The successful applicant will be engaged as a locally engaged staff member by the Australian Embassy, Brussels.

Please be advised that the Australian Embassy, Brussels does not provide relocation assistance and any costs associated with taking up the position would be the responsibility of the successful candidate.

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

The Public Affairs Manager will lead a small team with responsibility for the development and implementation of the Mission’s public diplomacy strategy to advance Australia’s policy priorities and increase Australia’s soft power across the EU, NATO and in Belgium and Luxembourg. 

Key responsibilities of the position include but are not limited to:

• Oversee implementation of post’s public diplomacy (PD) strategy, and manage outreach and advocacy programmes and related activities in Belgium and Luxembourg, including leading PD events from planning to execution.
• Implement a comprehensive public diplomacy and engagement strategy in a manner that advances Australia’s international policy priorities relating to the EU, NATO and bilateral relations with Belgium and Luxembourg. 
• Manage the public diplomacy budget, report on expenditure and secure and manage sponsorships and strategic partnerships.
• Monitor, analyse and provide high-level advice on developments of relevance to Australia, and carefully consider government policy and guidelines.
• Develop and maintain extensive government, business, academic, arts and media networks across Belgium and Luxembourg.
• Provide advice and briefing materials to inform and support the participation of the Ambassador and other senior Australian representatives in events, meetings and other activities to promote Australian interests and priorities.
• Manage responses to media enquiries and act as media liaison.
• Develop and implement post’s social media strategy, identify new ways of engaging audiences, promote Australia, and assess post’s performance online.
• Supervise the Public Affairs Officer, and potentially interns, coordinate team output and manage team performance.
• Coordinate the media and social media components of official visits and provide social media and PD related training to staff.

Required Qualifications/Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant area of study.
• Equivalent work experience in a comparable role or in public affairs.
• Experience in public affairs, preferably in a Brussels context, including social/print media and events management.
• Knowledge of EU institutions and processes is essential.  Knowledge of Australian systems, policies and processes would be a distinct advantage. 
• Demonstrated sound judgement and proven high-level research and analytical skills.
• High-level written and spoken communication skills in English. Advanced language skills in one of Belgium’s official languages (preferably French) is strongly desirable.
• Strong interpersonal skills and a demonstrated capacity to develop, extend and maintain networks of relevant contacts.
• Demonstrated ability to show initiative, supervise staff, and work collaboratively as a member of a small team.
• Demonstrated organisational and time management skills and the ability to handle multiple tasks, manage priorities and meet agreed schedules.
• Understanding of trade/economic policy is desirable but not essential.

Selection Criteria

In your written statements, you must include relevant high-level examples from your experience that support your claims against the role. The word limit is strictly 250 words per response. The panel will not assess responses which exceed the word limit.

A. Demonstrated knowledge of foreign affairs, including Australian, EU bilateral relations and government policies to help develop and implement a Public Diplomacy Strategy.

B. Demonstrated ability to independently conduct high-quality, thorough and accurate research, from a variety of sources, analyse findings to monitor trends, and present findings/reports to a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders in an appropriate manner.

C. Highly developed communication and interpersonal skills in English (and French is desirable), with a proven ability to respond to the needs of clients, and to manage relationships at all levels to leverage these relationships to the benefit of the organisation, including high-level internal and external stakeholders.

D. Strong planning and organisational skills with the ability to manage a range of competing priorities under limited supervision.

E. Demonstrated ability to show initiative, supervise a small team and work collaboratively contributing to a friendly, collegiate environment.

The Human Resources Section based in the Australian High Commission, London is responsible for managing all recruitment processes across the European region. To apply, please use the 'Apply' button below. Please direct any other queries to recruitment.london@dfat.gov.au

To apply, click HERE.

We are committed to providing an inclusive and diverse workplace where all employees are valued. We appreciate the experiences, skills and perspectives of all individuals. We actively encourage applications from people from diverse backgrounds who share Our Values. 

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