About the Position

Dexis is presently implementing a three-year contract with a one-year option to implement the USAID/Timor-Leste Accountability and Integrity Mechanism (AIM), a project designed to strengthen Timor-Leste's accountability ecosystem and advance the Government of Timor-Leste’s (GOTL) anti-corruption reforms, including the GOTL’s new Anti-Corruption Law and good governance targets set within Timor-Leste’s Strategic Development Plan (2011 - 2030).  The USAID/Timor-Leste AIM project forms part of USAID’s new generation of democracy support in Timor-Leste and aims to bolster key institutions, to include governmental, parliamentary and civil society actors, to improve the ability of Timor-Leste’s democratic system to deliver “an inclusive, prosperous, and healthy Timor-Leste” for its young and growing population.   Accordingly, Dexis will work with civil society, the government, and parliament of Timor-Leste to strengthen the strategic, institutional, communications, and coordination capacity of key accountability institutions, especially the Anti-Corruption Commission, the Office of the Ombudsman for Human Rights and Justice, and the audit chamber. Stronger institutional independence of these oversight agencies and partner civil society organizations coupled with the development of sound legislative and governmental policy will ensure that citizens are empowered and can hold government accountable, thus leading to more inclusive and sustainable economic development.  

To date, the Timor-Leste Parliament has not passed a Freedom of Information Law.  A Freedom of Information Law is an essential element of transparency, it assures Timor-Leste of an informed citizenry, a strong foundation for its young democracy. In essence, such a law will provide a channel for the people to gain access to information regarding how the government operates, how public funds are utilized and how policies are crafted.  While Decree Law No. 43/2016 is in existence, the RTI Rating1 of the Centre for Law and Democracy observes that this decree is weak, the procedures are flawed, with limited requirements to provide assistance, among other observations.  The RTI Rating also notes serious weaknesses such as the lack of an administrative appeal and the absence of sanctions for non-compliance. Further, the decree is approved only by the government and does not have the binding effect of a law passed by Parliament.   

CEPAD has been at the forefront of local efforts over the past years to promote the legislative approval of a Freedom of Information Law for Timor-Leste.  However, for various reasons, including conflicting priorities in Parliament and a very tight legislative calendar, Parliament has not been able to complete the process for the approval of such an important piece of legislation.  Recently, AIM engaged with CEPAD and reached a consensus for AIM to provide technical assistance to revive the process and sustain the effort to advocate for the passage of such a law, particularly to engage a national consultant to coordinate and support the advocacy effort.  The specific parameter for this engagement are provided in this TOR.  

AIM seeks a National Freedom of Information Advocacy Specialist, a senior short-term national consultant, proposed to be deployed for an initial 60 days level of effort (LOE) to be deployed over a period of six months, to commence from October 21, 2024 until April 20, 2025, with practical experience facilitating, managing, contributing or supervising the conduct of a Freedom of Information advocacy, information dissemination and/or awareness-raising campaign or similar advocacy campaigns, and the monitoring of the implementation of such campaigns.   

Responsibilities

The National Freedom of Information Advocacy Specialist will be responsible for coordinating with AIM partner Centre of Studies for Peace and Development (CEPAD), relevant Parliamentary committees, AIM staff, AIM government and CSO stakeholders and partners, and engage with the various sectors of the community such as the academe, civil society and the media to organize support for the passage and approval of a Freedom of Information law in Timor-Leste. The Specialist will also work with CEPAD to assess and evaluate past efforts to advocate for a Freedom of Information Law, recommend a strategy and concrete actions to sustain the effort, and prepare a work plan to guide the activities to be conducted.  

Duties will include:  

• To coordinate with CEPAD and jointly organize activities and relevant efforts to advocate for and promote the legislative passage of a Timor-Leste Freedom of Information Law.  
• Together with the CEPAD team, to engage with relevant stakeholders from GoTL, Parliament, civil society, the academia, media and other relevant sectors to promote awareness, facilitate discussion and promote the passage of a Freedom of Information Law. 
• To organize FGDs, roundtable discussions, seminars, and similar events to promote awareness, facilitate discussion, disseminate relevant information, and promote the passage of the Freedom of Information Law. 
• To gather studies, papers, materials and other relevant information regarding the Freedom of Information Law and organize dissemination efforts for key stakeholders. 
• Formulate recommendations to raise awareness, highlight advantages, and support the legislative passage of the Freedom of Information Law for Timor-Leste. 
• Perform such other duties and functions as may be assigned by the AIM COP or DCOP. 

Qualifications 

• Relevant university education background in public administration, public policy, social sciences, political science, management, law or a related field (at least 10 years of professional or practical experience will be considered in lieu of relevant university educational background)  
• Actual experience in organizing advocacy campaigns, FGDs, conferences, seminars and/or similar activities advocating for a Freedom of Information law or similar advocacies or campaigns.  
• Practical experience in engagement and collaboration with government institutions or CSOs for relevant work, or work that demonstrates knowledge and skills in the areas covered by this TOR. 
• Experience working for projects funded by USAID or other bilateral or multilateral organizations will be an advantage. 
• Initiative and ability to work independently. 
• Meticulous attention to detail. 
• Innovative thinker with positive and results-oriented working style. 
• Ability to work under pressure and collaboratively with counterparts and colleagues. 
• Oral and written command of the English and Tetum languages. 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Data visualization skills. 
• Knowledge of monitoring, evaluation, and learning policies and procedures. 
• Familiarity with anti-corruption or good governance work.  

 

How to apply? 

To apply, kindly submit a Cover Letter with the subject, “National Freedom of Information Advocacy Specialist”, and an updated CV or Resume in English on or before September 23, 2024 to the following email address, [email protected].  Due to the expected volume of applicants, only short-listed candidates will be contacted.  Position will remain open until a suitable candidate has been identified.