UN Volunteer Jobs

Host entity: ITC TLS

Volunteer type: National

Areas of expertise: Administration, Legal affairs

Application deadline: 31/08/2026

Mission and objectives

The International Trade Centre (ITC) is a joint agency of the United Nations (UN) and the World Trade Organization (WTO). It is the only multilateral agency fully dedicated to supporting the internationaliza-tion of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). ITC’s mission is to foster sustainable and inclusive growth and development through trade and international business development. ITC projects and programmes contribute to the global efforts to achieve the UN Global Goals for Sustainable Devel-opment and the Aid for Trade Agenda. Among others, ITCs projects contribute to SDG 8 (decent work and economic growth), SDG 17 (partnerships for the goals), SDG 12 (responsible consumption and pro-duction) and SDG 9 (industry, innovation and infrastructure).

Assignment context

This United Nations Volunteers (UNV) assignment is part of the International Trade Centre’s project “Timor-Leste: Support to Regional Integration and Trade” funded by the European Union (EU). The Project aims to contribute to Timor-Leste’s economic integration and trade in the world and in the Southeast Asian 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 better integration in the multilateral trading system. While the overall objective of the Project is to contribute to Timor-Leste’s economic integration in the world and in the Southeast Asian region, the specific objective of this Project is to promote economic development and diversification through trade. 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). In addition, key stakeholders also include the National Parliament, the private sector and civil society. The Project comprises of a national project office set up in Dili, which works in close coordination with ITC headquarters, which is based in Geneva. The UN Volunteer will join the National Project Office in Dili.

Task description

Under the guidance and supervision of the Project Manager and legal and policy implementation expert and, when applicable, the indications of the senior public government official of the concerning institution , the Junior Legal Trainee will undertake the following tasks:
• Conduct legal research and provide support in reviewing national legislation, regulations, and international agreements relevant to trade, regional integration, investment, digital economy, and economic development, among others.
• Assist in the review, compilation, and analysis of legal and policy documents related to Timor-Leste’s commitments under Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), World Trade Organization (WTO), and other regional and international frameworks.
• Support the preparation of legal research notes, briefing materials, summaries, presentations, and other project-related legal documents.
• Assist in monitoring legal and regulatory developments relevant to project activities and maintain updated records of relevant laws, regulations, and policy documents.
• Support legal gap assessments and comparative analysis of national frameworks against international and regional standards, where required.
• Assist in reviewing draft legal instruments, regulations, guidelines, and other documents prepared under the project, including checking consistency, structure, and references.
• Support stakeholder consultations by preparing background materials, meeting notes, and follow-up documentation related to legal and regulatory activities.
• Assist in organizing legal knowledge resources, including databases, reference materials, and project documentation.
• Provide support in translating or reviewing legal and policy-related materials between English, Portuguese, and Tetum, where required.
• Perform other project-related legal research and support tasks assigned by the supervisor.

Skills and experience

Experience in undertaking legal research for various topics is highly desirable

Experience in drafting legal documents is highly desirable

Knowledge of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and its key legal instruments is highly desirable.

Working proficiency in MS Office tools, particularly MS Word is required.

Competencies and values

• Accountability
• Adaptability and flexibility
• Creativity
• Judgement and decision-making
• Planning and organising
• Professionalism
• Self-management

Living conditions

Timor Leste is half of a tropical island on the Australian continental shelf characterized by a rugged mountain chain running east-west that divides the country into a generally warmer north coast and a milder south coast. The capital city, Dili, is located in the north.  Climate: The climate along the coast is relatively warm hot year-round with an annual average temperature of 30°C. There are two distinct seasons: the north-east monsoon season, which runs from November to March, constitutes the rainy season throughout the country. The southeast monsoon season, which runs from March to October, constitutes the dry season with some rain on the southern coast but otherwise dry and windy conditions in the rest of the country. The climate inland with its high mountains can be very cold with an annual average temperature of 15°C.  Health: Public hospital and private clinic provide services to community. Stamford clinic in Dili serves as a recommended medical facility for UN staff. There is a national hospital with some international staff and a limited number of other private clinics in Dili (such as DMC). For more complex medical treatment and assessment, it is necessary to evacuate to neighbouring cities/countries such as Darwin or Singapore. There is currently no reported cases of Corona Virus in Timor-Leste.  Diet, Food and Water: Most staple foods can be found in the markets such as rice, meat, vegetables, cooking oil, salt and sugar. There is a variety of food ranging from Western to Southeast Asian fare. You can also find several local restaurants with less expensive meals.  Telecommunications: There are three telecommunication providers in country, Timor Telecom and Telcomcel and Telemor. While Timor Telecom has been long present, Telcomcel and Telemor were newly launched in Timor-Leste, and started operating in February 2013. The SIM cards cost $2-3 and pre-paid/pulsa cards range from $1 to $50.    UN Volunteers should be provided equal duty of care as extended to all host entity personnel. Host entity support to the UN Volunteer includes, but is not limited to:  • Introductory briefings about the organisation and office-related context including security, emergency procedures, good cultural practice and orientation to the local environment;  • Support with arrival administration including setting-up of bank accounts, residence permit applications and completion of other official processes as required by the host government or host entity;  • Structured guidance, mentoring and coaching by a supervisor including a clear workplan and performance appraisal;  • Access to office space, equipment, IT support and any other systems and tools required to complete the objectives of the assignment including a host entity email address;  • Access to shared host entity corporate knowledge, training and learning;  • Inclusion of the volunteer in emergency procedures such as evacuations;  • Leave management;  • DSA for official travel, when applicable;  • All changes in the Description of Assignment occurring between recruitment and arrival or during the assignment need to be formalized with the United Nations Volunteer Programme.  The contract lasts for the period indicated above with possibility of extensions subject to availability of funding, operational necessity, and satisfactory performance. However, there is no expectation of renewal of the assignment.

Full eligibility requirements, conditions of service and application instructions are available on the official UNV platform.