Result of Service

The Individual Contractor shall submit a monthly activity report to ITC, summarising activities undertaken, progress against agreed tasks, key results, pending actions and any implementation issues requiring follow-up. Assignment period: 15 October 2026 – 31 January 2027. OUTPUT 1 – Workplan implementation and activity coordination By the end of each reporting month, the Individual Contractor will maintain and update an implementation calendar and action tracker covering activities under the ITC–AEMTL workplan, including agreed timelines, responsibilities, status of implementation and pending follow-up actions. OUTPUT 2 – Coordination between ITC and AEMTL Throughout the assignment, the Individual Contractor will facilitate regular coordination between ITC and AEMTL by maintaining records of coordination meetings, agreed actions, deadlines and follow-up, and by reflecting progress and outstanding issues in the monthly activity report. OUTPUT 3 – AEMTL member database By 31 January 2027, the Individual Contractor will support the updating and maintenance of the AEMTL member database, including available information on member location, business sector, products and/or services, participation in activities and identified business-support needs. OUTPUT 4 – Member outreach and engagement Throughout the assignment, the Individual Contractor will support outreach and communication with AEMTL members, including women entrepreneurs outside Dili, and maintain records of contacts, participation and engagement in ITC-supported activities. OUTPUT 5 – Training and capacity-building activities For each training or capacity-building activity undertaken during the assignment, the Individual Contractor will provide operational and logistical support, including participant mobilisation, registration, attendance records, documentation, participant feedback and follow-up, as applicable. OUTPUT 6 – Market-access and business-linkage follow-up Throughout the assignment, the Individual Contractor will compile and maintain information on market-access and business-linkage opportunities identified through ITC–AEMTL activities, including relevant buyers, partners, trade events and follow-up actions, and report progress in the monthly activity reports. Reporting schedule

First report: 30 October 2026
Second report: 30 November 2026
Third report: 31 December 2026
Final report: 31 January 2027

Work Location

Dili, Timor Leste (home-based)

Expected duration

3.5 months from ASAP

Duties and Responsibilities

Within its Division for Market Development (DMD), the Strategies and Policy for Trade and Investment (SPTI) Section is the International Trade Centre’s (ITC) focal point for improving and creating a conducive business environment for the benefit of exporters in developing and transition economies. The SPTI Section contributes to enhancing exporters’ competitiveness through technical assistance in specific areas relating to trade and investment policy and facilitation. Since October 2023, the ITC is implementing a 3-years project funded by the European Union in Timor-Leste: “Supporting Regional Integration and Trade”. The main objective of the project is to contribute to Timor-Leste’s economic integration and trade in the world and in the Southeast Asia region. This will be achieved through supporting Timor-Leste’s accessions and post-accessions to the World Trade Organisation (WTO), the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and the European Union-Pacific (EU-P) Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA). In doing so, the project aims to further develop Timor-Leste’s economy and dynamize the private sector through a better integration in the multilateral and regional trading system. The project is implemented under the leadership of the Cabinet of the Vice-Minister for ASEAN Affairs (VMAA). Other main stakeholders within the government are the Cabinet of the coordinating minister for Economic Affairs (MCAE) and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MCI). Additional project counterparts include the National Parliament, the Private Sector, and the Civil Society. While the overall objective of the project is to contribute to Timor-Leste’s economic integration and trade in the Southeast Asia region, the specific objective of the Action is to promote trade and regional integration for Timor-Leste. This will be achieved through supporting Timor-Leste’s accession to the WTO, ASEAN, and EU-Pacific EPA. The Associação Empresarial das Mulheres de Timor-Leste (AEMTL) is a non-profit business association representing approximately 400 women entrepreneurs across all 13 municipalities of Timor-Leste. AEMTL supports women-led enterprises through advocacy, capacity building, market linkages and access to productive resources. AEMTL also manages an Art and Gallery Centre promoting handicrafts and artisanal products produced by women across the country. Following a consultative meeting between ITC and AEMTL on 25 February 2026, the two organisations identified priority areas for technical cooperation. These areas were subsequently formalised through a Letter of Intent regarding cooperation between ITC and AEMTL. The cooperation focuses on strengthening AEMTL's institutional capacity and governance; enhancing the productive and market-readiness capacities of women-led enterprises; facilitating access to domestic, ASEAN and international markets; supporting quality standards and export readiness; promoting digital trade and e-commerce; improving access to finance; and contributing to sustainable economic empowerment of women across Timor-Leste. To support effective implementation of this cooperation, ITC intends to recruit a Individual Contractor who will be contracted by ITC and seconded to AEMTL. The position will provide embedded operational and coordination support to AEMTL while facilitating effective coordination between AEMTL, ITC and relevant partners. DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES: The Individual Contractor will provide day-to-day coordination, administrative, operational and programme support to AEMTL in implementing activities under the ITC–AEMTL cooperation framework. The Individual Contractor will serve as an embedded focal point within AEMTL, helping translate agreed priorities and workplans into practical activities, supporting engagement with AEMTL members across the municipalities, maintaining relevant information and records, and facilitating coordination with ITC and other relevant stakeholders. The position will also contribute to strengthening AEMTL's institutional and operational capacity, including its strategic planning, member database, activity planning, communication, monitoring and reporting systems. Under the overall guidance of AEMTL and in close coordination with ITC, the Individual Contractor will: 1. Programme and Activity Coordination

