CXDU DFATLE4 Public Affairs and Administration Officer

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) section of the Australian Consulate-General Chengdu is seeking applications for the locally engaged staff position of Public Affairs and Administration Officer. 

About the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) 

The role of 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.  

DFAT 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 Public Affairs and Administration Officer coordinates public and economic diplomacy events and programs across the consular district.  The position oversees social media output and alumni engagement.  The position is also responsible for implementation and assessment of Australia’s Direct Aid Program in the consular district. This position acts as back-up Executive Assistant to the Consul-General, as required. 

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

• Provide high level advice on the development and content of the Embassy’s social media strategy, online content, media engagement and social media for the Consulate’s overall advocacy programs and Public Diplomacy projects. 

• Manage, plan and deliver the Consulate’s public and economic diplomacy events including the delivery of multiple concurrent events, coordinating stakeholders, speakers and other logistical arrangements such as guest lists, catering, entertainment and technical support.  

• Lead, manage and develop social medica policy and maintain and update post’s website, in consultation with Canberra and other China posts.  Plan and create content for Australian Government social media accounts in China, including through video production and editing.  

• Manage and coordinate the Consulate’s public affairs engagement and implementation of creative social media campaigns to advance Australia’s interests and strengthen engagement with key opinion leaders in southwest China. 

• Develop, maintain and strengthen strategic relationships, negotiate and liaise across a broad range of stakeholders including in government, media, and non-governmental organisations. 

• Manage engagement with alumni of Australian schools and universities across the consular district, including managing the delivery of multiple concurrent events, coordinating guest lists, speakers, and overseeing event set up, and identifying and taking forward representational opportunities to bring alumni together. 

• Represent and promote the interests of Australian at a range of forums, events and meetings and provide advice on Australian participation, operational and policy issues 

• Assist with the management of Australia’s Direct Aid Program (DAP) in southwest China, including by assessing applications as part of an Embassy-managed committee and by monitoring DAP projects. 

• Provide administrative and translator services to Australian-based officers including preparing correspondence, drafting third person notes, financial acquittals, travel booking support, translating documentation and arranging meetings and appointments with a variety of stakeholders.  

• Perform other duties and back up to assist with Consulate priorities as required. 

Qualifications/Experience 

• Excellent oral and written communication skills in both English and Mandarin, including an ability to communicate with flair and accuracy on social media platforms. 

• Experience organising public activities and programs, including managing complex events, preparing promotional materials, negotiation and liaison with service providers and relevant organisations. 

• Experience liaising with other organisations and officials, such as Australian or Chinese agencies and partners. 

• Experience producing high quality video and audio content for social media. 

• High level of initiative and ability to work well in a team, including the flexibility to back-up other team members when required. 

• Ability to solve problems, be flexible and adapt to new tasks and situations across different areas of both the Consulate and southwest China. 

• Good interpersonal skills, including the ability to cooperate well with colleagues and external stakeholders. 

• Demonstrated capability to learn and apply relevant Australian government and Chinese government regulations and guidelines. 

• Demonstrated competency in the use of the Microsoft Office suite. 

• Ability to prioritise work in consultation with management. 

• Attention to detail. 

Additional information 

The position is initially for a period of 36 months and a probation period will apply.  The successful applicant may be offered a further contract.  The successful applicant is required to complete relevant pre-employment procedures, such as health and background vetting, before commencement. 

Applications are invited from both Chinese and Australian nationals. If the successful candidate is an Australian citizen, they will be responsible for their own transfer and ongoing costs associated with working in China.  If necessary, the Consulate-General will provide a letter to assist in obtaining an appropriate work visa for China. Australian national employees will receive a salary loading in lieu of local benefits they are not eligible to receive. 

A merit list, valid for 18 months, will be established for this position.  The merit list may be used for other positions of the same level and similar capabilities. 

How to Apply 

Submit an application via email to [email protected] by 5.00pm, Monday 18 December 2023.  Applications received after the closing date and time may not be considered.  The subject line of your email should include the Position Number and Position Title you are applying for. 

Your application, written in English, should include: 

• Completed ‘Application for Locally Engaged Staff Employment’.  See Attachment A. 

• Your application pitch (maximum 500 words).  See Attachment B. 

• Curriculum Vitae (maximum 2 pages). 

Applications must be in either Microsoft Word or PDF format, with a maximum email size of 3MB. 

For inquiries regarding this position, please contact the Human Resources section at [email protected]. 

Please note that due to the large volume of applications received, we are unable to respond to each applicant.  We endeavour to respond to applicants of interest within a period of four weeks from the application closing date.  If you are not requested to attend an interview, please consider your application unsuccessful. 

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Writing an Application Pitch 

Your application pitch is a chance to tell us why you are the right person for the job.  We want to know why you are interested in the role, what you can offer us, and how your skills, knowledge, experience and qualifications are applicable to the role. 

Your pitch is a marketing document, promoting how you are a strong candidate for the opportunity on offer.  This means you should: 

• Research the opportunity: read the position description, key responsibilities, and required qualifications and experience carefully; and research the department and its role. 

• Know what you have to offer that is relevant: identify your relevant skills, knowledge, experience, qualities; map your relationships with colleagues, clients, and stakeholders to identify what experience is relevant; select examples that demonstrate relevant experience using your skills and knowledge, ones that are of a level of complexity to match the position you are pitching for. 

• Make a persuasive case that what you have to offer will enable you to contribute, add value and deliver results. 

You do not need to use a different example to demonstrate each of the skills required in the position overview.  For example, if the position description states we are looking for a confident communicator, the ability to problem solve and work as part of a team, you could use one example that demonstrates all of these skills.  You could then use another example that demonstrates the other skills required. 

Try not to duplicate information that can already be found in your curriculum vitae but do highlight any specific examples or achievements that will demonstrate your ability to perform the role. 

Try the three-part format as a way to organise your material: 

1. General statement about the criterion 

1. Specific example/s to support the criterion 

1. Link to job on offer 

Consider using the STAR method when detailing your examples.  The STAR method enables the selection committee to determine the context of the situation, what the task was and what actions you took to achieve a result.