Sustainable Development Goals
The Project
The Finance Mentor at Instituto São João de Brito (ISJB) will strengthen the financial governance, transparency, and long‑term sustainability of one of Timor‑Leste’s leading teacher‑education institutions. ISJB forms the next generation of secondary school teachers will shape the future of education across the country.
The volunteer will work closely with the Vice Rector for Administration and Finance and the finance team to improve budgeting, financial planning, reporting, and compliance. Through practical, hands‑on mentoring, the volunteer will help staff build confidence in core financial management practices and embed simple, transparent systems suited to a low‑resource school environment.
Strong financial systems are essential to sustaining this mission. By strengthening financial procedures, documentation, and decision‑making processes, the volunteer will help ISJB operate more efficiently, meet donor and government requirements, and plan strategically for growth. The ultimate goal is to build local ownership so that ISJB’s finance team can independently maintain strong systems long after the assignment ends.
The Location
Timor Leste is a young and vibrant nation rebuilding after decades of conflict. With more than half the population under 25, education is a national priority—and ISJB plays a central role in forming competent, ethical, and socially engaged teachers for the country’s future.
Kasait, in the municipality of Liquiça, is a coastal rural area approximately 25 minutes from Dili. It is home to the Jesuit education complex that includes Colégio Santo Inácio de Loiolá and Instituto São João de Brito. The campus has reliable internet, a library, and a supportive community of staff and students. A Jesuit run clinic is located next door, and transport to Dili is available via school bus.
The Challenge
ISJB has an active finance team and existing financial policies, but staff require further mentoring to strengthen budgeting, financial planning, reporting, and compliance. As a growing institution with multiple partners, ISJB needs robust systems that ensure transparency, accountability, and long‑term sustainability.
About You
Palms participants for this placement will need to demonstrate the following qualifications, skills, and attributes:
• Degree or certificate in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration
• Strong proficiency in Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and basic computer functions
• Experience mentoring or training staff in financial administration
• Experience working with small or low resource organisations
• Experience in financial strategy, budgeting, and operations
• Patience, adaptability, and cultural sensitivity
• Commitment to teamwork, coaching, and long term capacity building
• Ability to cope with cultural isolation and different living standards
• Commitment to serve for 12 months with limited resources
• Willingness to engage their Australian community in supporting the placement
How You Will Help
First, you must be willing to learn from the local community.
Over the first few weeks you are asked not to change anything or suggest a change to operations. During this period, you will take the time to learn language and cultural mores from a local counterpart willing to mentor you. You will also start a register of the strengths of the current personnel and the assets in the community/country that might be used to achieve the goals of the assignment.
You need to commit to clarifying why things are done the way they are rather than presuming from your own cultural lens to outline what is missing. So, you need to ask questions to enable you to learn from your hosts, rather than in ignorance make suggestions about how things can improve. Palms training will prepare you for this approach.
From then onward, you will apply your expertise in the following areas:
• 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.
By the end of the assignment, ISJB will have:
• Stronger, more transparent financial systems
• A confident finance team capable of independent financial management
• Clear procedures and documentation that support long term sustainability
• Improved financial planning that strengthens ISJB’s mission to form high quality teachers for Timor Leste
Your contribution will support ISJB’s vision of producing ethical, competent educators who serve communities across the country—especially in rural and underserved areas.