Australian High Commission - The department’s
purpose is to help make Australia stronger, safer and more prosperous
by promoting and protecting our interests internationally and
contributing to global stability and economic growth.
The department provides foreign, trade and development policy advice to
the government. We work with other government agencies to ensure that
Australia’s pursuit of its global, regional and bilateral interests is
coordinated effectively.
The Australian High Commission in Abuja seeks to appoint candidate to fill the position of:
Job Title: Development Cooperation Officer
Location: Abuja
Agency: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Classification: Locally Engaged
Section: Policy
Reports to (title): Second Secretary
Duration: One year only, with an option to extend subject to performance and the availability of funding.
About the Australian Government's 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 Australians overseas.
- The department provides foreign, trade and development policy advice to the Australian Government.
- DFAT also works with other Australian government agencies to in
pursuit of Australia's global, regional and bilateral interests.
Job Description
- The successful candidate will be responsible for implementing the High Commission's development program.
- This will include coordinating Australia's development programs
in Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon, Benin and Gabon,including the High
Commission's Direct Aid Program and the Australia Awards scholarship
program.
- The officer will liaise with internal and external stakeholders
and prepare correspondence and reports on development activities.
- We seek a person with a high level of initiative and strong
communication and interpersonal skills, who possesses the ability to
develop and maintain a good network of contacts.University
qualifications in a relevant discipline and fluency in English are
required, together with the ability to prepare high quality reports as
demonstrated either through previous work experience in a similar role
or attainment of a higher degree. Experience in development work and
strong French language skills(spoken and written) would also be highly
desirable.
About the position
- The Development Cooperation Officer is a key member of the High
Commission team, and is responsible for managing Australia's development
program in Nigeria and the other countries for which the High
Commission has responsibility (Niger, Cameroon, Gabon and Benin).
- The position is also required to undertake research, prepare reports and establish networks with relevant stakeholders.
The key responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to:
- Coordinate Australia's development program in Nigeria and other countries of accreditation.
- Manage the day-to-day running of,and provide policy advice on,
and the Australia Awards scholarship program in Nigeria and Cameroon.
- Manage relations with alumni of Australian universities.
- Liaise with other Australian missions, NGO's and Australia
Awards Alumni on the development, implementation and monitoring of
programs.
- Assist with developing policy and strategy related to the High Commission's small grants scheme, the Direct Aid Program.
- Prepare high quality research and reporting on development issues in Nigeria and other countries of accreditation.
- Establish and enhance contacts with external stakeholders
including other diplomatic missions, government Ministries, media, NGOs,
think tanks and alumni associations.
- Provide translation and preparation of documents in French and assist as interpreter when required.
Qualifications/Experience
- University qualifications in Development Policy, Political
Science, International Relations, Social Sciences, Economics or other
relevant fields.
- Excellent liaison, communication and interpersonal skills and an
ability to work effectively with as part of a multicultural team, along
with the ability to establish and maintain good working-level contacts.
- Fluency in English.
- Strong French language skills (spoken and written)are highly desirable.
- Experience working in a diplomatic mission/ international aid
organisation or engaging with foreign government officials on
development or other programs is desirable.
- Demonstrated ability to prepare high quality reports and
correspondence, either through previous work experience in a similar
role, or through the attainment of a higher degree.
- High level of initiative, self-motivation and ability to work
with limited supervision, manage own work program and meet deadlines.
- Flexibility to undertake a wide range of policy and administrative tasks, as directed.
- Strong computer skills (Microsoft Office).
Remuneration
This is a local hire position. An experience-based salary package will be negotiated with the successful candidate.
Application Closing Date
22nd June, 2015.
Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should submit their applications to:
ahc.abuja@dfat.gov.au (by email only). Applicants should include the following:
- Curriculum Vitae of no longer than two (2) pages;
- Name and contact details of two referees with close knowledge of their work; and
- A written statement (maximum 500 words) explaining how they meet
selection criteria in terms of relevant professional and other
experience, and qualifications, and their reasons for applying.
Note: Applications that do not follow the above format
or that are received late will not be considered. Only shortlisted
candidates will be contacted.
