Help strengthen financial governance and sustainability in a leading teacher training institute

Instituto São João de Brito (ISJB) is seeking a Finance Mentor to build the confidence and capability of its finance team. Your mentoring will help strengthen budgeting, financial planning, reporting, and compliance—supporting ISJB’s mission to form high quality secondary school teachers for Timor Leste.

This role is ideal for someone passionate about financial systems, capacity building, and sustainable organisational development.

What you’ll do

First several weeks – Learn, observe, and build trust

• Learn Tetun, cultural norms, and workplace context with support from a local mentor.

• Observe existing financial practices and document strengths and assets.

• Avoid recommending changes during this period; focus on understanding why things are done the way they are.

Ongoing responsibilities

• Develop simple, transparent financial systems suited to a low resource school environment.

• Mentor school staff to understand financial planning, budget projection, and reporting.

• Train staff on accountability and compliance with diocesan, government, and donor requirements.

• Mentor staff to make informed financial decisions that improve school operations and long term sustainability.

• Document processes so the school can continue finance practices independently.

What you’ll bring

• Qualifications in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration.

• Experience in financial management, budgeting, and organisational systems.

• Experience mentoring or training staff, ideally in low resource settings.

• Strong Excel and basic computer skills.

• Patience, adaptability, and cultural sensitivity.

• Commitment to serve for 12 months with limited resources.

• Willingness to engage your Australian community in supporting the placement.

What you’ll gain

• Deep cultural immersion in a Jesuit education community.

• The opportunity to strengthen financial governance in a growing institution.

• Professional experience in cross cultural financial capacity building.

• Contribution to SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 17 (Partnerships).

About Instituto São João de Brito (ISJB) in Kasait, Timor Leste The Instituto São João de Brito (ISJB) originates from the long educational tradition of the Society of Jesus in Timor-Leste. Since the foundation of the Jesuit mission in Soibada in 1899, the Jesuits have consistently served the Timorese people through education and pastoral activities in rural parishes such as Railaco and Sua.

The Jesuits also committed to their educational mission by administering the institute. The mission is to educate and form young Timorese men and women to become leaders of the Church and society based on Gospel values.

Most ISJB students come from rural areas, where the primary livelihood is subsistence agriculture. Many students face financial difficulties, having to allocate their family’s limited resources to both tuition fees and living expenses. Despite these challenges, ISJB remains hopeful and committed to contributing meaningfully to the advancement of education and the formation of future educators in Timor-Leste.

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.