“Working with an organisation that has a mission to transform children’s lives is immensely fulfilling,” says Plan Timor-Leste’s Country Programme Director, Susan Smandych. 

 

Susan joined Plan’s Timor-Leste office in August 2009 following many rewarding years working for Plan in countries worldwide. Her previous position as Global Project Manager at Plan’s International Headquarters in the UK saw her spearhead the digitisation of Plan’s child sponsorship systems and processes. 

 

Prior to this, she was a consultant for Plan in Kenya and Ghana, where she was inspired by the dedication and innovation of Plan staff, and their passionate commitment to improving the lives of children. 

 

Susan looks forward to being based in Asia and to working closely with the Plan Timor-Leste staff and communities to achieve the Country Strategic Plan and to launching the new sponsorship funding system. 

 

Susan’s academic achievements include a Masters in Development Studies from the University of London (where she researched non-governmental organisation accountability to rights-holders in the context of the rights-based approach to development), and a Bachelors in Engineering Chemistry from Queen’s University, Canada.   

• Fernando Araujo – Advocacy and Government Relations
• Gashaw Dragnew – Resource Mobilisation Manager
  
• Basilio Nascimento – Lautem District Coordinator
• Emilita da Cruz – Aileu District Coordinator
• Jill Haynes – Program Manager
• Vida Bautista – Operations Manager
• Jose Mesquita – Organisation Development Manager