Northern's Ireland former Police Ombudsman Dame Nuala O'Loan is to serve as a special Irish government envoy in East Timor.
Nuala O'Loan was made a dame in December
Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Dermot Ahern made the announcement in the south-east Asian country on Wednesday.
Mr Ahern is promoting the Irish government's Conflict Resolution Unit, which will send ambassadors to trouble spots around the world.
Dame Nuala stepped down as ombudsman in November after seven years in the post.