Skills Adviser Language, Literacy, Numeracy & English Proficiency

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

The Skills Adviser – Language, Literacy, Numeracy and English Proficiency will provide technical assistance, training, and mentoring to strengthen the delivery of foundational skills across partner institutions and skills development activities. The role will support the integration of English language, literacy and numeracy, digital literacy, and support the development and implementation of employability skills initiatives into vocational training programs to improve workforce readiness and employment outcomes.

Drawing on their prior experience in the technical and vocational training sector, the skills adviser will provide technical input and facilitate skills training activities in line with the Pacific Australia Skills Timor-Leste country strategy. The expert adviser will support initiatives that strengthen the Timor-Leste national skills capacity development approach to meet labour market demands and build the national capability of TVET trainers within the sector.

The Skills Adviser reports to the Skills Strengthening Manager to develop and implement activities, including training, coaching and mentoring of partner trainers, to support improvements in curriculum, learning materials and resources, and ensuring that training and delivery meet the requirements of the national regulator and align with the national TVET development plan.

Roles and Responsibilities

Under the direction and guidance of the Skills Strengthening Manager – Timor-Leste, assist with mentoring, coaching, and supporting partner institution staff in developing and delivering English Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) and Foundation Skills training that complies with national regulator standards.

English Language and Foundation Skills Integration

• Lead and manage effective teaching and learning within classroom, workplace, simulated and online learning environments utilising flexible, blended and inclusive techniques.

• Develop contextualised English language competency frameworks aligned with priority occupational pathways.

• Support integration of technical English into competency standards and training packages.

• Develop workplace-relevant learning materials and assessment tools.

• Support the contextualisation of English-language training for priority sectors.

• Support the strengthening and integration of cross-cutting thematic topics and ensure LLN and English development measures are inclusive of marginalised groups, persons with disabilities, and support climate and environmental resilience approaches.

• Ensure learning materials are culturally appropriate and accessible.

Training of Trainers

• Design and deliver Training of Trainers (ToT) programs for trainers and English instructors.

• Strengthen trainer capability in learner-centred and competency-based teaching methodologies.

• Conduct training needs analysis for TVET trainers and existing municipality English training support personnel.

• Provide technical support and coaching to municipality-based English language trainers and TVET trainers to strengthen their teaching and learning approaches.

• Mentor trainers to integrate foundation skills into technical programs.

English Training Methodology

• Introduce communicative and competency-based English language teaching methodologies

• Undertake LLN skills development strengthening activity demonstrating an awareness of and sensitivity to cross-cultural settings.

• Develop lesson plans, teaching resources and assessment approaches that incorporate trade-specific English-terminology competencies, standards, and micro-credentials to meet market needs and industry expectations.

Digital Literacy and Employability Skills

• Support the delivery of digital literacy, basic financial literacy, communication and workplace readiness.

• Promote problem-solving, teamwork, critical thinking, practice-based training approaches, and industry-led learning.

• Integrate entrepreneurship and business awareness into foundation skills programs.

Coordination and Collaboration

• Manage and coordinate experts and contractors to successfully deliver English Language Teaching Methodology training, including overseeing the monitoring, evaluation, and learning processes and approaches.

• Provide advice and support to strengthen partnerships with political partners, implementing training centres, local industry and other stakeholders as and when required.

• Provide information as required to support reporting, strategic communications, and planning, monitoring, evaluation and learning requirements.

• Actively participate in staff meetings, vocational networks, professional practice meetings and other activities relevant to the role.

• Other tasks as required to support the smooth establishment and implementation of Pacific Australia Skills, Timor-Leste strategic activities.

Selection Criteria

Essential Experience and Knowledge

• Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (TAE40116/TAE40122) or relevant higher-level teaching qualification in TEFL, TESOL, Applied Linguistics or a related field.

• Minimum 5 years' experience in adult learning, English language or LLN delivery, developing competency-based learning resources, and delivering Training of Trainer programs.

• Experience working in multicultural environments and in complex international development projects in Timor-Leste, the Pacific or Southeast Asia.

• Strong understanding of employability and workplace communication skills and demonstrated success delivering workplace foundation skills in a development context.

• Current knowledge of TVET training and experience using a wide range of flexible and effective learning methodologies and the ability to implement these in a cultural and inclusive manner.

• Experience working in remote locations and a willingness to travel throughout Timor-Leste to support program implementation, including staying in municipal locations.

• Demonstrated skills in mentoring and/or coaching others to facilitate capability development and support change in a culturally sensitive manner.

• Proven ability to work collaboratively and ethically with local skills development partners, government and stakeholders on quality skills improvement initiatives.

• 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

• Previous vocational qualification development experience, including DACUM approaches and competency-based assessment methodologies.

• Knowledge of labour mobility and employment pathways.

• Familiarity with competency-based training systems.

• Portuguese or Tetum language skills would be advantageous.

• 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/2mt754u9

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.