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Serve where you’re needed mostSmall Business Development Advisor
Community Economic Development
Job highlights
- Develop advanced skills in data analysis, research, project planning, and cross-sector collaboration.
- Deepen your expertise in entrepreneurship development, workforce readiness training, and organizational capacity building.
- Experience life in a country rich in tradition, warm hospitality, and stunning landscapes, while building lasting relationships within Timorese communities.
Timor-Leste • Asia
In partnership with: Ministry of Commerce and Industry
Get answers live — every weekday at .
Apply by
November 15, 2026Know by
January 1, 2027Depart on
June 22, 2027Duration
10 monthsAbout 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.
Learn more about what Volunteers do in country by visiting our Timor-Leste project page.
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.
Required behavioral competencies
These competencies are essential for all service assignments and are assessed in the application and interview process:
Motivation for and commitment to service
Adaptability and open-mindedness
Problem solving and resourcefulness
Behavioral maturity and professionalism
Photos from Timor-Leste
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.
The Volunteer will live in the capital where urban conveniences, an array of cultural events, and delicious foods and markets are available. Volunteers live with Timorese host families within a 20‑minute walk or short ride to their worksites, and have regular access to electricity, water, and internet, though outages do occur. Small buses and taxis make travel easy and inexpensive.
Learn more about the living conditions, including detailed information on culture, communications, housing, and health/crime statistics on our Timor-Leste country page. You can also delve into stories about local communities by reading our blog or Volunteer stories.
Meet a Volunteer in Timor-Leste
Jade J.
English Teacher
"Throughout this past year I have built relationships with my students and grown to love them. Seeing them return that love and enthusiasm to learn has been the most enjoyable aspect of serving my community."
See full Volunteer profile
After a two-week orientation on topics such as health and safety, you will move to an urban community where you will collaborate with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry staff to assess needs and develop a work plan for the business incubation center initiative.
Peace Corps/Timor-Leste will equip you with Tetum language resources, and you may work with a tutor who can help you build basic language skills to connect with colleagues and the community.
Only heterosexual couples can be accepted for this program. Each person must apply separately and must qualify for a position in either the same or a different sector than their partner. Couples will live together during training but may separate occasionally for field-based activities. Couples who are selected for the same sector will live together but work with different local partners which may be in the same community or in neighboring communities (not more than 30 minutes apart). Cohabitating couples are highly encouraged to present themselves as married throughout service due to cultural expectations.
To learn more about serving as a couple in Timor-Leste, visit the country page.
Application process
From application to departure takes around nine months. Learn about the application process for Volunteer opportunities.
Medical/legal clearance
You will need to be cleared medically and legally in order to serve in Timor-Leste. Review information on medical clearance and legal clearance to learn about the process.
