Jesuína Maria FERREIRA GOMES currently serves as Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste. She brings over two decades of distinguished service in public administration, governance, and human rights at both national and international levels.
Prior to her current appointment, she served as Chief of Staff to the President of the Republic and as Chairperson of the Ombudsman for Human Rights and Justice, where she played a pivotal role in strengthening accountability, promoting good governance, and safeguarding citizens’ rights. Her earlier roles include Deputy Ombudsman, Commissioner of the Civil Service Commission, and Inspector General at the Ministry of State Administration and Territorial Management, contributing significantly to civil service reform and institutional capacity-building in Timor-Leste.
In addition to her government service, she has an academic background as a lecturer at the National University of Timor-Leste, specializing in public administration, governance, and organizational management. She has also contributed to international development programs through her work with organizations such as AusAID, USAID, and the United States Peace Corps.
She holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa and a Bachelor’s degree in Governmental Science from the Institute of Governmental Studies in Jakarta, Indonesia. She is fluent in Tetum, English, and Indonesian, with working proficiency in Portuguese.
In recognition of her service, she was awarded the Order of Timor-Leste (Collar Degree) in 2023. She continues to actively represent Timor-Leste in regional and international forums, advancing the country’s diplomatic engagement, human rights agenda, and commitment to peace, cooperation, and sustainable development.