How to Write a CV in Timor-Leste: Format & Guide 2026

Timor-Leste (East Timor) is a young nation that gained independence in 2002, with an economy built on petroleum revenues, agriculture, and a significant international development sector. Dili is the main professional hub. The formal job market is shaped by the public sector, international organisations, and a developing private sector. Portuguese and Tetum are the official languages, but English is dominant in international organisations and increasingly important in private sector roles.

The Timor-Leste CV Format

CVs in Timor-Leste follow an international format reflecting the country's multilingual professional environment. English is the primary language for international organisations and foreign-owned companies; Portuguese is used for government and formal institutional applications; Tetum is the lingua franca but is less commonly used in written professional documents. One to two pages is the standard length.

Use a clean, readable font at 11-12 points. For international development sector applications, follow any specific formatting requirements outlined in the job advertisement.

Language and Personal Information

English is required for international organisations (UNDP, UNICEF, ILO, World Bank), the UN Mission presence, and international NGOs. Portuguese is required for government ministries and formal public sector applications. Professionals applying across both sectors often maintain both an English and Portuguese version.

Include: full name, address in Dili or the relevant municipality, phone number (with country code for international applications), and email address. Date of birth is commonly included. Nationality is standard.

Professional Photo

A professional headshot is commonly included on Timorese CVs, particularly for domestic and government applications. For international organisation portal submissions, follow the application instructions, which typically do not require a photo.

Education

List qualifications in reverse chronological order. The main local institutions are the Universidade Nacional Timor Lorosa'e (UNTL), the country's main public university offering degrees in law, education, agriculture, engineering, and medicine, and the Universidade da Paz (UNPAZ), a well-established private university in Dili. The Instituto Nacional de Administração Pública (INAP) provides training for civil servants. Many Timorese professionals hold degrees from Universidade de Lisboa, University of the Philippines (UP), Australian National University (ANU), University of Queensland, and Universidade de Coimbra, all reflecting historical ties and scholarship programmes.

Include the institution name, degree, field of study, and year of completion. Both Portuguese and English transliterations of qualifications should be included in bilingual CVs.

Work Experience

List employment in reverse chronological order. For each role, include the employer name, job title, employment dates, and three to five bullet points of responsibilities and achievements. For development sector roles, state the project name, donor, and your specific scope.

Employers recognised in Timor-Leste include the Government of Timor-Leste (various ministries and the Civil Service Commission), Banco Nacional Ultramarino (BNU), Mandiri Bank Timor-Leste, Timor Telecom, Telemor, UNDP Timor-Leste, UNICEF Timor-Leste, ILO Timor-Leste, World Bank Timor-Leste, Asian Development Bank Timor-Leste, Mercy Corps Timor-Leste, and Oxfam Timor-Leste. In the oil sector, ConocoPhillips has been a major operator in the Timor Sea.

Key Sectors

Petroleum and natural gas revenues dominate the economy, managed through the Petroleum Fund of Timor-Leste, which is among the largest sovereign wealth funds in Asia relative to GDP. Agriculture employs the majority of the population, with coffee as the main export crop. The international development sector in Dili is the primary employer of professionally qualified Timorese nationals. Tourism is in early development but growing.

Skills and Certifications

List language skills clearly: Tetum, Portuguese, and English are the core professional combination; Indonesian and Bahasa Melayu are practical assets given geographic proximity. For development sector roles, M&E methodology skills, familiarity with UN or USAID reporting frameworks, and project management certifications (PMP) are specifically valued. For public financial management, World Bank-aligned qualifications and IPSAS (International Public Sector Accounting Standards) knowledge are relevant for government roles.

Cover Letter

A cover letter is expected for professional applications in Timor-Leste, in the language matching the application (English for international organisations, Portuguese for government roles). One page is sufficient. Address it to the hiring manager by name where possible.

Common CV Mistakes in Timor-Leste

• Wrong language: Submitting an English CV to a government ministry that requires Portuguese signals inadequate preparation.
• No project detail for development roles: Specify project name, donor, scope, and your specific contribution; generic descriptions do not differentiate candidates.
• Omitting language proficiency levels: Be precise: "Portuguese — C1 (fluent)" is more informative than "speaks Portuguese."
• Missing authenticity declaration: Expected for government and many formal applications; include it as standard.
• Outdated contact information: Ensure phone number includes the correct country code (+670) for international applications.