Public Diplomacy Adviser

Australian High Commission

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Full-time: 36.75 hours per week
Position number: TBC
Starting Salary: £39,163 per annum 
Classification: LE 5

We are currently recruiting for a full-time Public Diplomacy Adviser on a temporary contract. The brief for this role during this period will be to focus on a number of public diplomacy activities whilst the permanent Cultural and Public Affairs Adviser is on maternity leave.

We are looking for an energetic and motivated person to join our small team and lead on many of the High Commission’s public diplomacy activities.

The successful candidate will lead the High Commission’s public engagement strategy across a range of areas - using cultural, economic, science, sporting and other platforms to engage, inform and influence opinion leaders, academics, think-tanks, business and civil society to promote Australia’s interests in the United Kingdom.

This exciting role requires someone creative, who is looking to build on an already strong network of contacts, has excellent judgement and can work autonomously.  

He /she will be expected to provide advice on policy issues, manage the High Commission’s partnerships and sponsorship agreements and contribute to public diplomacy strategies.

He/she will also need to be social media-savvy, working closely with our Communications Team on our digital diplomacy strategy and our online community hub (AusNexus), and propose innovative ways for the High Commission to engage with the public, especially outside London.

The successful candidate will work as part of a small team using cultural, economic, science, sporting and other platforms to engage, inform and influence opinion leaders, academics, think-tanks, business and civil society to promote Australia’s interests in the United Kingdom

Responsibilities will include planning and managing projects and events for the High Commission, from cultural receptions to lectures, visit programs or functions at the High Commissioner’s residence. Strong organisational skills are therefore essential, along with creative flair and an eye for detail. Flexibility and ability to cope under pressure and with changing priorities are also important.

About the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)

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 role of Public Diplomacy Adviser is offered initially on a eleven months fixed term contract with a brief to focus on a number of public diplomacy initiatives during the period that the permanent Cultural and Public Affairs Adviser is on maternity leave.

The role works as part of a team to plan and deliver the High Commission’s public diplomacy strategy, providing advice on policy issues and promoting Australia’s interests in the UK.  He/she is also responsible for managing Post’s strategic partnerships and sponsorship agreements and certain elements of the public diplomacy budget.

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

• Help plan, develop and deliver the High Commission’s public diplomacy strategy – including cultural, science, sports and economic diplomacy initiatives – and ensure projects achieve desired outcomes with appropriate evaluation and reporting.
• Provide internal and external strategic advice on public diplomacy and cultural policy, and other government matters of public engagement issues and activities.
• Represent the High Commission at committees, meetings and events including briefing and negotiate with external contacts on complex and sensitive issues relating to Australia’s public diplomacy priorities.
• Support the High Commissioner, Deputy High Commissioner and Public Diplomacy Manager in high level meetings as required.
• Develop sponsorship and partnership agreements that support the High Commission’s public diplomacy program.
• Plan and manage public diplomacy events across a range of areas.
• Draft briefs, talking points, speeches, reports, correspondence and respond to public enquiries.  Deliver speeches as required.
• Maintain a good working knowledge of current Australian and UK Government policies, including those relating to public and cultural policy, arts advocacy and funding.
• Be the first point of contact for the cultural and community sectors and develop and maintain productive relationships with key stakeholders, including government agencies and the wider cultural sector and community groups
• Manage the High Commission’s online community hub (Australian Nexus) and support other High Commission social media channels through the development of targeted content
• Manage certain aspects of the High Commission’s Public Diplomacy Budget and, as required, supervise the work of casual employees/contractors in the Public Affairs Branch as required.
• General administrative duties as required.

Qualifications/Experience

• Knowledge of a range of public diplomacy policies, sectors, issues and activities including as they relate to culture, sport, environment, science etc.
• Understanding of broader Australian Government policies and priorities and guidelines.
• High level communication and analytical skills; the ability to build and maintain relationships and a well-developed understanding of relevant policies and issues.
• Excellent leadership, communication and negotiation skills to manage complex and sensitive situations and issues, with an awareness of their possible impact on strategic, political or operational outcomes.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, including external and internal partners.
• Sponsorship and contract management.
• Planning and management of multiple projects and events.
• Supervise project delivery staff and provide expert advice to agencies within the Australian High Commission.
• Work independently managing complex projects and relationships.
• Represent the Australian High Commission at public forums, including representation through social media and broadcast forums (such as Australian Nexus).
• Sound understanding of digital technologies and their capabilities for the public diplomacy program.

Selection Criteria

To be considered for this role applicants are expected to provide good evidence, in both the application form and at interview; of the following experience, skills and knowledge.

Essential

A. Highly developed ability to analyse complex issues, make sound judgments and achieve outcomes, working autonomously and/or as part of a team.

B. Demonstrated experience in public diplomacy, public relations or public affairs, including project delivery and events management. 

C. Excellent communication skills.  Demonstrated ability to negotiate, consult and advocate to achieve results. Experience using digital media.

D. Strong existing network of contacts and interest in building and maintaining relationships with external stakeholders. This includes government agencies and the wider cultural sector, public diplomacy and community groups.

E. Excellent working relationships: demonstrated team-working, interpersonal and people management skills including experience working with senior level officials, executives and stakeholders.

F. Maintain exemplary standards of conduct, integrity and professionalism. Adaptability, initiative and flexibility to undertake a range of tasks.

Desirable

G. Experience with sponsorship and contract management.

How to apply

Applications close at 12 noon (GMT) on Monday 9 May 2016. Interviews are currently scheduled for week commencing 23 May 2016.

Late, incomplete and/or ineligible applications, including those that have not adequately addressed each selection criteria, will not be considered for engagement.

Candidates interested in this position must submit a complete application, including the following documents as separate attachments:

1. UK-Based Application Form (including an address to the each of the selection criteria);
2. Your current CV
3. The Diversity and Equal Opportunities Monitoring Questionnaire.

Please include all attachments as electronic documents - do not print and scan the application form.

Applications are to be submitted to: recruitment.london@dfat.gov.auPlease note: the Diversity and Equal Opportunities Monitoring Questionnaire will not be passed to the selection committee for this role. It will be held confidentially by the Human Resources Department for statistical monitoring purposes only. You may submit this attachment in a separate email if you wish, to diversity.lhlh@dfat.gov.au.

Note: Please submit the application form as an electronic document and check that your application form has been completed in full upon submission. In some circumstances application forms can come through blank and require resending.