DAFF Research and Program Officer PD

 

AGENCY	Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
TITLE	Research and Program Officer
CLASSIFICATION	LES 4
SECTION	Agriculture
REPORTS TO	Counsellor Agriculture
SALARY	CLP 2,144,662 per month Plus CLP 188,325 meal/transport allowance
AUTHORISED TO	Exercise financial delegations on behalf of the Australian Embassy and the Australian Government Represent the Australian Embassy in Official Duties Access information relevant to personal financial records
SYSTEM ACCESS	Classified Government Network Classified Government Records Remote access to secure network
COMPLIANCE FRAMEWORK	All staff must comply with all applicable corporate and operational requirements that arise at law or pursuant to policies and authorised practices.
TENURE	This is a ONGOING role (includes probation period of 4 months)
JOB CATEGORY	POLICY   |     CONSULAR    |    ADMINISTRATION   |    RESEARCH   |   IMMIGRATION
LOCATION	El Golf, Las Condes, Santiago

 

About the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

The Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) develops and implements policies and programs to ensure Australia’s agricultural, fisheries, food and forestry industries remain competitive, profitable and sustainable. DAFF has a network of overseas officers to help maintain and expand market access for Australia’s agricultural exports and to manage the agricultural relationship with Australia’s key trading partners.

DAFF works closely with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), Austrade and other Australian government agencies as part of a whole of government approach to advance Australia’s global, regional and bilateral interests.

 

About the position

The Research and Program Officer works to support Counsellor - Agriculture to maintain and improve trade of agricultural products between Australia and Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, Paraguay and Uruguay. Also working to strengthen bilateral agriculture relationships with key countries regionally through facilitating policy discussions, undertaking research and analysis, coordinating meetings and visits, supporting management of capacity building and cooperation activities.

To support this work, the Research and Program Officer under the supervision of Counsellor Agriculture: develops and maintains strong working relationships with stakeholders including government officials, producer groups, importers, exporters and distributors; monitors changes to the policy environment; supports research and reporting activities, develops meeting memos, regular reports and briefings on agriculture, fisheries and forestry related matters regionally in Southern America, including through providing accurate translation and interpretation. The Research and Program Officer also manages Counsellor Agriculture´s agenda and is responsible for coordinating their domestic and international programs, through logistical, administrative and stakeholder engagement tasks.

 

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

• Perform research and provide accurate advice to the Counsellor on matters relating to the Australia - Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, Paraguay, and Uruguay agricultural relationships by collecting, analysing, and evaluating information.
• Provide high level translation and interpreter support for the Counsellor (Agriculture), other embassy staff and visiting delegations, as required (Spanish/English). (Portuguese language skills would also be considered highly.)
• Build new and maintain existing stakeholder relationships with relevant government agencies, farming groups, import and export industries and regional institutions to progress key priorities and monitor the agricultural policy and trade environment.
• Respond to enquiries on import/export requirements and legislative and administrative frameworks; assist with progressing Australia’s market access requests and facilitate the handling of detained Australian consignments regionally. This includes the translation of technical documents as required.
• Organise and deliver programs for Counsellor Agriculture, visiting government officials and Australian business representatives, facilitating meetings, field trips, workshops and other networking events.
• Support Counsellor Agriculture with the administration of Agriculture Section including but not limited to, writing reports of meetings, records of conversations and monthly activity reports, budget/ Finance support, maintaining a spreadsheet of market access and cooperation issues, updating the Embassy’s database of contacts and maintaining office records.

NOTE:  the list of responsibilities herein is not intended to be all-inclusive.  It may become necessary to modify/change these position responsibilities from time to time in line with changes to Embassy’s business needs.

 

Qualifications/Experience

• A high level of written and oral proficiency in English and Spanish, including translation and interpretation of technical and scientific terminology. Portuguese language skills highly desirable.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to liaise with representatives of government and industry.
• Demonstrated analytical skills in relation to agricultural trade and market access (or related subject matters) including an understanding of agriculture and trade policy and terminology.
• High level of proficiency with information technology systems, especially Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel & PowerPoint).

Desirable

• Appropriate tertiary qualifications (science, economics, trade law, agriculture science, veterinary science), public policy or equivalent relevant work experience. Relevant qualifications in translation and interpretation will also be considered.
• Demonstrated understanding of Sothern American agricultural policy developments including a capacity in public policy analysis, implementation, and regulation.
• Relevant experience in administrative tasks and program management.
   

Eligibility

To be eligible to work at the Australian Embassy in Santiago de Chile, the successful applicant will require:

• a clean police background check, Certificado de Antecedentes; 
• if a non-Chilean national, a valid work permit/visa; and
• successfully complete the Embassy Probity Check and sign a Declaration of Secrecy statement.