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AGENCY |
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade |
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POSITION NUMBER |
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POSITION TITLE |
Senior Policy Officer |
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CLASSIFICATION |
LE5 |
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SECTION |
Policy |
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REPORTS TO |
Deputy Head of Mission |
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TENURE |
One-year role, with a probation period of three months |
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LOCATION |
El Golf, Las Condes, Santiago |
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 limited direction of the Deputy Head of Mission, this position will have direct responsibility for researching and analysing political, economic, trade and investment developments within Chile and Ecuador and their impact on Australia’s interests. Duties will also include writing reports and media summaries, coordinating visits by ministers and officials, interpreting and translation tasks, and supporting visit programs. The position may include opportunities for travel in Chile and Ecuador.
Key responsibilities of the position include but are not limited to:
- Undertake political and economic policy research and analysis, prepare high-quality reports and provide advice, including on government priorities in Chile and Ecuador;
- Lead policy engagement and provide advice on mining and energy, economic and trade policy, domestic politics and other relevant issues;
- Develop and strengthen strategic relationships with contacts in Chilean government ministries, businesses, academia, NGOs, and other embassies;
- Monitor developments and contribute to reporting on domestic political, regional and thematic issues;
- Conduct high-quality research, analysis, and reporting, including preparing draft cables, reports, briefing papers, speeches, talking points, Third Person Notes and other correspondence;
- In collaboration with team members in the Australian Embassy, coordinate programs for visiting ministers and officials;
- Contribute to the Embassy’s public diplomacy activities and media and social media content.
- Translate documents from English to Spanish and Spanish to English, including speeches, diplomatic communications, policy papers, and letters. As required, act as informal interpreter for visiting officials and Australian diplomatic officers.
Required Qualifications/Experience/Knowledge/Skills
- Full bilingual fluency in written and spoken English and Spanish.
- A university degree in a relevant field.
- A minimum of four years’ work experience in a relevant field, preferably involving economic or political research and analysis.
- Capacity for strategic thinking.
- Highly developed conceptual, research and analytical skills and a strong understanding of Chile’s political and electoral system.
- Solid understanding of Chile and Ecuador’s government, economy, international policies and priorities; knowledge of Chile’s mining and energy sectors an advantage.
- A high level of initiative, judgement and strong organisational skills and the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Proven ability and experience to provide interpretation and translation in Spanish and English in both directions.
- Excellent writing, presentation and communication skills.
Desirable
- Familiarity with Australia is not essential, but may be an advantage.
- Demonstrated experience in public policy is not essential, but may be an advantage
Eligibility
To be eligible to work at the Australian Embassy in Santiago de Chile, the successful applicant will require:
- A clean police background check (i.e. Certificado de Antecedentes); and
- If a non-Chilean national, a valid work permit/visa.
NOTE: The Embassy will not be able to assist applicants to secure a visa beyond providing an offer of employment. Applicants from Australia are encouraged to apply but the Embassy will not cover relocation costs. The employee’s appointment will be subject to a three-month probation period.