professional development. 
• Demonstrated ability in team management, team building, and supervision through a mentoring approach. 
• Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills, and comfortable moving between managing day-to-day tasks and strategic office-wide initiatives within a dynamic environment. 
• Demonstrated ability to evaluate and summarize complex information into simple concepts for broad communication to diverse audiences and stakeholders.  

Skills:  

• Excellent oral communication skills in English and Tetum are required. Indonesian and/or Portuguese skills are an asset. 
• Excellent writing skills in English and Tetum, with the ability to clarify and convey complex ideas
• Strong strategic, analytical and problem-solving skills
• Effective people and culture skills, with an empowering and supportive leadership style
• Ability to build partnerships across sectors and stakeholders
• Sound operational and organizational management skills
• High emotional intelligence and impartial judgement in sensitive situations 
• Nonpartisan, with strong political awareness to navigate complex stakeholder environments 
• Strong commitment to gender equality and social inclusion, both programmatically and within the workplace 
• Demonstrates initiative, integrity, and commitment to quality and continuous improvement 

 

Who are We Looking For?  

The ideal candidate is a strategic and collaborative leader who is comfortable navigating complexity and change. You are passionate about leading people and programs in a collaborative, innovative, and inclusive way that advances the impact of the Foundation’s work. You are adept at harnessing the talents and ideas of teams and Foundation partners and excel at fostering a culture of mutual respect and learning. You take a mentorship approach to continually grow the capabilities of TAF staff. The successful candidate is a strategic thinker, an excellent manager, and a clear communicator who establishes shared goals and ensures accountability and maintains a “no task too small” approach to work. You have a strong ability to build relationships and networks with government, academia, civil society, and the private sector. You are adept at analysing and solving problems, managing multiple responsibilities, prioritizing issues, and maintaining relationships while addressing competing demands.  

 

Why Work at The Asia Foundation?  

You will have the opportunity to work with a team of leading professionals who contribute to the development, stability, and growth of Timor-Leste and the region. You will help promote effective partnerships between government and citizens, strengthen the role of women and people with disabilities, and advance learning and awareness about the country. In Timor-Leste, other Asian countries, and with headquarters, you will work with and learn from dedicated and accomplished colleagues, program partners, and local leaders.  

 

Work Authorization 

Employment or assignment is contingent upon the candidate’s ability to obtain and maintain any required work authorization, visa, residency, or other approvals necessary to work in Timor-Leste.  

This recruitment is open to qualified Timorese national candidates and international candidates. Timorese nationals and candidates with deep knowledge of Timor-Leste are strongly encouraged to apply. The successful candidate may be appointed under a local national employment arrangement or an international assignment arrangement, depending on eligibility, work authorization, organizational need, applicable law, and organizational policy. Timorese nationals and other candidates who are legally eligible for local employment in Timor-Leste will be appointed under local national employment terms and compensation arrangements. 

 

Application instructions

Please submit an application including:  

• A cover letter addressing how you meet the criteria and responsibilities of the job 
• A CV with three contactable references 

Application Deadline: August 15, 2026 

 

Equal Opportunity, Safeguarding, and Standards of Conduct 
The Asia Foundation is an equal opportunity employer.  

Applicants who require a reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process may contact us at 1-415-982-4640. 

All employees are expected to uphold the Foundation’s safeguarding, child protection, anti-harassment, anti-discrimination, and code of conduct policies. Employment is subject to satisfactory reference checks and, where permitted by law, appropriate background checks.