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.

2. PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

The Head of Programs, you manage and coordinate 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

3 . 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

4. 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

Experience in leading proposal, business development and budget development

local civil society organizations

Track record in strong program management

Ability to development and analyses budgets and financial reports

Strong understanding and commitment to safeguarding, gender equality and inclusion

5. 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 (ie DFAT, MFAT, UN EU, and others)

Post graduate qualifications or equivalent experience

6. SKILLS

Strong leader, supporting others in achieving their & 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

Please submit your CV and application letter not later than 20 November 2026

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

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. We strive to keep children safe through child safe practices, and rigorously ensure we prevent, oppose, and combat all exploitation and abuse of children and vulnerable people. As part of this commitment, all people working with us will undergo relevant background checks before joining ChildFund Australia.

At ChildFund Australia, all staff must remain alert and responsive to any child safeguarding or sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment (SEAH) risks. Staff will acquire the knowledge and skills needed to understand our Child Safeguarding and PSEAH policies & procedures, promote strong safeguarding practices, and conduct themselves consistent with these policies.

In line with our values, diversity of people and ideas is critical to our work and our success at ChildFund Australia. We strive for a team culture that is welcoming, inclusive, and supportive.

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