Manager, Public Affairs Australian Embassy China

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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

This position plays a lead role in the Public Affairs team to promote and raise the awareness and maintain a positive image of Australia in the Chinese media and the general public through organizing media and cultural activities and events associated with senior visits and other key Embassy activities and cross-government initiatives.

This position also has the responsibility of providing A-based officers with up-to-date information about the latest media developments in China and advice relating to media activities involving Chinese media outlets on various platforms.

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

• Manage the workload and priorities of the Public Affairs Section.
• Manage the implementation and evaluation of public diplomacy strategies across all China posts, including by developing proposals for public diplomacy events and activities.
• Provide Embassy officers with action plans focusing on strategic media planning and identifying potential opportunities and risks.
• Initiate, develop and maintain productive relationships with key Chinese media organizations and individuals and relevant Government bodies, and maintain good records of these contacts. 
• Develop and oversee the execution of the Ambassador’s six-monthly forward engagement plan with Chinese media, in consultation with other staff as required.
• Monitor and analyse trends in the Chinese media sector, including high level reporting on trends in media coverage relating to Australia, and other relevant developments.
• Provide section heads with advice on key Chinese media engagement and production of promotional and advocacy materials for the Embassy, including other agencies.
• Assist with oversight of the development and maintenance of the Embassy website, including redevelopment of the site, and the Embassy’s digital and social media efforts.
• Represent the Embassy and/or Public Affairs and Culture Section at meetings, conferences or seminars.
• Supervise and be responsible for the quality of Chinese-language material and translations prepared by the Section.
• Undertake informal interpreting, as required.

Qualifications/Experience

• Five or more years work experience in communications or media-related areas.
• Demonstrated familiarity with public relations and public communications approaches.
• Demonstrated understanding of the Chinese media environment, including social media outlets and trends, and experience in dealing with Chinese media organisations and individuals to achieve positive and innovative PR outcomes.
• Demonstrated ability to work with limited direction; flexibility, adaptability and initiative; ability to prioritise a busy workload, work under pressure and to meet deadlines with close attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability to supervise and manage staff and resources, including team-building skills, and the ability to counsel and develop staff effectively and efficiently.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing, including effectiveness in negotiation, consultation, representation and contact building with internal and external counterparts. 
• A strong network of existing Chinese media contacts relevant to the work of the Embassy.
• A demonstrated ability to communicate with native or near-native fluency in both Mandarin and English (verbally and written), and strong abilities in both translation and interpreting.
• Familiarity with the Australian Government’s foreign and trade policy goals, and knowledge of Australia and the Australian arts and cultural scene.
• Knowledge of the Chinese arts and cultural scene is desirable.

Selection Criteria

Applicants should address all six (6) of the selection criteria below, clearly outlining their claims and specific experience that makes them suitable for this position (maximum 250 words per criteria). 

1. Demonstrated familiarity with public relations and public communications approaches with five or more years work experience in communications or media-related areas.
2. Demonstrated understanding of the Chinese media environment, including social media outlets and trends, and experience in dealing with Chinese media organisations and individuals to achieve positive and innovative PR outcomes.
3. Demonstrated ability to supervise and manage staff and resources, including team-building skills, and the ability to counsel and develop staff effectively and efficiently.
4. Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing, including effectiveness in negotiation, consultation, representation and contact building with internal and external counterparts. 
5. A demonstrated ability to communicate with native or near-native fluency in both Mandarin and English (verbally and written), and strong abilities in both translation and interpreting.
6. Familiarity with the Australian Government’s foreign and trade policy goals, and knowledge of Australia and the Australian arts and cultural scene.

What we offer

• A diverse and inclusive workplace and attractive remuneration and conditions package
• Exciting and fulfilling work in a diplomatic mission
• The opportunity to work with strong, smart, visionary and experienced leaders who encourage and support to develop your skills.

PREPARING YOUR APPLICATION

Your application, written in English, should include:

1. Curriculum Vitae (maximum 2 pages)

Please attach current curriculum vitae.

1. Selection criteria -  Complete Attachment A

Applicants are required to address the selection criteria by completing Attachment A.  For each criterion, applicants should limit their response to 250 words.  Appendix 1 provides useful information on how to address the selection criteria.  Applications that do not address the selection criteria will not be considered.

1. Contact details for two work-related referees - Complete Attachment B

You need to provide contacts for two referees who are familiar with your professional as well as personal skills and competence.  In most cases referees are not contacted unless you are shortlisted for the position, however if we have a tight timeframe we may contact referees before interviews.

Please submit your application before 17:00 on Sunday 5 November 2017.  Applications received after the closing date and time will not be considered. 

Please note that only applicants short-listed for interview will receive a written reply. If you have not received any communication from the Human Resources Section within four weeks after the close of application, please consider your application unsuccessful. Thank you for your understanding and your interest in working at the Australian Embassy in Beijing.

Please ensure your application and the filled out attachment are all submitted in one single PDF document.