Job Description - Program Officer MAP

 

AGENCY	Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
POSITION NUMBER	BK08085
POSITION TITLE	Program Officer - Mekong-Australia Partnership
CLASSIFICATION	LE5
SECTION	Development
REPORTS TO (TITLE)	First Secretary (Development) OR Senior Program Manager

 

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 its 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. It also works with other Australian government agencies to drive coordination of Australia’s global, regional and bilateral interests.

About the position

This description covers multiple positions.

The Program Officer will work with the Mekong Australia Partnership (MAP) team in a range of sectors including:

• Water security;
• Climate change;
• Countering trans-national crime;
• Scholarships and short courses;
• Economic Resilience and sub-regional institutions; and
• Gender, disability and social inclusion.

With general direction, the Program Officer works under established policies and procedures to oversee the day-to-day management of a sector of the Mekong Australia Partnership. The position provides advice on operational issues including corporate (finance/budget/risk) and development program management. It supports the Development Section through effective resource management and program delivery. This position works with Australian Embassies in the Mekong region, delivery partners, and other Australian Government agencies based in Australia and the region.

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

• Oversee the general administration of a MAP sector or sectors, manage and maintain project budgets, prepare financial reports, and maintain filing systems and electronic records.
• Maintain risk registers and ensure compliance with DFAT policies including on gender, environment, resettlement, disaster risk reduction, fraud, counterterrorism, child‐protection and disability.
• Develop and maintain relationships with Mekong Governments, development partners and community organisations.
• Support the Development Section’s administrative processes, provide project-related advice to senior staff, develop short-term work unit plans, and contribute to planning and operational decision-making.
• Manage assigned elements of the development project life cycle.
• Review and streamline administrative processes, identify improvements to business processes and present high-level written recommendations to senior staff for implementation.
• Maintain and update project data utilising DFAT’s project management software, Aidworks. Proactively identify and rectify data quality issues.
• Coordinate and support the Development Section’s representational activities and events, including the management of representational equipment, gifts and funding requirements.
• Under broad guidance, liaise and network with a range of internal and external stakeholders on policy, project and operational issues.
• Manage and coordinate logistical requirements for the Development Section, including project visits, monitoring and evaluation field trips, visits by stakeholders, and visits by high-level officials.

Qualifications/Experience

• Demonstrated ability to work under broad direction to deliver quality outcomes.
• Demonstrated experience working in administration, and strong financial and budgetary skills.
• Demonstrated management skills in a small team environment, including proven flexibility, initiative, and attention to detail.
• Demonstrated organisational skills, including the ability to work under pressure, prioritise tasks and meet deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to network and engage with a wide variety of stakeholders.
• Excellent written and spoken English and Thai communication skills, and experience preparing high-level reports and correspondence.

Desirable

• Written and spoken communication skills in languages of the Mekong sub-region
• Previous experience working with DFAT development systems and an understanding of Australian Government development policy.