Help build digital confidence and essential computer skills for teachers in rural Timor Leste.

The Aileu Municipality Youth Centre, through Palms International Volunteering, is seeking an IT Teacher Mentor to strengthen the digital skills of local teachers using simple, offline friendly methods suited to low resource schools. Your mentoring will help teachers use computers confidently, integrate digital tools into lessons, and support students to develop essential 21st century skills.

This role is ideal for someone passionate about digital inclusion, practical training, and sustainable capacity building.

What you’ll do

First several weeks – Learn, observe, and build trust

• Learn local language, cultural norms, and school context with support from a local mentor.
• Observe existing digital practices and document strengths and community assets.
• Avoid recommending changes during this period; focus on understanding why things are done the way they are.

Ongoing responsibilities

Build teacher capacity in basic digital skills

• Deliver hands on training in typing, file management, email, and safe digital practices.
• Train teachers to use Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for lesson preparation and school administration.
• Provide simple, offline friendly learning activities suited to rural classrooms.
• Offer one on one coaching to build confidence and independence

Develop practical and reusable digital resources

• Create step by step guides, templates, and teaching materials teachers can use repeatedly.
• Organise resources into accessible folders or USB drives for low connectivity environments.
• Produce examples of worksheets, reading texts, and presentations that model good digital practice.

Support teachers to integrate technology into daily teaching

• Demonstrate how digital tools can enhance lessons and classroom activities.
• Model technology enhanced teaching strategies through co teaching or demonstration sessions.
• Guide teachers to apply digital skills directly in lesson planning and delivery.

Mentor and develop local “digital champions”

• Identify motivated teachers or youth who can continue training others.
• Provide additional coaching so champions can troubleshoot basic issues and maintain equipment.
• Support champions to sustain digital learning long after the placement ends.

What you’ll bring

• Formal education in Agribusiness, Agriculture, or Rural Development.
• Understanding of climate-smart and sustainable farming practices.
• Skills in developing, implementing, and reviewing agricultural initiatives.
• Training expertise across design, delivery, implementation, and assessment
• Ability to guide farmers in improving productivity, and diversifying crops.
• Strong mentoring, communication, and teamwork skills.
• Patience, adaptability, and cultural sensitivity.
• The ability to cope with cultural isolation and different living standards.
• Commitment to serve for 12 months with limited resources.

What you’ll gain

• Deep cultural immersion in rural Timor Leste.
• The opportunity to close the digital gap for teachers and students.
• Professional experience in cross cultural digital education.
• Contribution to SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality).

About Aileu Municipality Youth Centre The Youth Centre is a grassroots, volunteer run organisation that supports young people in Aileu through community-based training, youth development activities, and partnerships that strengthen local capacity. Aileu is a largely rural, mountainous municipality where community organisations like Aileu Municipality Youth Centre, plays a vital role in providing opportunities for young people, including training in areas such as agriculture, literacy, computing, and livelihood skills. These initiatives align with broader municipal efforts to strengthen local democracy, improve education and training, and encourage youth engagement in community development.

About Palms International Volunteering For 65 years, Palms International Volunteering has supported skilled Australians to live and work alongside communities in the Asia-Pacific. Our volunteers don’t ‘fix’ problem - they build relationships, strengthen local capacity, and walk with communities striving for dignity and opportunity. These are ‘solidarity placements’. Accommodation and a small stipend is provided, as well as preparation and ongoing support.

The focus is on living as a true neighbour to learn, and to establish an effective mentoring role. This is the basis for lasting capacity building in the community. It is also a chance for you to step out of the rush and reconnect with what matters through a deep cultural immersion and genuine community relationships.