Policy Officer

The successful applicant will be engaged as a locally engaged staff member by the Australian Embassy, Paris and must be in possession of a valid authorisation of work for France, or be able to obtain one on their own._ _

**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 Officer under limited guidance advances DFAT’s policy interests and enhances relationships with the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and its member states; influences the OECD’s work program, in a way that promotes Australia’s interests; and helps to shape Australia’s policy and programs. It supports the Counsellor (Development) in planning, management and implementation of the Embassy’s objectives.

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

- Acting as the Embassy’s focal point on a range of thematic issues in the OECD Delegation related to the OECD Development Assistance Committee and its subsidiary bodies, the OECD Development Strategy and other OECD work streams as required.
- Representing and advocating Australia’s positions at meetings of the OECD and other international and bilateral organisations and reporting on outcomes.
- Providing targeted policy advice and recommending policy positions to teams in Canberra and other members of the Delegation.
- Developing briefing and policy positions in liaison with Counsellor, Deputy Head of Mission and teams in Canberra.
- Undertaking travel to attend meetings and workshops hosted by OECD and other multilateral and bilateral organisations within Europe.
- Anticipating future opportunities or potential problems around policy issues and raising awareness accordingly and managing problems as they arise.
- Undertaking research and analysing information from various sources to influence Australia’s policy.
- Providing support for high level visits from Canberra.
- Providing French-English translation as required.

**Qualifications/Experience**
- Understanding of key economic, political, social and cultural issues in foreign affairs and international development.
- Understanding of the OECD’s policy work and demonstrated ability to provide advice to support DFAT’s objectives in the OECD.
- Superior communication skills, including written and oral communication in English, with demonstrated ability to represent Australia and its policy interests in international and multilateral forums and other meetings and with high-level stakeholders.
- Skills and experience undertaking research and analysis.
- Ability to identify issues, risks, opportunities and reporting needs and to provide strategic policy advice.
- Ability to plan, set priorities and work with limited supervision and meet tight deadlines.
- Ability to provide judgement, flexibility, collegiality and responsiveness.
- Excellent English and good working French.

**Security Requirements**
- The holder of this position must be eligible for, and able to retain, a security clearance issued by the Embassy. To be eligible, applicants must be Australian citizens. Citizens of Canada, New Zealand, the UK or the US may be eligible and are also invited to apply. Due to security clearance requirements, applicants with dual French nationality with one of the above citizens would not meet eligibilty requirements.

**Selection Criteria**

Please ensure you provide a response to each of the listed selection criteria below. In your response, you must include relevant high-level examples from your experience that support your claims against the role.

A. Ability to undertake comprehensive research and provide analysis on international trade and development affecting Australia’s interests in the OECD.

B. High-level understanding of OECD’s policy work and a demonstrated ability to provide analysis, advice and recommendations, presenting report to a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders

C. Well-developed written, oral and interpersonal communication skills in English and French.

D. Demonstrated ability to network and develop and nurture relationships across a broad range of internal and external stakeholders.

E. Well-developed planning and organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities and achieve required outcomes with tight deadlines with limited supervision.

The Australian Embassy, Paris is looking for a Policy Officer to join t