Skills Adviser Building, Construction & Workforce Development

Program Background

Pacific Australia Skills is a significant Australian investment which stands to make a major contribution to supporting social and economic growth in the region through strengthening the skills and training sector across Timor-Leste and the Pacific. Pacific Australia Skills builds on the achievements of prior Australian Government support for skills and training in Timor-Leste.

About DT Global Asia Pacific

At DT Global Asia Pacific, we aim to positively impact people’s lives through delivery excellence. As a leading implementing partner across Asia and the Pacific, we co-create locally led solutions in partnership with governments, communities, and stakeholders. We bring together talented teams and deep regional expertise to deliver initiatives that promote inclusive economic growth, essential services, and resilient, secure communities. With over 1,500 staff, experts in 22+ countries and more than 60 years of development experience, we tackle complex community, national and transnational challenges — from governance and justice systems to climate resilience, infrastructure and social equity — with innovative thinking and a commitment to long-term impact.

For more information, please see www.dt-global.com

The Role
In consultation with the Skills Strengthening Manager, the Skills Adviser – Building Construction will provide technical advice and capacity development support to Pacific Australia Skills Timor-Leste and partner institutions to strengthen the quality, relevance and industry responsiveness of building construction training across Timor-Leste. The adviser will support the review, development and improvement of competency-based qualifications, training courses, learning resources and assessment materials, aligning them with labour market requirements, national qualifications and industry practice.

Working closely with government agencies, training providers, employers and industry, the adviser will promote practical, workplace-based learning, strengthen industry partnerships and support quality skills development initiatives. This work will improve employability outcomes and workforce capability in Timor-Leste’s building and construction sector.

Roles and Responsibilities

Technical Advice and Training Systems Strengthening

• Facilitate locally led skills development and system-strengthening activities that support national and partner priorities and align with program outcomes.

• Support partner institutions and relevant government agencies to review and improve competency-based building construction training programs, course materials and learning resources, so they reflect labour market requirements and current industry practice.

• Facilitate a gap analysis, review and development of all national vocational qualifications and training materials for the construction industry, to ensure alignment with the ASEAN Qualifications Reference Framework (AQRF) and relevant ASEAN training regulations.

• Promote quality improvement approaches consistent with national accreditation and quality assurance requirements.

• Support the review, development and validation of occupational competency standards, qualifications and training packages relevant to the building construction sector.

• Provide information to support program reporting, strategic communications, planning, and monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL).

• Provide advice to strengthen practical and competency-based training delivery.

  Skills Development Activities

• Lead effective teaching and learning across classroom, workplace, simulated and online learning environments, using flexible, blended and inclusive techniques.

• Support the design and delivery of accredited and non-accredited building construction skills programs.

• Provide on-site technical mentoring and practical demonstrations where required.

• Promote safe work practices, occupational health and safety requirements, and environmentally sustainable, climate-resilient construction approaches.

• Deliver skills development initiatives that respond to emerging residential and commercial building practices, including foundational skills such as interpreting plans and drawings, and construction materials and methods.

Training of Trainers and Capacity Development

• Coach and mentor trainers and assessors in competency-based training and assessment practices and support their continuous professional development.

• Strengthen TVET trainers’ trade-specific practical skills so they can deliver practice-based, learner-centred training.

• Deliver technical workshops for TVET trainers and partner training institutions and centres.

Industry Engagement and Partnerships

• Establish and maintain productive relationships with contractors, developers, construction companies, public infrastructure stakeholders, local communities and other local stakeholders.

• Facilitate industry advisory processes and consultations so that training programs reflect current workforce needs.

• Support graduate workplace exposure opportunities and structured workplace learning arrangements.

Workplace-Based Learning and Assessment

• Develop, pilot, implement and monitor workplace assessment strategies and practical competency assessment tools.

• Support industry supervisors and trainers in conducting workplace-based assessment.

• Strengthen linkages between institutional training and real workplace environments to improve employment outcomes.

Stakeholder Coordination

• Support coordination and communication across partner institutions and programs, including government ministries, national regulatory authorities, development partners, training providers and the private sector.

• Represent Pacific Australia Skills in technical meetings, working groups and sector consultations as required.

• Build trust-based relationships with partners and stakeholders.

Selection Criteria

Essential Experience and Knowledge

• Relevant qualifications as a trainer in building trades, construction management, etc.

• TVET Training Diploma, Certificate IV or equivalent.

• Minimum seven years' experience in the building and construction sector.

• Demonstrated experience in competency-based training and assessment, mentoring TVET trainers and, demonstrated experience delivering competency-based training and assessment, mentoring TVET trainers and supporting institutional capacity development.

• Experience implementing workplace-based learning, on-the-job training and competency assessment approaches.

• Experience reviewing, developing and improving training packages, curricula, learning resources and assessment materials.

• Experience establishing productive industry partnerships and working in complex stakeholder environments involving government, training institutions and private sector partners.

• Strong understanding of competency-based training and national qualifications systems.

• Willingness to travel throughout Timor-Leste to support program implementation, including staying overnight in municipal locations.

• Understanding of and commitment to Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI), Child Protection, Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH), prevention of human trafficking, environmental protection, anti-corruption and other DFAT safeguarding policies.

Desirable

• Degree or diploma qualification in Civil Engineering or a related discipline.

• DT Global strongly encourages applications from individuals with diverse backgrounds including First Nations, diverse SOGIESC and people with disabilities.

• People with lived experience of the countries in which Pacific Australia Skills operates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Click on the link or copy paste it to access the full Terms of Reference for this position: https://tinyurl.com/d5bjdfzy

HOW TO APPLY
Click the 'Apply Now' button.

Please submit
1) Your CV
2) A cover letter addressing the selection criteria

APPLICATIONS CLOSE 11.59pm Timor-Leste time, Sunday 25 October 2026.

Should this role be of interest, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible. All applications will be reviewed on a 'rolling basis'. Kindly note only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

People with lived experience of the regions in which DT Global operates are strongly encouraged to apply. DT Global welcomes applications from individuals with diverse backgrounds including First Nations peoples, diverse Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression, and Sex Characteristics (SOGIESC), and people with disabilities.

We take a zero-tolerance approach to sexual exploitation, abuse and harm of adults and children; fraud, corruption and bribery; modern slavery; and any form of exploitation across our operations, partnerships, and supply chains. We uphold the highest standards of integrity and expect the same of those we work with.

Engagement with DT Global is subject to formal background screening, criminal record checks, employment verification, and periodic compliance checks. All DT Global staff receive safety, compliance, safeguarding and integrity training, and we expect our personnel and partners to always act in alignment with our company values.