Team Leader, Education Program, Human Development Initiative (HDI)

Job Description

KEY INFORMATION
Job Title: Team Leader, Education Program, Human Development Initiative (HDI) 
Reports to: DFAT and Cowater Contractor Representatives 
Location: Dili, Timor-Leste (with in-country and regional travel as required) 
Duration: 2026 -2027, with possibility of multi-year extension    


PROJECT SUMMARY
The Australia-Timor-Leste Human Development Initiative (HDI) is a major upcoming investment funded by DFAT, supporting equitable, quality health and education services and advancing disability rights over five years (2026-2031), with potential extension. HDI comprises three sector programs—Health Partnership, Education Partnership, and Disability Rights, underpinned by a shared services platform and a pilot Locally Led Development Hub. The program integrates gender equality, disability inclusion, climate resilience, and locally led development as cross-cutting priorities. 

The Team Leader, Education Program will provide strategic, technical and managerial leadership for the Education Partnership Program (EPP) under the Australia-Timor-Leste Human Development Initiative 


KEY RESPONSIBILITES
Strategic Leadership and Governance

• Provide overall strategic direction and leadership for the Education Partnership Program, ensuring alignment with MoE priorities, HDI objectives and DFAT policy settings. 
• Maintain a strong, current understanding of the education context in Timor-Leste, including political economy, reform priorities, donor activity and evidence on foundational learning. 
• Lead high-level engagement, advocacy and policy dialogue with MoE, INFORDEPE, municipal leaders, DFAT, Global Partnership for Education (GPE), Joint Action for Education in Timor-Leste (National education stakeholder group) (ACETL) and other partners on inclusive education, safe schools, and climate resilience reforms, positioning the program as a trusted, solutions-focused partner. 
• Champion locally led development by enabling Timorese leadership and decision-making in program design, implementation and adaptation at national and municipal levels by building municipal education office capacity and strengthening civil society engagement in program delivery. 
• Build and sustain strategic partnerships with key government, civil society and development actors, and represent the Education Program in HDI and DFAT governance and coordination mechanisms, including steering committees, program management forums and technical working groups. 
• Chair and actively contribute to governance bodies (Steering Committee, Program Management Team, TWGs), ensuring strategic alignment and accountability. 

Program design, planning and delivery

• Lead the development and regular updating of the Education Partnership Program strategy, annual work plans and budgets, ensuring alignment with the three EOPOs and HDI-wide frameworks. 
• Design and oversee major program components (e.g. instructional leadership, teacher development, inclusive education, community-based monitoring, systems strengthening) so they are evidence-based, context-appropriate and scalable, with clear phasing from inception and piloting through to adaptation and wider roll-out with MoE and municipalities. 
• Drive coherent, cross-program collaboration with HDI’s Health and Disability Rights pillars and relevant DFAT investments (such as PARTISIPA and PROSIVU), and provide strategic leadership to integrate GEDSI, MoE’s “Zero tolerance to violence” policies and embed GBV prevention, PSEAH compliance, and climate resilience, inclusive schooling across all strategies, workplans and locations. 
• In partnership with DFAT and the HDI operations/communications team, lead strategic communications and public diplomacy, using evidence and stories of change to demonstrate program achievements and the Australia-Timor-Leste education partnership. 

Management, operations and compliance

• Work with the central program operations team to ensure efficient finance, HR, procurement, grants and logistics support, and full compliance with DFAT, managing contractor and Government of Timor-Leste requirements. 
• Lead program budgeting, forecasting and value‑for‑money analysis, and oversee transparent procurement and grants processes with strong due diligence, contract management and performance oversight. 
• Ensure safeguarding, including child protection, PSEAH and do‑no‑harm principles, is operationalised across all activities, and integrate climate and disaster resilience considerations into basic education programming in collaboration with specialist advisers. 

Results, MEL and adaptive management

• Provide strategic leadership for the program’s Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) system in line with the EPP design and DFAT standards, ensuring credible baselines, regular learning and use of evidence for decision-making. 
• Ensure MEL data, including gender- and disability-disaggregated indicators, informs course corrections, scaling decisions, policy dialogue and communication with stakeholders. 
• Oversee preparation of high-quality six‑monthly and annual progress reports, annual reflection and learning events, and contributions to mid-term and end-of-program evaluations. 
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement, knowledge sharing and joint problem solving within the team and with partners. 
• Other duties as requested.  

JOB REQUIRMENTS
Education

• Postgraduate degree in education, international development, public policy, social sciences, or a closely related field, or equivalent senior professional experience preferred. 

Relevant Skills and Experience

• Extensive senior leadership experience managing large, complex education programs, preferably DFAT‑funded and/or in Timor-Leste, the Pacific or Southeast Asia, with a strong track record in program design, strategic planning, budgeting, work planning and adaptive management. 
• Proven expertise in education system strengthening (e.g. instructional leadership, teacher professional development, EMIS and assessment, inclusive education, school and community governance) and in leading evidence‑informed programming that improves foundational literacy and numeracy and tackles barriers for girls, boys and children with disabilities. 
• Demonstrated success in leading and coaching multidisciplinary national and international teams, using robust MEL systems to inform strategic and operational decisions, and building high‑performing, locally led teams. 
• Strong experience mainstreaming gender equality, disability and social inclusion across programs, including leading targeted GEDSI initiatives with measurable results, and operationalising child protection, PSEAH, do‑no‑harm and safeguarding frameworks in school and community settings. 
• Exposure to, or strong motivation to engage with, integrating climate and disaster resilience into basic education programming, working effectively with technical specialists in this area. 
• Proven ability to build and sustain effective, politically astute relationships with senior government, donors, civil society and community stakeholders in cross‑cultural and sensitive contexts. 
• Excellent written and verbal communication, facilitation and negotiation skills in English, and a demonstrated commitment to learning local language. 
• Clear commitment to ethical and inclusive leadership, transparency, accountability and anti‑corruption, with resilience, sound judgement and flexibility needed to operate in dynamic, resource‑constrained environments. 

APPLICATION PROCESS
Interested candidates are invited to apply by 20 December 2025. 
To apply, please submit the following in a single email to cv@cowater.com:   

• Cover letter outlining your interest in the role and the Platform  
• Updated CV  
• Contact details for at least two (2) references  

For your application to be considered, please rename your documents as followed: Candidate Last Name, First Name, date, Title of the Position.

Equal Opportunity:
Women and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.  

Cowater International is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to hiring based on merit and qualifications. Cowater does not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, religion, sex, gender identity, disability, age, or any other basis protected by law.   

About the Organization

ABOUT US

Founded in 1985, Cowater International is a leading global development consulting company. Headquartered in Ottawa and with corporate hubs in Auckland, Berlin, Brussels, Helsinki, London, Madrid, Manila, Nairobi, Singapore and Stockholm, Cowater International has successfully delivered a portfolio of over 2,500 projects and assignments in more than 95 countries. We work with governments, private sector actors and communities implementing projects that support socio-economic development, institutional strengthening, environmental improvements and advance equal opportunities for all. We are a diverse and experienced team committed to building a better tomorrow for the people we serve. Our adaptive approach to management has led to our yearly award-winning work and recognition as one of Canada's Best Managed Companies since 2017. 

We thank you for your interest in building a better tomorrow.