Job Reference Number :

TLU/SPOAEC/011

Opening Date :

12/02/2025

Job Title :

SPO of the Timor-Leste Unit for the AEC Pillar

Closing Date :

11/03/2025

Job Description :

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was founded in 1967 with the purpose of promoting regional cooperation in Southeast Asia, in the spirit of equality and partnership and thereby contribute towards peace, progress and prosperity in the region. ASEAN comprises ten (10) countries in Southeast Asia, with Timor Leste as its 11^th member with an “Observer” status. It was proclaimed a community through the “Kuala Lumpur Declaration on ASEAN 2025: Forging Ahead Together,” signed by the ASEAN Leaders during the 27th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in 2015. The ASEAN Community Vision 2025 calls for the ASEAN Community in forging ahead together, and to work towards building a community that is politically cohesive, economically integrated and socially responsible.

The ASEAN Secretariat was established in 1976 by the Foreign Ministers of the ASEAN Member States with basic functions of providing greater efficiency in the coordination of ASEAN organs and for more effective implementation of ASEAN projects and activities. It is also envisioned to be the nerve centre of a strong and confident ASEAN Community that is globally respected for acting in full compliance with its Charter and in the best interest of its people.

In alignment with the ASEAN 2025 and Key Aspirations of the three pillars of the ASEAN Community, namely the ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC), the ASEAN Economic Community and the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community, supported by the Department of Community and Corporate Affairs, the ASEAN Secretariat is inviting qualified ASEAN Nationals to apply for the position of Senior Project Officer of the Timor-Leste Unit for the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Pillar. 

This position will be supported by the ASEAN Member States and Timor-Leste through the Timor-Leste Unit Fund.

Remuneration and Benefits:
Successful candidate will be offered a basic salary of USD 3,893 and attractive remuneration package including housing, outpatient medical reimbursement, hospitalization & life insurance, children’s education and gratuity. The successful candidate will be contracted for one (1) year inclusive of six months’ probationary period. Renewal of contract will be subject to availability of the fund and the need of the Timor-Leste Unit.

1. The Senior Project Officer (SPO) for the AEC Pillar will be responsible for coordinating all Timor-Leste related initiatives under the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Pillar, specifically aimed at building Timor-Leste’s capacity and facilitating its full integration into the economic pillar of ASEAN. This role involves close collaboration with ASEAN desk officers within the AEC Department, ASEAN Member States, and other stakeholders including ASEAN Partners, as well as Timor-Leste, to ensure efficient execution of AEC-related capacity-building programs, and in the monitoring and evaluation of the progress made by Timor-Leste in the implementation of the AEC Annex to the Roadmap for Timor-Leste’s Full Membership in ASEAN.Reporting to Director of Political and Security Directorate, the SPO shall be responsible for:

   1. Coordination and Liaison:
   (i). Maintain effective communication and coordination with Timor-Leste representatives and assist Timor-Leste in developing an Implementation Plan to fulfil the criteria and the milestones identified in the Roadmap for Timor-Leste’s Full Membership in ASEAN.
   (ii). Liaise with ASEAN Secretariat Desk Officers within AEC Department to facilitate communication and coordination with their respective Timor-Leste’s counterparts.
   2. Capacity-Building:
   (i).  Assist the AEC Department in developing capacity-building initiatives tailored to enhance Timor-Leste’s readiness to accede to the AEC legal instruments and/or agreements as stipulated in the AEC Annex to the Roadmap for Timor-Leste’s Full Membership in ASEAN.
   (ii).  Be responsible for the management of database for capacity-building provided by ASEAN, AMS and Partners to Timor-Leste, and undertake regular communication with Desk Officers within AEC Department to update the database accordingly.
   3. Progress Monitoring and Reporting:
   (i). Compile and analyse data, prepare progress reports, and present findings to the relevant ASEAN sectoral bodies and stakeholders.
   (ii). Monitor and evaluate the attendance of Timor-Leste in AEC-related meetings and capacity building activities, including those provided bilaterally by ASEAN Member States.
   (iii). Conduct semi-annual reviews of the progress made by Timor-Leste in implementing the AEC Annex to the Roadmap for Timor-Leste’s Full Membership in ASEAN.
   (iv). Develop the AEC Section of the semi-annual progress report and recommendations and ensure timely submission to the ASEAN Coordinating Council Working Group (ACCWG) on Timor-Leste’s ASEAN Membership, after consultation with and approval from the Senior Economic Officials Meeting (SEOM).
   4. Policy and Strategic Planning:
   (i). Support the Desk Officers within AEC Department in development and refinement of strategies by providing insights to the policy papers, briefing notes, talking points, discussion papers, etc. on issues, challenges, and opportunities to enhance Timor-Leste’s economic integration.

   5. Stakeholder Engagement:
   (i). Liaise with ASEAN Secretariat desk officers of the AEC Department to mobilise technical and capacity building support as well as resources from ASEAN Member States and external partners of ASEAN.

   6. Administrative Support:
   (i). Assist in the development and management of project proposal, project budget and workplan for projects related to capacity building support to Timor-Leste within the AEC Department, including Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) projects with Timor-Leste participation, and ensure compliance with ASEAN Secretariat’s policies and procedures.

   7. Post-Accession Support:
   (i). If Timor-Leste’s accession to ASEAN occurs, assist Timor-Leste with the necessary capacity building to fully implement all AEC-related obligations and achieve full integration into the AEC.

1. • Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent degree) in Economics, Political Science, International Relations, or other appropriate specialist disciplines with a minimum of 3 years of relevant work experience. Bachelor’s degree holders in the related disciplines with relevant work experience of a minimum of 5 years may be considered.
   • Demonstrated abilities in problem-solving, planning, and development of policies and procedures.
   • Demonstrated abilities to work in a team and motivate team members.
   • Demonstrated advanced abilities in oral and written communication, whilst possessing sound interpersonal skills, including experience having worked in a cross-cultural environment and international settings.
   • Demonstrated commitments to collaborative work practices.
   • Competencies in IT skills, including an adequate knowledge of Microsoft Office.
   • Proven abilities to function under pressure and adhere to deadlines with excellent time management and organisational skills.
   • Excellent command of the English language, written and spoken