Assessment Coordinator and Lead Writer (Timor-Leste)

Job Title

Assessment Coordinator and Lead Writer (Timor-Leste)

Work Status

Short-Term Consultancy

Location

Dili, Timor-Leste

Travel Requirements

Willingness to travel in country for in-person meetings (dependent on COVID-19 restrictions)

Expected Start Date

For immediate hire (expected start date in September 2021)

Closing Date

Applications accepted on a rolling basis through August 27, 2021

The American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) seeks a short-term consultant to support the Legal Reform Fund’s (LRF) work in Timor-Leste. LRF is a global three-year project supported by the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Global Women’s Issues (S/GWI) to address barriers to women’s full and effective participation in economic life in five key areas. These include access to institutions; removing employment barriers; property acquisition, ownership, and management; building credit; and ability to travel.

This short-term consultant position will work closely with a U.S-based team composed of ABA ROLI staff and pro bono attorneys to conduct a comprehensive assessment and produce a report on women’s economic status in Timor-Leste covering both opportunities and barriers. The assessment will involve desk research, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions.

About ABA ROLI:

For 30 years, the American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) has worked in more than 100 countries to strengthen legal institutions, support legal professionals, foster respect for human rights, and advance public understanding of the law and citizen rights. In collaboration with government agencies, the judiciary, lawyers, bar associations, legislatures, and civil society, we design programs that are responsive to local needs and that prioritize sustainable solutions to pressing rule of law challenges.

For more information on ABA ROLI, please visit: https://www.americanbar.org/advocacy/rule_of_law/about.html

Key Responsibilities

• Lead writer for a report assessing women’s economic status in Timor-Leste based on five areas: access to institutions; removing employment barriers; property acquisition, ownership, and management; building credit; and ability to travel.
• Work closely with an assessment team composed of ABA ROLI staff located in Washington D.C., pro bono attorneys, and a local coordinator.
• Participate in weekly team meetings.
• Support the development of a research methodology tailored to Timor-Leste for the assessment.
• Alongside the local coordinator, map key stakeholders including but not limited to local civil society organizations, issue-area experts, politicians and policymakers.
• Build relationships with key informants and stakeholders.
• Coordinate and lead key informant interviews and focus group sessions on the ground in Timor-Leste.
• Incorporate edits and changes from the assessment team into a final draft of the assessment.

Required Qualifications

• University degree in a relevant subject such as law, gender studies, development studies, sociology, public policy, etc.
• Familiarity with the local context and the regulatory environment in Timor-Leste.
• Effective project management skills (e.g., ability to support multiple priorities, adapt to evolving project/work needs, and deliver timely results).
• Strong communication skills, particularly in working with external partners.
• Proven writing ability and experience with authoring reports or assessments.
• Experience in conducting interviews, experience leading focus groups is a plus.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, and Excel), Google Workspace (Google Drive, Documents, and Spreadsheets), and remote communication tools.
• Professional level written and verbal English.
• Must have authorization to work in Timor-Leste.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience and expressed interest in working on issues related to women’s economic empowerment.
• Experience working with local and global nonprofit organizations is a plus.
• Proficiency in Portuguese and Tetum.

Please note that this position is being advertised in tandem with a Local Coordinator position. Individuals/organizations are welcome to submit proposals for one or both positions. To apply, please submit a resume/CV, as well as a brief (maximum one-page) statement of interest that includes:

• Availability and level of effort anticipated
• Compensation requirements
• Description of approach and relevant experience

Applications should be submitted to: with position title(s) in the subject line. Applications will be evaluated on a rolling basis through August 27, 2021. This email address should also be used for any questions relevant to this posting.

The American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative is committed to supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion in all its programming. Individuals identifying as from marginalized, vulnerable, or underrepresented populations/communities are especially encouraged to apply.