Senior Consultant

Maun Adérito, as is generally known, is a senior legal professional in Timor-Leste with a career spanning for close to 30 years. Adérito has acted as pro bono human rights lawyer during Indonesia occupation, served as a member of the Constituent Assembly with the task to support the writing of the Timorese Constitution, was the first Commissioner of the Timorese Anti-Corruption Commission and has also served as consultant in Timor-Leste and abroad.

Adérito is currently concluding a PhD at ANU University and has a Masters Degree in Law from NYU School. 

Legal Specialist

Viriato Seac has held legal advisory positions for close to 10 years in key public institutions, including the Ministry of Finance, Customs Authority, business registration and state administration. Viriato has expert knowledge on Timor-Leste public finance, procurement and customs legal framework. Viriato also has experience in drafting legislation (primary and secondary legislation) and has also held a number of position in oversight and coordination public bodies, including the civil society representative in the Industry Transparency Initiative (EITI). Viriato holds a Masters in Administrative Law and a Law Degree, having also an information science undergraduate degree. Prior to his legal career, Mr. Seac was advocacy, research and public information officer with national NGOs working in the justice and development sector, having also experience as newspaper editor.

Gender and Social Inclusion Expert

Ana Paula Sequeira, natural from Oecusse in Timor-Leste is a senior professional with close to 20 years of experience in the area of gender equality, child protection and social inclusion.

Ana Paula has experience with child protection, gender equality and social inclusion. Ana Paula professional career includes research, policy development, monitoring, capacity strengthening  of civil servants and NGO officials, project management as well as gender based violence victim support. Ana Paula has experience working with highest levels of government, UN agencies and local NGOs.

Ana Paula has a graduate degree from University of Hawaii. 

Legal and Programme Associate

Graziela da Cruz (Getty) is a Timorese jurist with a Masters in International Law and Diplomacy. Getty has worked in a number of areas related to human rights, gender and good governance. Getty has served as a national investigator of the gender team of the Serious Crimes Investigation Team of UNMIT, in charge of investigating human rights violations during Indonesian occupation in Timor-Leste. Getty has also undertaken assignments in the areas of freedom of information and social auditing. Getty's first professional contact with the legal system in Timor-Leste was during an assignment as outreach officer in JSMP, a recognized national NGO working in monitoring the justice sector. Getty was then promoted to Outreach Coordinator, a clear evidence of her professionalism and skills. Gety is fluent in Tetum, English, Portuguese and Indonesian. 

Human Rights Specialist

Horácio de Almeida is a senior Timorese human rights professional with decades of experience. Most notably Horácio has served as Deputy Ombudsperson for Human Rights and Justice from 2015 to 2019. The Ombudsperson for Human Rights and Justice is the Timor-Leste National Human Rights Institution with “A” status. Horácio when joining this high-level position brought with him years of experience as human rights monitor, transitional justice officer and trainer under different UN mandates in the country. Horácio has also contributed to the truth and reconciliation process by providing technical support to the Commission for Reception, Truth and Reconciliation on  (CAVR) and has served as University law lecturer. Horácio is originally from Viqueque and was also involved in the Resistance Student Movement for Timor-Leste Liberation while studying in Indonesia.

Social Assistance and Victim Support Officer

Rosi de Sousa is a well-known women rights professional in Timor-Leste, with career spanning for about 30 years. Rosi has long-term experience in supporting victims of gender based violence and child abuse to promote their welfare and provide invaluable psychosocial support to victims.

Rosi has been an engaged women rights activist since before restoration of independence.

Rosi is an expert trainer and in recent years have supported gender mainstreaming and sexual education in the new curriculum for basic schooling. 

Rosi is a qualified nutritionist and holds a degree on public health.

Communication Assistant

Martinho Moniz has experience as a junior journalist for Tafara, has served as communication officer for a number of youth groups and local NGOs and was member of Timor-Leste youth Parliament for the period 20XX to 20XX.

Martinho is currently concluding his undergraduate in Social Sciences at the University of Timor Lorosa'e. Martinho is a trainer for courses on administration and finance and has also experience in developing database and conducting research and surveys.

Legal Professional - Portugal

Sara is a legal professional with almost 20 years of experience and specific expertise in the areas of administrative law/good governance, mediation and conciliation, as well as human rights. 

Sara has extensive legal experience in Guinea-Bissau, Portugal and Timor-Leste. She has provided legal advice, training and capacity building support to National Human Rights Institutions, national and international NGOs, public institutions, Universities and UN agencies. 

Sara is fluent in Tetum and Creole (Guinea-Bissau), in addition to English and Portuguese (her native language). 

Sara is also a certified coach and she provides coaching support to professionals working in international development environment.

Legal Researcher - Portugal

Rita Páscoa dos Santos has eight years of work experience in the areas of human rights and international protection. Rita has worked in Belgium, Switzerland, Portugal, Guinea-Bissau and Timor-Leste, where she developed her skills in conducting legal research, providing legal advice, organising and providing training to diverse audiences, as well as in the development of capacity-building tools.

Rita holds a Master's Degree in Human Rights and Democratisation and a Law Degree by the University of Coimbra, Portugal. 

Rita is fluent in Portuguese, Tetun, English and Italian and has working knowledge of French. 

Legal Professional - Australia/Belgium

Ruth Hugo is a legal professional with more than 20 years of experience in the area of international human rights and access to justice.

Ruth has worked with United Nations Peacekeeping missions, UN agencies, bilateral donors and international non-governmental organizations in Cambodia, Timor-Leste, Liberia and Nepal, as well as short-term assignments in Tonga and related to the West Bank.

In Timor-Leste, in recent years Ruth has specialized in curriculum and policy development of security forces as well as capacity development of the NHRI/Ombudsman on investigations.

Ruth has a Law degree from and a Masters of Law and a Master of Political Science and International Relations from Belgium

Ruth is fluent in English, French and Dutch, working proficiency in Tetum and understanding of Portuguese, Spanish, Italian and Khmer.

Prosecution and Child Rights Expert - Brazil

Antonio has a diverse experience in the legal and education sector. A career prosecutor for more than 20 years, with experience in corruption and child protection, Antonio has a strong background in social areas, including child rights and education. Antonio has international experience in intergovernmental organizations working in Timor-Leste and Honduras. Antonio's list of publications, membership of collective bodies in the justice sector evidence the quality of his work and his personal commitment. Interestingly, Antonio was a career teacher in the public school system of Brazil before moving to his legal career.

Judge - Brazil

Sandra is an experienced Judge, with more than 25 years of experience, who has been instrumental in promoting human rights guarantees of prisoners, women, children and indigenous population in the Northern area of Brazil. 

Sandra has been nominated as a judge in the Corregedoria of the National Justice Council of Brazil, a constitutionally provided judicial body for the promotion and strengthening of the independence of the judiciary,  legal reform and access to justice.

Sandra has also experience in lecturing at University level as well in judicial preparation courses. Sandra has served as international judge in Timor-Leste and has supported a number of initiatives promoted by UN agencies and civil society organisations. Sandra has a Masters in Human Rights and is currently pursing her PhD in public policy.

Sandra's involvement with JU,S is of a pro bono nature.