Madalena has committed her career to the development of Timor-Leste. She recognises the importance of delivering programs and services that improve the health and education of the people of Timor-Leste.
Her career has taken her from nursing to public policy roles, and more recently, she has developed a private consultancy company, DIACEMY LDA to provide public policy, advocacy on nutrition, and clinical services in Palliative Care. Within this consultancy, she has delivered support on the development of standards and protocols, training for the health care professionals to improve their skills in the quality of care and work as well to United Nations (WFP) developing standards and protocols on the nutrition program for Maternal and Child Health (MCH) including school Feeding program to Minister of Education.
Madalena Costa Sores began her career as a nurse in Timor-Leste in 1985, working her way up swiftly from clinical nursing roles to Nurse Educator roles, and became the Director of Nursing Academy in Timor-Leste in 1996. During the political turmoil in Timor-Leste, she worked in advisory and coordinator roles for the ICRC and AMI France to assist with the transition of government and upgrading of health systems and qualifications.
After completing further nursing qualifications at the Australian Catholic University in 2004, She returned to Timor-Leste to work as Manager of Quality Control at the Ministry of Health National Hospital and worked as a lecturer at both Dili University and the National University.
Moving in policy roles saw Madelena working with the United Nations World Food Program, and then as Vice Minister of Health for Timor-Leste. Her career then saw her working as
After completing her Master of Public Policy at CDU in 2012, she went on to work as the Vice Chairman of the Executive Board to the World Health Organisation, then-Deputy National Authorising Officer at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation. In her most recent roles, she is working as a Policy Advisor to the World Food Program and is the Directory of DIACEMY LDA Company.
Madalena has shown a lifelong dedication to improving health care outcomes for quality of life, and in helping people achieve their full potential. In 2018, she was elected as President of Timor-Leste Red Cross for a 4-year tenure and is proud to continue her work of serving her country and people, especially the most vulnerable people.