Palladium

Business Adviser, Market Development Facility (MDF)-Timor-Leste

• Multiple positions available to contribute to the economic growth of Timor-Leste
• Excellent opportunity to analyse economic opportunities and develop innovative solutions with businesses and other organisations
• Based in Dili, Timor Leste, 1-Year fixed term contract (with possibility of ongoing extension)

About the Market Development Facility

Australia’s Market Development Facility (MDF) helps countries in the Indo-Pacific region to grow through improved productivity, economic diversification, competitiveness and trade.

MDF helps government and business partners to identify markets that have high potential to grow, be profitable, and deliver social and environmental value.

Our aim is to do good by supporting good business. MDF supports business investment and innovation that reduces poverty, economically empowers women and combats climate change. MDF currently operates in Fiji, Timor-Leste, Samoa, Vanuatu, Tonga and Sri Lanka.

MDF is funded by the Australian Government. It is implemented by Palladium, in partnership with Swisscontact.

This Opportunity

The Business Adviser analyses economic opportunities and constraints to growth and develops innovative solutions with businesses and other organisations. The economic sectors in which you will work may change over time but are likely to include agriculture, tourism and/or renewable energy.

This role offers diversity of tasks, particularly in analysing markets and economy sectors, and identifying innovative solutions to unlock markets, to help individuals, suppliers, businesses, and the Timor-Leste economy. This is a unique opportunity to be part of a dynamic and dedicated team working to build a stronger, more resilient, and equitable Timor-Leste.

Business Adviser will be responsible for:

• Meeting with a wide variety of public and private stakeholders, especially private businesses, traders, farmers, and government officials to understand how the economy, sectors, markets and businesses function in Timor-Leste. This will involve regular travel and fieldwork across the country.
• With the support of colleagues and management, conducting socioeconomic analysis, including assessing the business environment, poverty, gender, industry competitiveness, as well as the roles of businesses, traders and farmers. This will include identifying constraints to, and opportunities to promote economic growth.
• Assisting with the creation of strategies that will allow MDF to address the constraints identified and achieve MDF’s pro-poor economic development objectives.
• Designing innovative activities in line with MDF’s strategies. This will include working with a wide mix of organisations, devising new business models, negotiating with prospective partners, and drafting concept notes and contracts.
• Developing strong working relationships with program partners and other external stakeholders, from government, the private sector and non-government organisations.

For full Terms of Reference (TOR), click here.

We are seeking an individual who will bring:

• Positive attitude, an inquisitive mind and capacity and willingness to engage effectively with a diverse range of stakeholders.
• Excellent critical analysis, synthesis, and English language skills (written and verbal), combined with the ability to translate complex findings and ideas into simple, clear and actionable content.
• Willingness to travel extensively within country.
• Creative skills and conceptual problem-solving abilities contributing to new and innovative ideas.
• Familiarity with issues affecting the local economy, business environment and international trends in business (highly desirable).
• The ability to work well either individually or as part of a team to meet tight deadlines.

Desirable skills and experience

• Excellent written and spoken Tetun language skills.
• A post graduate degree or qualification in a related discipline.
• Work experience relevant to tourism or agriculture sector/s.

The position is perfect for someone with preferably a Tourism or Agricultural background, looking to apply their investigative skills and gain hands-on experience in economic development in a thriving and supportive workplace.

Join us and be a part of a team that’s making a real difference in economic development across MDF’s diverse and dynamic portfolio!

How to Apply

Please click “Apply now” button below & submit your application online, including your CV and brief cover letter, outlining your suitability in line with the requirements of the position.

Closing date: Midnight 3rd December, 2025 (Dili time)

This position is open to residents with authority to live and work in Timor-Leste. Rates of pay are based on local labour standards.

About Palladium

Palladium is a global company working to design, develop and deliver positive impact on the lives and livelihoods of people around the globe; broaden access to health, water, power, and infrastructure; build enduring, sustainable, and transformative institutions and market systems to address global challenges; and conserve the natural world. We operate in over 90 countries and have a workforce of 4,000 talented, motivated, and diverse staff of all religions, races, languages, and gender identities.

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion - Palladium is committed to embedding equity, diversity, and inclusion into everything we do. We welcome applications from all sections of society and actively encourage diversity to drive innovation, creativity, success and good practice. We positively welcome and seek to ensure we achieve diversity in our workforce; and that all job applicants and employees receive equal and fair treatment regardless of their background or personal characteristics. These include: (but are not limited to) socio-economic background, age, race, gender identity and expression, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, nationality, veteran, marital or Indigenous status.

Should you require any adjustments or accommodations to be made due to a disability or you are a neurodivergent individual or for any other circumstance, please email our team at accessibility@thepalladiumgroup.com and we will be in touch to discuss.

Safeguarding - We define Safeguarding as “the preventative action taken by Palladium to protect our people, clients and the communities we work with from harm”. We are committed to ensuring that all children and adults who come into contact with Palladium are treated with respect and are free from abuse. All successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced selection process including safeguarding-focused interviews and a rigorous due diligence process.