Vaga Servisu - Country Manager (Timor-Leste) - Engineers Without Borders Australia (EWB)

 

Position Details

 

Job Title:	Country Manager (Timor-Leste)
Conditions:	1 FTE, Permanent, Salary Band 3B
Decision-making	3B Standard first-line managers of a unit within a function or cross functional Project Managers. Accountable for development and delivery of program area. Responsible for one or more direct reports and typically a budget of $250,000 USD plus.
Location:	Rua Meda, Pantai Kelapa, Dili, Timor-Leste
Work status requirement:	This position is open to Timorese nationals only.
Closing date	17th August 2025

 

Context

About EWB

Engineers Without Borders Australia (EWB) is a for-purpose organisation with our Head Office and staff team located in Melbourne, and other offices in Vanuatu, Timor-Leste and Cambodia and projects in other countries.  We also have volunteer chapters in Victoria, Western Australia, NSW, Queensland, South Australia and ACT.

 

Established in Australia in 2003, EWB works with First Nations communities in Australia and with communities in the Asia-Pacific region.  We have three major focus areas:

 

1. Developing technology to accelerate inclusive, equitable, and sustainable development in the Asia-Pacific region;
2. Redefining engineering as a profession providing stewardship and leadership for a more equitable and sustainable world, and;
3. Inspiring and mobilising a global community who believe in a world where technology benefits all.

 

At EWB, we strongly believe that every engineer can be a change agent for a socially just and sustainable world. This belief drives EWB to lead a movement of like-minded individuals and companies working together to ensure technology is developed to make the world a better place for all.

 

 

EWB’s Timor-Leste program

Our program in Timor-Leste is delivered by a small team of in-country staff, supported by a number of national and international volunteers and interns. Our current projects are predominantly in the WASH sector, with a major focus on rural water supply. Other sectors in which we work include renewable energies, agricultural livelihoods in the coffee sector and gender equity projects supporting Timorese women engineers to build their skills and experience.

 

In Timor-Leste we partner with local and international NGOs and social enterprises, as well as with the Government of Timor-Leste.

 

Role summary and key responsibilities

Purpose: 

To ensure a cohesive and well managed team in Timor-Leste have clear vision and guidance to achieve resource-effective outcomes through an expanding program of engineering projects.

 

Summary

The Country Manager (CM) will lead a small team of local staff and volunteers, providing program vision aligned with EWB’s 2030 Strategy and Engineering Program Strategic Plan. The CM will be responsible for consulting with the Timor-Leste and head office (Melbourne) teams, as well as partners and other stakeholders to strategically plan and deliver an effective portfolio of projects, providing positive outcomes for the people of Timor-Leste. The CM will proactively engage in business development, strengthening relationships and building new relationships with donors, funding agencies and potential partners, aiming to sustainably fulfil the resourcing needs of an expanding program. The CM will oversee the operation of the Timor-Leste office, including accountability for budget management, and will coordinate closely also with operations and finance teams at head office.

 

Key responsibilities:

1. Lead, manage and further strengthen the capacity of the EWB in-country team to maintain a thriving team culture and deliver high quality community impact projects.  Managing staff, monitoring performance and encouraging leadership opportunities for all while continuing to embed an inclusive, collaborative and productive culture.
2. Strategically plan and expand EWB’s Timor-Leste Program through identification and assessment of new opportunities to grow the program’s existing portfolio of projects to maximise the potential for positive impact in a resource-effective manner.
3. Grow and maintain mutually beneficial strategic and operational relationships with potential donors to identify business development opportunities and develop successful proposals for growth of EWB’s program in Timor-Leste.
4. Manage streamlined and efficient in-country operational processes, including preparation and management of program budget, in line with EWB Australia systems, policies, and procedures. These tasks will be supported by the in-country and Australia based teams.
5. Guide and support technical project delivery working alongside a small team of staff and volunteers to support coordination of technical inputs from various specialists internally and externally.

Selection Criteria

You will have:

• Qualification in business administration, management, international development, engineering, project management or other relevant professional experience.

 

And, you will have demonstrated success in and/or proven knowledge in:

• At least 5 years’ program and team management experience. Although technical engineering experience is not a requirement, demonstrated understanding of related fields (e.g. public health, water, sanitation, energy, product development, project management, monitoring evaluation and learning) would be a strong asset.
• Proactively seeking new funding opportunities, developing program/project designs, writing proposals, and being awarded funds for new project or program initiatives.
• Strategically planning and managing programs for social change with deep understanding of contemporary approaches and trends in international development.
• Building professional relationships and stakeholder management across engineering / technical and related sectors, government, private sector and the community, and the ability to manage expectations.
• Managing and refining contextually relevant operational systems and processes (e.g. HR and financial management systems), in line with organisational policies and donor compliance requirements.
• Highly proficient in English language (written and verbal), fluent in Tetun language. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to articulate vision, ideas and concepts clearly and concisely to a range of stakeholders.

This role will require you to:

• Have excellent interpersonal skills with a creative, solutions focused approach;
• Be confident working in a highly collaborative and fast-paced environment;
• Contribute learning, ideas, feedback, and knowledge across the EWB team and a network of partners;
• Proactively engage with a wide range of stakeholders and appropriately identify and respond to opportunities and challenges presented;
• Find inspiration in the potential of the EWB’s vision, strategy, values and our programs, and;
• Consistently seek opportunities to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of EWB’s processes.

Conditions

Travel

Some domestic and overseas travel will be required.

 

Flexible working arrangements

You will have access to flexible working arrangements. We encourage a culture of flexibility and enable conversation between yourself and your manager about maintaining work-life balance.

 

Leave

You will have access to 15 days of paid annual leave (pro-rated for part-time employees). You are also entitled to carer’s leave, professional development leave, 3 months paid parental leave for all new parents, and cultural leave. We also provide gifted leave during the New Year’s break when the office closes.

 

Learning and Development

Our approach to learning and development will enable you to have the information, skills, and knowledge needed to do your job and to grow in your position. We build the capacity of our people and support you with on-the job experience, coaching and in-house training.

 

How do I apply?

Please provide CV and cover letter addressing selection criteria to engineering@ewb.org.au

If you have any questions about the position, please email engineering@ewb.org.au

 

Engineers Without Borders Australia:

• Encourages applications from suitably qualified female candidates.
• Celebrates diversity and supports an inclusive work place. Please contact us to discuss any personal assistance required to complete this application.
• Can only support the applications of Timorese nationals.

EWB adheres to statutory laws in Australia and foreign countries regarding child exploitation, child pornography and the abuse of children. We are committed to the protection of children from all forms of harm. You will be required to sign a Child Protection Code of Conduct and provide a police check prior to commencement.

EWB Australia upholds the right of all people to live a life free from sexual violence, exploitation, and harassment regardless of their gender, age, sexual orientation, disability, religion, or nationality. EWB has zero-tolerance for sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment (SEAH) of any kind. We recognise that some individuals within communities may be more vulnerable to SEAH, including; children and vulnerable adults. We are committed to creating a safe and supportive environment that safeguards all the people we work with, and the communities we work for.