Media, Events and Public Diplomacy Officer

The successful applicant will be engaged as a locally engaged staff member by the Australian Embassy, Paris._ _

Unsuccessful applicants may be considered for future employment opportunities, including short-term or casual positions.

**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 Media, Events and Public Diplomacy Officer plays a key role in promoting Australia through media engagement, event management, public diplomacy and cultural outreach. Part of a small and busy public affairs team, the officer reports to the Public Diplomacy Manager. Out of hours work and travel may be required at times.

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

- Plan, develop and implement a coordinated public diplomacy strategy to increase public understanding of the broad range of Australian engagement in France. This will include designing and delivering a calendar of events and activities to support this agenda.
- Provide high-level advice to post management and attached agency heads to identify opportunities and issues relevant to the public diplomacy agenda, media engagement and strategic policy issues.
- Represent and promote Australia’s strategic interests at a range of forums, events and meetings and provide advice on Australian participation, operational and policy issues and prepare reports summarising key points.
- Manage, plan and coordinate a range of events and initiatives in France that have a public diplomacy objective, including managing the delivery of multiple concurrent events, coordinating stakeholders, speakers and other logístical arrangements such as guest lists, catering, entertainment and technical support.
- Develop high-level reports, speeches and briefings on the Embassy’s cultural programs, public diplomacy initiatives and events, and monitor and report on broad developments in both the Australian and French cultural sectors.
- Manage and develop media releases, speeches, organise media interviews and press briefing and manage and coordinate appropriate media activities including during high-level official visits.
- Contribute to the development of projects under the Cultural Initiative, launched as part of the Australia-France Bilateral Roadmap and see them through to their successful conclusion.
- Analyse, manipulate and present data, such as on social media engagement and managing event-related software such as Salesforce, drawing conclusions and preparing evaluations to support public diplomacy objectives.
- Manage procurement in a timely way which is consistent with departmental and legal requirements.
- Maintain budgets, report on expenditures and reconcile payments relating to Embassy events and projects.
- Ensure the comprehensive monitoring of domestic media and preparation of accurate, timely and relevant daily media reviews.
- Establish and maintain key media contacts.

**Qualifications/Experience**
- Demonstrated organisational and management experience in a busy fast-paced environment, including the ability to handle multiple tasks and prioritise effectively.
- Previous experience in one of the following fields: arts and culture, media, public relations or event management.
- Excellent organisational skills with experience in the successful delivery of event and budget management.
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a team environment with flexibility and to consult with internal and external stakeholders.
- Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to liaise with government representatives and develop and maintain a wide variety of relevant contacts.
- Demonstrated ability to think strategically and develop written strategy documents.
- Fluency in French and a high-level of written and oral English is essential. Capacity to draft official documents and correspondence in French and English.
- Demonstrated experience presenting complex information in a variety of ways such as writing, graphics, video.
- Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Suite, familiarity with common layout and design tools, including Canva and familiarity with contact management systems including Salesforce.
- Thorough knowledge of France and its political and bureaucratic system with some understanding of Australia and its interests in France.

**Desirable**
- Tertiary qualifications or comparable level experience in a relevant discipline.

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