Support AEMTL in translating the agreed ITC–AEMTL workplan into practical activities and timelines.
Assist in planning, organising and following up on workshops, training sessions, business coaching, consultations, study visits, trade fairs and other activities as needed.
Coordinate regularly with ITC technical teams regarding the preparation and delivery of activities.
Support logistical arrangements for activities, including participant mobilisation, venues, materials, invitations, attendance and follow-up.
Maintain an updated calendar of planned and completed activities.
Follow up on agreed action points arising from ITC–AEMTL coordination meetings.
Assist in identifying implementation challenges and bring them to the attention of AEMTL and ITC for appropriate follow-up.
Support outreach to AEMTL members in municipalities outside Dili, as required. 2. Support to AEMTL Institutional Strengthening
Support AEMTL in the preparation and implementation of its strategic plan and annual workplan.
Assist in organising internal planning and coordination meetings.
Support the strengthening of AEMTL's internal systems and procedures.
Assist with documentation of AEMTL activities, achievements, challenges and lessons learned.
Support improved member engagement and communication.
Assist AEMTL in maintaining organised records of members, activities, partnerships and results.
Provide practical support to the AEMTL management in coordinating activities under the ITC–AEMTL cooperation. 3. Women-Led Enterprise Database and Member Engagement
Support the development, updating and maintenance of AEMTL's database of women-led enterprises.
Assist in collecting and organising information on members, including business sector, location, products/services and relevant business needs.
Support regular communication and engagement with AEMTL members.
Help identify member needs and priorities that can inform future training, business coaching and market-access activities.
Support outreach to women entrepreneurs in all municipalities where AEMTL operates.
Maintain appropriate records of participation in ITC-supported activities. 4. Training and Capacity-Building Support
Support the identification and consolidation of training needs among AEMTL members.
Assist in organising training on areas identified under the cooperation framework, including: o business advocacy and enterprise management; o financial literacy, bookkeeping and accounting; o product development and innovation; o logistics and supply-chain management; o digital payments and financial technology; o e-commerce and digital marketing; o ASEAN regulations, standards and certification; o business planning and access to finance; and o tourism and hospitality standards.
Support participant mobilisation and registration.
Maintain training attendance and participant records.
Develop post-event survey and sssist in collecting participant feedback and follow-up information.
Support follow-up to ensure that training is connected with practical application and business opportunities. 5. Market Access and Business Linkages
Support AEMTL in identifying market-access opportunities for women-led enterprises.
Assist in organising business matchmaking, buyer-supplier meetings, trade fairs, exhibitions and business forums.
Support AEMTL members' participation in relevant ASEAN and international trade events.
Assist in compiling information on potential buyers, markets, partners and business-support organisations.
Support coordination with TradeInvest, CCITL and other relevant stakeholders, as appropriate.
Assist in documenting market linkages and business opportunities arising from ITC-supported activities. 6. Monitoring, Reporting and Results Tracking
Support AEMTL in monitoring progress against agreed activities and outputs.
Maintain an updated activity and results tracker.
Assist in collecting data on participation, training completion, business linkages and other relevant outputs.
Support preparation of activity completion reports and other reporting required under the ITC–AEMTL cooperation.
Assist in collecting participant feedback and post-training survey information.
Flag delays, implementation challenges and emerging needs to AEMTL management and the relevant ITC focal point. Copyright Clause: The consultant has to ensure to have obtained the necessary permissions with regard to intellectual property rights required to perform her services under this consultancy contract and for the subsequent dissemination by ITC in any form. Documentary proof is to be submitted to ITC. Should any license fee be due for the use of copyrighted materials of third parties, the consultant shall request the prior written permission from ITC. ITC champions workforce diversity, inclusion, gender equality and gender parity and considers all qualified persons - of all genders - equally, including those with disabilities, without discrimination or prejudice of any kind.

Qualifications/special skills

University degree in business administration, economics, international trade, development studies, management, public administration, or another relevant field, an advantage

At least 3 years of relevant professional experience in programme/project support, business development, private-sector development, trade, entrepreneurship, economic development, or a related field.
Experience supporting the implementation of development projects, training programmes or business-support activities.
Experience working with private-sector organisations, business associations, SMEs or women-led enterprises would be an advantage.
Experience in event and training coordination, stakeholder engagement and activity reporting.
Experience working with Government institutions, development partners or international organisations would be an advantage. Skills
Good organizational and coordination skills.
Ability to manage multiple activities and deadlines.
Good written and oral communication skills.
Ability to prepare clear meeting notes, reports, presentations and other programme documents.
Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
Ability to maintain databases and structured records.
Understanding of entrepreneurship, SME development, trade or women's economic empowerment.
Ability to work independently while maintaining effective coordination with multiple stakeholders

Languages

Fluency in Tetum and English is required. Fluency in Portuguese is an advantage.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.

Individual Contractor: Associacao Empresarial das Mulheres de Timor-Leste (AEMTL)