The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was founded in 1967 with the purpose of promoting regional cooperation in Southeast Asia, in the spirit of equality and partnership and thereby contribute towards peace, progress and prosperity in the region. ASEAN comprises ten (10) countries in Southeast Asia, with Timor Leste as its 11^th member with an “Observer” status. It was proclaimed a community through the “Kuala Lumpur Declaration on ASEAN 2025: Forging Ahead Together,” signed by the ASEAN Leaders during the 27th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in 2015. The ASEAN Community Vision 2025 calls for the ASEAN Community in forging ahead together, and to work towards building a community that is politically cohesive, economically integrated and socially responsible.

The ASEAN Secretariat was established in 1976 by the Foreign Ministers of the ASEAN Member States with basic functions of providing greater efficiency in the coordination of ASEAN organs and for more effective implementation of ASEAN projects and activities. It is also envisioned to be the nerve centre of a strong and confident ASEAN Community that is globally respected for acting in full compliance with its Charter and in the best interest of its people.

In alignment with the ASEAN 2025 and Key Aspirations of the three pillars of the ASEAN Community, namely the ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC), the ASEAN Economic Community and the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community, supported by the Department of Community and Corporate Affairs, the ASEAN Secretariat is inviting qualified ASEAN Nationals to apply for the position of Senior Project Officer of the Timor-Leste Unit for the Legal Services and Agreements Directorate (LSAD). 

This position will be supported by the ASEAN Member States and Timor-Leste through the Timor-Leste Unit Fund.

Remuneration and Benefits:
Successful candidate will be offered a basic salary of USD 3,893 and attractive remuneration package including housing, outpatient medical reimbursement, hospitalization & life insurance, children’s education and gratuity. The successful candidate will be contracted for one (1) year inclusive of six months’ probationary period. Renewal of contract will be subject to availability of the fund and the need of the Timor-Leste Unit.

1. The Senior Project Officer (SPO) for LSAD will be responsible for coordinating all legal related matters on Timor-Leste’s admission to ASEAN and its accession to the ASEAN legal instruments. This role involves close collaboration with ASEAN Secretariat desk officers who service the ASEAN Sectoral Ministerial Bodies (ASMBs) overseeing the implementation of the ASEAN legal instruments in the respective APSC, AEC and ASCC Pillars, ASEAN Member States, and Timor-Leste, to support and facilitate Timor-Leste’s admission to ASEAN and its accession to the ASEAN legal instruments pursuant to the Roadmap for Timor-Leste’s Full Membership in ASEAN.Reporting to Director of Political and Security Directorate, the SPO shall be responsible for:1.    Coordination and Liaison:
   (i). Maintain effective communication and coordination with Timor-Leste representatives and assist Timor-Leste in negotiating and acceding to all ASEAN legal instruments identified in the Roadmap for Timor-Leste’s Full Membership in ASEAN.
   (ii). Liaise with ASEAN Secretariat Desk Officers in the APSC, AEC and ASCC Departments to support and facilitate ASMBs in negotiating the accession by Timor-Leste to each ASEAN legal instrument under the respective APSC, AEC and ASCC Pillars.
   (iii). Provide legal advice and develop legal process, instrument of accession and any other legal instruments necessary for Timor-Leste’s admission to ASEAN and its accession to the ASEAN legal instruments.2.    Capacity-Building
   (i).  Assist the APSC, AEC and ASCC Departments in developing capacity building initiatives on legal related matters for Timor-Leste’s accession to the ASEAN legal instruments and their effective implementation.
   (ii). Be responsible for the coordination and management for capacity-building programmes on legal related matters provided by ASEAN, ASEAN Member States and external partners to Timor-Leste.3.    Progress Monitoring and Reporting:
   (i). Compile, prepare progress reports, and present, where applicable, legal findings to the relevant ASMBs for their consideration.
   (ii). Conduct semi-annual reviews of the progress made by Timor-Leste in acceding to the ASEAN legal instruments identified in the Roadmap for Timor-Leste’s Full Membership in ASEAN.4.    Policy and Strategic Planning:
   (i).  Support the Desk Officers in APSC, AEC, ASCC Department in development and refinement of strategies by providing legal related views to the policy papers, BNTPs, discussion papers, etc. on issues, challenges, and opportunities to enhance Timor-Leste’s capacity in the implementation of the ASEAN legal instruments, in particular the ASEAN Charter.

   5.    Administrative Support:
   (i).  Assist in the development and management of project proposal, project budget and workplan for projects, including those related to capacity building support to Timor-Leste to accede to and abide the ASEAN legal instruments.

   6.    Post-Accession Support:
   (i).  If Timor-Leste’s admission to ASEAN occurs, assist Timor-Leste with the necessary capacity building to fully comply with the rights and obligations being a Member State of ASEAN.

1. • Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent degree) in Law, specialising in International Law or other appropriate specialist disciplines with a minimum of 3 years of relevant work experience. Bachelor’s degree holders in the related disciplines with relevant work experience of a minimum of 5 years may be considered.
   • Comprehensive and in-depth theoretical knowledge of international law, as well as the practical application of legal principles, concepts and policy to a range of legal issues in the area of international law.
   • Demonstrated abilities in problem-solving, planning, and development of policies and procedures.
   • Demonstrated abilities to work in a team and motivate team members.
   • Demonstrated advanced abilities in oral and written communication, whilst possessing sound interpersonal skills, including experience having worked in a cross-cultural environment and international settings.
   • Demonstrated commitments to collaborative work practices.
   • Competencies in IT skills, including an adequate knowledge of Microsoft Office.
   • Proven abilities to function under pressure and adhere to deadlines with excellent time management and organisational skills.
   • Excellent command of the English language, written and spoken.