Small Business Development Advisor - Volunteer Position - Onsite in Timor-Leste • Asia - 10 months
Sales & Business Development
United States
Posted on Sep 9, 2026
About The Project
Timor-Leste’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry is seeking a savvy business professional to help expand opportunities for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
Timor-Leste is actively working to diversify its economy and strengthen local industries, yet many MSMEs continue to face challenges, including limited business skills, low productivity, restricted access to training, and a heavy reliance on imported goods. Since restoring independence in 2002, the country has prioritized development agriculture, tourism, hospitality, and entrepreneurship as key pathways for reducing petroleum dependence. With nearly 70% of the population under age 25—and with regional economic engagement expanding following Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) accession in 2025—supporting entrepreneurship and workforce development has become a national priority. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has identified the need for a well-designed business incubation center capable of delivering practical training, mentorship, and technical support to emerging businesses and entrepreneurs.
As a Small Business Development Advisor, you will work closely with Ministry staff to build the institutional capacity needed to design and operate a sustainable, high‑quality business incubation center. Together, you will conduct needs assessments, field research, sector analysis, and workshops. You will improve planning and coordination of entrepreneurship services. Your support will build stronger MSMEs, generate more employment opportunities, and contribute to the country’s economic resilience and growth.
Activities
How you and the community will make an impact together:
Conduct field assessments to identify opportunities for incubation and enterprise growth.
Collect and analyze data to inform incubation needs and priorities.
Map supply chain gaps, sector priorities, and workforce skills required for successful incubation.
Research international incubation center models and distill best practices to shape the center’s design and services.
Develop a comprehensive implementation plan and operational manual that outlines the center’s structure, staffing, budgeting, procedures, and support services.
Lead capacity-building workshops for government and industry partners to strengthen project planning, implementation, and long-term enterprise development.
You may also work on additional projects that meet the community’s interests and priorities, such as supporting business English workshops.
Required Skills
Qualified candidates will have the following criteria:
Bachelor's degree in a relevant field, including social science, education, business, management and organizational development.
AND
Three or more years of technical expertise in organizational capacity development and training, strategic planning, or results-based project management and reporting.
Language: There are no pre-requisite language requirements for this position.
Key dates
APPLY BY : November 15, 2026
KNOW BY : January 1, 2027
DEPART ON : June 22, 2027
DURATION : 10 months
Timor-Leste’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry is seeking a savvy business professional to help expand opportunities for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
Timor-Leste is actively working to diversify its economy and strengthen local industries, yet many MSMEs continue to face challenges, including limited business skills, low productivity, restricted access to training, and a heavy reliance on imported goods. Since restoring independence in 2002, the country has prioritized development agriculture, tourism, hospitality, and entrepreneurship as key pathways for reducing petroleum dependence. With nearly 70% of the population under age 25—and with regional economic engagement expanding following Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) accession in 2025—supporting entrepreneurship and workforce development has become a national priority. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has identified the need for a well-designed business incubation center capable of delivering practical training, mentorship, and technical support to emerging businesses and entrepreneurs.
As a Small Business Development Advisor, you will work closely with Ministry staff to build the institutional capacity needed to design and operate a sustainable, high‑quality business incubation center. Together, you will conduct needs assessments, field research, sector analysis, and workshops. You will improve planning and coordination of entrepreneurship services. Your support will build stronger MSMEs, generate more employment opportunities, and contribute to the country’s economic resilience and growth.
Activities
How you and the community will make an impact together:
Conduct field assessments to identify opportunities for incubation and enterprise growth.
Collect and analyze data to inform incubation needs and priorities.
Map supply chain gaps, sector priorities, and workforce skills required for successful incubation.
Research international incubation center models and distill best practices to shape the center’s design and services.
Develop a comprehensive implementation plan and operational manual that outlines the center’s structure, staffing, budgeting, procedures, and support services.
Lead capacity-building workshops for government and industry partners to strengthen project planning, implementation, and long-term enterprise development.
You may also work on additional projects that meet the community’s interests and priorities, such as supporting business English workshops.
Required Skills
Qualified candidates will have the following criteria:
Bachelor's degree in a relevant field, including social science, education, business, management and organizational development.
AND
Three or more years of technical expertise in organizational capacity development and training, strategic planning, or results-based project management and reporting.
Language: There are no pre-requisite language requirements for this position.
Key dates
APPLY BY : November 15, 2026
KNOW BY : January 1, 2027
DEPART ON : June 22, 2027
DURATION : 10 months