The Australian High Commission invites applications for the following positions.
Note that applicants must be fluent in both English and French (written and spoken)
____________________________________________________________________
RESEARCH AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER
Duties and responsibilities
• Conduct research and analysis on economic, political and foreign policy issues of interest to the Australian Government using publicly available resources.
• Monitor French-language media on a daily basis and identify issues of interest to the Australian Government. Prepare daily media summary.
• Support Australia-based officers in discussions with other governments or private industry contacts, when required. This may require occasional travel to the High Commission’s countries of accreditation outside Ghana (Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Sierra Leone, Senegal and Togo).
• Manage and prepare correspondence.
• Assist with programs for visits to the High Commission’s countries of accreditation.
• Seek opportunities to highlight Australia’s activities to raise Australia’s profile in West Africa through print, radio and television media outlets.
• Produce high quality promotional materials for the High Commission, including website and Facebook updates as well as media releases and other material as required.
• Manage the High Commission’s social media presence.
• Maintain a network of contacts to support the High Commission’s research work and public diplomacy agenda, including in government, research institutions and non-governmental organisations.
• Represent the High Commission at conferences, seminars and other representational events as required, and produce reports on these events, as directed.
Selection Criteria
• Tertiary degree in politics, economics, social science, journalism or a related field. Demonstrated high-level ability to conduct research using the internet and other open-source materials, to analyse the gathered material and use it to produce high-quality written reports. Experience in identifying opportunities to raise an organisation’s public profile, including through print media, radio, television and internet.
• Demonstrated advanced ability to communicate effectively in French and English, both orally and in writing.
• Strong understanding of West African economic and trade policy, domestic politics and foreign policy, and legislative processes, particularly in Francophone countries. Knowledge of Australian foreign policy an advantage.
• High-level organisational and coordination skills: ability to prioritise, meet deadlines and contribute effectively to work objectives, pro-actively identify issues of relevance, anticipate problems and suggest solutions.
• Familiarity with basic web design and publishing, Facebook, and other social media tools. Knowledge of the media environment in Ghana and the High Commission’s other countries of accreditation.
• Strong interpersonal skills: a proven ability to work both autonomously and collaboratively within a team. Ability to conduct business effectively with a range of clients, including senior representatives in the public and private sectors. The Australian High Commission operates in a fluid and fast paced environment and needs maximum flexibility in its staff.
_______________________________________________________________
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO HEAD OF MISSION
Duties and responsibilities
• Manage appointment and transport schedule for Head of Mission.
• Assist with arrangements for the Head of Mission’s travel in the region, including liaison in French and English with the offices of ministers and senior government officials.
• Manage the Head of Mission’s correspondence.
• Translate official documents into French when required.
• Maintain and extend a network of contacts to support the Head of Mission’s work.
• Assist in arranging major social functions for the High Commission, including large-scale events for several hundred people (eg. Australia Day). Prepare acquittal documentation for official events hosted by the Head of Mission.
• Support the High Commission at official events, as directed.
Selection Criteria
• At least three years’ experience working as an executive assistant. Tertiary degree in any field desirable.
• Demonstrated advanced ability to communicate in English and French effectively, both orally and in writing, including the ability to make effective and persuasive representations, secure appointments etc. Demonstrated competence in a variety of written styles such as formal letters and diplomatic notes, e-mails and visits programs.
• High-level organisational and coordination skills (prioritise, meet deadlines and contribute effectively to work objectives), pro-actively identify issues of relevance, anticipate problems and suggest solutions.
• Strong interpersonal skills and a proven ability to work both autonomously and collaboratively within a team. Ability to conduct business effectively with a range of clients, including senior representatives in the public and private sectors. Willingness to undertake other duties as directed. The Australian High Commission operates in a fluid and fast paced environment and needs maximum flexibility in its staff.
_______________________________________________________________
VISITS AND EVENTS COORDINATOR
Duties and responsibilities
• Manage all aspects of official travel by High Commission staff and for official visitors in Ghana and all countries of acceditation, including, as appropriate, flight and hotel reservations, car hire, and program appointments. In consultation with other staff, assemble a briefing pack and exercise good judgement about priority meetings in the context of Australia’s foreign policy priorities. Ensure official travel is entered into staff leave planner.
• Coordinate the organisation of events and functions for the High Commission including those for several hundred people (e.g. Australia Day). Prepare budgets, manage invitation lists, liaise and negotiate with service providers. Manage events as directed, including coordination of event set-up, provision of services during the event, and event clean-up. Support the High Commission at official events, as directed.
• Manage the High Commission’s database of key contacts (data entry and quality control); use the database for developing invitation lists for events, and tracking responses.
• Contribute to contingency planning in response to natural disasters and other developments, for all countries of accreditation
• Other duties as directed. The Australian High Commission operates in a fluid and fast paced environment and needs maximum flexibility in its staff.
Selection Criteria
• Tertiary degree in Social Science, Humanities, International Relations or a similar field. Demonstrated advanced ability to communicate in English and French fluently and effectively, both orally and in writing.
• High-level organisational and coordination skills. Prioritise, meet deadlines and contribute effectively to work objectives, pro-actively identify issues of relevance, anticipate problems and suggest solutions.
• Experience in managing or coordinating events and functions, including preparation of budgets, liaising and negotiating with service providers prior to the event, managing all aspects of the event on the day.
• Demonstrated computer skills, (Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint) and database management experience.
• Strong interpersonal skills and a proven ability to work both autonomously and collaboratively within a team. Ability to conduct business effectively with a range of clients, including senior representatives in the public and private sectors. Willingness to undertake other duties as directed. The Australian High Commission operates in a fluid and fast paced environment and needs maximum flexibility in its staff.
____________________________________________________________________
How to apply
Interested applicants should respond in writing with a short covering letter and a statement addressing their claims against the selection criteria for the position they are applying for, including specific examples of demonstrated experience. Applications should be accompanied by a CV and copies of academic qualifications. Applicants must also provide contact details for two professional referees. Applications must not be longer than four (4) pages, including covering letter. If longer applications are submitted only the first four pages will be considered.
Attractive remuneration packages will be offered to the successful applicants of each position. Hours of work and other conditions will be outlined during interview. Suitably qualified applicants may be offered a future position with the High Commission over the following twelve months.
Applicants are invited to apply by email to [email protected], specifying which position/s they are applying for. Separate applications are required for each position. Hardcopy applications will not be accepted. The closing date for applications is 5pm Wednesday 23rd July 2014. Only shortlisted applicants will be notified.