Team Leader, Disability Rights (TLAus4DisabilityRights) Full Time NEW

Job Summary

The Asia Foundation is recruiting a Team Leader, Disability Rights (TLAus4DisabilityRights) for a full-time, one-year fixed-term assignment based in Dili. The Australian Government-funded programme supports locally led and rights-based change in partnership with Organisations of Persons with Disabilities, the Government of Timor-Leste and other stakeholders.

Reporting to The Asia Foundation’s country representative in Timor-Leste, the team leader is accountable for overall programme management, performance, resources and risk. The role supports local leadership in governance, priority setting and accountability, represents the programme, mobilises specialist expertise and leads an inclusive, values-driven team.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and technical leadership for the disability-rights programme.
• Model rights-based leadership and ways of working that strengthen local actors and systems.
• Lead governance, risk management and safeguarding.
• Manage, mentor and support a multidisciplinary programme team.
• Build partnerships and represent the programme with government, civil society, donors and development partners.
• Oversee programme quality, performance, resources and delivery.
• Use policy dialogue, facilitation, coordination and institutional strengthening to support locally led, system-level change.

Essential Qualifications and Experience

• A relevant postgraduate degree in disability, international development, human rights, public policy, social sciences, organisational development, management or a related field.
• Senior leadership and programme-management experience in complex disability rights, inclusive development, civil-society strengthening, governance or human-development programmes.
• Ability to lead and mentor multidisciplinary teams, balance competing priorities and deliver results in complex environments.
• Technical depth across OPD movement strengthening, disability-specific services, rehabilitation, assistive technology, implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and Disability National Action Plan, and disability-responsive government systems.
• Experience building equitable, locally led partnerships and strengthening local leadership rather than replacing it.
• Experience delivering organisational, policy or system-level change through partnerships with government and civil society.
• Strong judgement and trusted relationships with senior officials, civil-society leaders, development partners and donors.
• Experience advancing gender equality, disability and social inclusion with diverse communities and underserved groups.
• Commitment to safeguarding and the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.
• Strategic and analytical ability, adaptive management experience, and leadership of outcome-focused monitoring, evaluation and learning.
• Strong knowledge of Timor-Leste’s disability-rights, government and civil-society context.
• Professional written and spoken English and Tetun.

Desirable Experience

• Lived experience of disability is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of Australian-funded or other donor-funded programmes is desirable.

Appointment and Deadline

This is an internationally recruited assignment expected to last 12 months, with possible extension. The selected candidate must obtain and retain the required work, visa, residency and other authorisations. Employment is subject to proportionate reference and background checks and the Foundation’s safeguarding and conduct standards.

Applications require a CV, cover letter and three professional references. Applications are assessed on a rolling basis and close at 5 pm Timor-Leste time on 11 November 2026.

How to apply

Apply online at: https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/4483840246/
Original listing source: LinkedIn / External recruitment platform.