Protocol and Visits Officer

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

**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**

Under general direction, the Protocol and Visits Officer is required to coordinate high-level visits to France and travel to non-accredited countries as required.

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

- Provide the Embassy, the Australian Delegation to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the Australian Delegation to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) with high level coordination of official visits.
- Assist in the preparation of programs for official visitors, including the coordination of transport, airport, and train station arrangements.
- Develop and maintain contacts with relevant French Departments, Ministries, and private organisations within France and countries of non-resident accreditation.
- Provide limited interpretation and translation duties to Ambassador and senior visitors, as required.
- Provide advice and support to the Protocol & Visits Manager in identifying opportunities for appropriate engagement and networking opportunities within regional and Paris-based governments.
- Provide advice on protocol matters.
- Act as a point of contact and provide advice and assistance to Australia-based (A-based) officers on protocol matters, issue of diplomatic ID cards, and arrival and departure procedures.
- Help facilitate official travel within France and to countries of non-resident accreditation by Ambassador, senior A-based staff, and VIPs.
- Provide back-up for the Protocol & Visits Manager as required.

**General Requirements**
- Demonstrated ability and experience in the development and preparation of programs for senior visitors.
- Demonstrated ability and experience in establishing contacts and liaising with relevant French Government Departments, Ministries, and private organisations to assist in the preparation of visits. A working knowledge of the French Government ministerial and departmental organisation and familiarity with protocol matters highly desirable.
- Ability and experience to undertake research and provide advice to management.
- Capacity to work within a small team and meet tight time frames.
- Possess communication and organisational skills of a high order.

**Selection Criteria**

In your written statements, you must include relevant high-level examples from your experience that support your claims against the role. The word limit is strictly 250 words per response to each of the selection criteria. The panel will not assess responses which exceed the word limit. Applications can be submitted in English or French, but at least one of your responses should be in the other language.

A. Previous experience working and communicating with high level Ministers and / or Senior Government Officials, and knowledge of appropriate protocols.

B. Demonstrated ability to undertake independent research, then present findings to senior management in an appropriate manner.

C. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills in English and French (oral and written) with the ability to liaise, negotiate with influence and build beneficial networks that deliver results within the organisation and externally.

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

We are looking for a Protocol and Visits Officer to coordinate high-level visits to France.