Operations Intern, MDF Timor-Leste

Internship opportunities for three months.Based in Timor-Leste, interns will support MDF’s efforts to promote economic development, particularly through fieldwork in the agriculture sector.MDF Internships offer a chance to learn on-the-job skills while also contributing to actual projects. Interns receive a monthly stipend.

About MDF
Australia’s Market Development Facility (MDF) helps countries in the Indo-Pacific region to grow through improved productivity, economic diversification, competitiveness and trade. MDF helps business partners and government to identify markets that have high potential to grow, be profitable, and deliver social and environmental value. Our aim is to do good by supporting good business. MDF supports business investment and innovation that reduces poverty, economically empowers women and combats climate change.

MDF currently operates in Fiji, Timor-Leste, Samoa, Vanuatu, Tonga and Sri Lanka. It is funded by the Australian Government. It is implemented by Palladium, in partnership with Swisscontact.

The Opportunity
The Operations Intern supports MDF’s Operations unit in administration and procurement while gaining practical knowledge in operations management and contributing to various operational projects.

Responsibilities

Assist the Operations unit in daily administrative tasks, including travel and fleet management.Help maintain organized filing systems, both digital and physical, for important documents and records.Assist in the planning and organization of internal and external events, including meetings, training sessions, and team-building activities.Help coordinate logistics such as venue booking, catering, and equipment setup.Input and manage data related to procurement activities, such as purchase orders, supplier contracts, and inventory levels.Help to process purchase orders and assist in the procurement cycle, including tracking orders and ensuring timely deliveries.Assist in communication with suppliers, including requesting quotes, negotiating terms, or resolving issues.Monitor stock levels and helping to manage office inventory to ensure that supply meets demand.Attend team meetings and take notes or following up on action items as needed.Other activities as directed by Operations Manager, Country Director, or other representatives of Palladium.

Education, Skills, Knowledge and Experience:

MDF is looking for enthusiastic university graduates with a desire to learn and a keen interest in development in Timor-Leste. In addition, successful interns will have:

A bachelor’s degree in communication, finance, administration, business, economic development, or other related field.Graduated within the last two years, with a minimum Grade Point average of 3.0Good skills in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel and PowerPoint).Excellent written and spoken Tetun language skills.Willingness to travel regularly and extensively within Timor-Leste.

Desirable Criteria

Experience with fieldwork, research and data collection.Good written and spoken English language skills.

 How to Apply

For full details on role requirements, please click here to view the Terms of Reference
Please submit your application online, including your CV and brief cover letter, outlining your suitability in line with the requirements of the position.

Closing date: Midnight 16 June 2025, Dili Time. e

Positions are open to Timorese nationals only.

About Palladium 

Palladium is a global company working to design, develop and deliver positive impact on the lives and livelihoods of people around the globe; broaden access to health, water, power, and infrastructure; build enduring, sustainable, and transformative institutions and market systems to address global challenges; and conserve the natural world. We operate in over 90 countries and have a workforce of 4,000 talented, motivated, and diverse staff of all religions, races, languages, and gender identities. 

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion - Palladium is committed to embedding equity, diversity, and inclusion into everything we do. We welcome applications from all sections of society and actively encourage diversity to drive innovation, creativity, success and good practice. We positively welcome and seek to ensure we achieve diversity in our workforce; and that all job applicants and employees receive equal and fair treatment regardless of their background or personal characteristics. These include: (but are not limited to) socio-economic background, age, race, gender identity and expression, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, nationality, veteran, marital or Indigenous status. 
Should you require any adjustments or accommodations to be made due to a disability or you are a neurodivergent individual or for any other circumstance, please email our team at accessibility@thepalladiumgroup.com and we will be in touch to discuss.

Safeguarding - We define Safeguarding as “the preventative action taken by Palladium to protect our people, clients and the communities we work with from harm”. We are committed to ensuring that all children and adults who come into contact with Palladium are treated with respect and are free from abuse.  All successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced selection process including safeguarding-focused interviews and a rigorous due diligence process.