Contract: Ongoing

Contract hours: Full-time

 

About the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

The role of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is to advance the interests of Australia and Australians internationally. This involves strengthening Australia’s security, enhancing Australia’s prosperity, delivering an effective and high quality overseas aid program and helping Australian travellers and Australians overseas.

The department provides foreign, trade and development policy advice to the Australian Government. DFAT also works with other Australian government agencies to drive coordination of Australia’s pursuit of global, regional and bilateral interests.

About the Position

The Policy & Research Officer works as part of a small team to pursue Australian Government priorities in Portugal and the three countries of non-resident accreditation, Cabo Verde, Guinea-Bissau and Sao Tome and Principe. Working under the direction of the Ambassador, this position performs research and analysis, drafts reports and monitors local media.  The position also undertakes public diplomacy and Direct Aid Program activities and delivers corporate enabling services to support the operation of the Australian Embassy in Lisbon.

The key responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to:

• Undertake research, analysis, briefing and reporting on issues relevant to Australia’s bilateral relationships with Portugal, the EU and countries of accreditation, including foreign policy and economic developments.
• Monitor Portuguese and English-language media sources for relevant issues and report on key developments.
• Accompany the Ambassador to official meetings and events, take notes and summarise outcomes for reporting purposes and provide Portuguese translating services as required.
• Draft reports, talking points for speeches and other policy products as required.
• Establish and maintain an effective network with a broad range of working-level contacts, including local government officials, international organisations, business, other diplomatic missions, academic institutions, NGOs, Australian Government agencies and the public.
• Assist with program preparation and provide logistical support for visiting Australian ministers and senior officials as required.
• In consultation with the Deputy Head of Mission, coordinate the Embassy’s annual Direct Aid Program, including promoting the program in the three countries of non-resident accreditation, assessing applications, distributing funds, processing acquittals and ensuring the strategy and risk management procedures are adhered to.
• Support implementation of the Embassy’s Social Media Strategy and draft content to drive engagement and promote Australia’s interests.
• Perform general corporate enabling services to support the operation of the Embassy including reception duties, greeting visitors and responding to general enquiries from the public and liaison with passport and consular clients.
• Provide backup support to the Ambassador’s Executive Assistant and Translator, including managing the Ambassador’s diary and translating documents between English and Portuguese as required.
• Drive the Ambassador, other Embassy staff, officials and visitors as required.

Qualifications/Experience

• Ability to contribute effectively as a member of a small team, including proven initiative, cooperation, flexibility and reliability.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and Portuguese and a demonstrated ability to draft high-quality written reports in English and Portuguese
• A solid understanding of the Portuguese political and economic environment, including an awareness of current affairs, EU and international affairs.
• Sound research and analytical skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and an ability to develop productive working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Capacity to exercise discretion and judgement.
• Experience using social media, preferably in a professional context, including an ability to draft social media posts in English and Portuguese.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office products is required.
• Holder of a valid driving license for at least 5 years and proven safety record.

Other

• Willingness and availability for: occasional work out of hours, including early mornings and occasional weekends (over-time provisions apply); occasional travel throughout Portugal on business days; occasional travel to countries of accreditation (Cabo Verde, São Tomé & Príncipe and Guinea-Bissau).

 

SELECTION CRITERIA

Please address each of the selection criteria for the role in the spaces provided on the application form.  Drawing on your prior experience, please provide examples of where you have demonstrated the required competencies or transferable skills. 

The word limit is strictly 250 words per response.  The panel will not assess responses that exceed the word limit.

 

A. Demonstrated knowledge on a wide range of political, economic, social and global issues in Portugal, the EU, and other countries relevant to Australia’s interests. Ability to analyse this research and to present findings to senior management in an appropriate manner.

 

B. Ability to take initiative, set priorities and organise work effectively and efficiently, and to complete projects and assignments with limited supervision.

 

C. Excellent interpersonal and stakeholder management skills, including experience working with senior level officials, executives, and stakeholders. The ability to build relationships for influence and to develop networks that deliver results.

 

D. Well-developed written and oral communication skills in both English and Portuguese, with the ability to translate and interpret specialised political and economic texts and advise at official meetings.

 

E. Excellent team-working and adaptable to provide support as needed, including driving duties, organising events, and basic administrative tasks. Ability to be flexible to changing priorities and needs on a small team.