Australian Embassy
Lao People's Democratic Republic
Km 4, Thadeua Road, Watnak (P.O. Box 292)

Senior Regional Policy Officer

 

Position Description​

Agency

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Position number

VT036

Title

Senior Policy Officer

Classification

LE5

Salary

Commencement salary is in the range of US$1,535 to US$1,866 gross monthly based on level of skills and experience

Section

Water & Regional

Reports to

First Secretary (Water & Regional)

 

 

 

 

 

 

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 development program and helping Australian travellers and Australians overseas. DFAT 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 general direction of the First Secretary Water & Regional, the Senior Policy Officer will research and report on the Embassy’s ASEAN and regional political objectives. The position will provide analytical advice and policy support on ASEAN, regional architecture, and regional political topics, and maintain strong relationships with Lao Government.

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

  • Contribute to the post’s preparation of policy documents, including briefing, cables, papers, letters, third person notes and emails
  • Provide expertise across a broad range of ASEAN-related topics to help deliver the embassy’s strategic objectives during the period of Laos’s ASEAN country coordinator role for Australia from August 2021 and in the lead up to Laos’ ASEAN Chair year in 2024.
  • Monitor local media and provide quality research and analysis across a broad range of the Embassy’s ASEAN, regional architecture, transnational crime, and regional political objectives.
  • Develop and maintain networks and relationships with key stakeholders to support Australia’s interests in delivering on its ASEAN, and regional political objectives.
  • Support and coordinate capacity-building activities relating to ASEAN and regional political topics.
  • Provide advice and assistance on matters of protocol, processes and local traditions/culture
  • Prepare programs of meetings for visiting Australian officials and/or embassy staff and make logistical arrangements in support of the visits
  • Assist in arranging logistics for workshops, seminars (eg room bookings, hiring interpreters)
  • Provide translating and interpreting services between English and Lao

Qualifications/Experience

  1. High-level research, analysis and reporting skills
  2. Demonstrated ability to translate and interpret between English and Lao
  3. Sound judgment, problem solving skills, initiative and a results orientation
  4. Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to establish and maintain effective stakeholder relationship skills
  5. Tertiary qualifications and/or demonstrated expertise in relevant fields desirable

 

Applications must be submitted by Friday 16 July 2021 at 5:30 PM.

Application Instructions