|
AGENCY |
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade |
|
POSITION NUMBER |
BK08066, BK08086, BK08087, BK08088 |
|
POSITION TITLE |
Senior Program Manager – Mekong-Australia Partnership |
|
CLASSIFICATION |
LE6 |
|
SECTION |
Development |
|
REPORTS TO (TITLE) |
First Secretary (Development) |
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 Senior Program Managers 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 limited direction, the Senior Program Manager will oversee the establishment and day-to-day management of investments and activities in the relevant sector(s). The position will work closely with stakeholders from across the Mekong sub-region, as we deepen our partnerships. This position will also work closely with Australian Posts in the Mekong sub-region, implementing partners, and other Australian Government agencies based in Australia and the region.
The key responsibilities of the position may include, but are not limited to:
- Manage a small team within a specific MAP sector including mentoring and developing team members, establishing work priorities, and identifying learning opportunities for team members
- Develop, maintain and strengthen MAP relationships across a broad range of stakeholders, including Mekong sub-region government partners, development partners, multilateral development banks, community organisations and the private sector.
- Liaise with internal stakeholders and other Australian Government agencies to facilitate planning and program delivery for partnership activities under MAP.
- Represent and promote the interests of the Australian Embassy in a range of forums and meetings, and provide advice and reporting on operational and policy issues.
- Contribute to the effective design, implementation and monitoring of MAP activities including
- performing independent research and analysis on issues, risks and opportunities
- monitoring investment quality and implementing partner performance measures
- contract management to ensure compliance including preparation of tender documentation; and
- supporting the integration of gender equality, disability and social inclusion principles across program activities
- Undertake risk assessment and risk management for MAP activities.
- Procure and review independent advice and evaluation of specific investments under MAP.
- Provide advice and technical expertise on one or more of the relevant MAP sectors.
- Prepare and deliver reports, briefing papers, and discussion papers on issues relevant to one or more MAP sector.
Qualifications/Experience
- Proven experience in managing development programs, including those of a complex and/or sensitive nature.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently under broad direction to resolve issues and deliver quality outcomes.
- Strong analytical skills and demonstrated ability to provide policy advice to senior management; undertake detailed or sensitive projects; and contribute to strategic planning for longer-term outcomes.
- Experience working closely in a cross-cultural team environment to deliver against objectives to tight deadlines.
- Highly developed communication, negotiation, liaison, and representation skills in written and spoken English (equivalent to IELTS score of 7 with no band less than 6.5 in any of the categories, or TOEFL score of 580).
- Strong language skills in both written and spoken Thai.
Desirable
- Demonstrated professional / technical qualification or specialist expertise, knowledge or experience in one or more MAP sector, international development or a related field.
- Previous experience working with DFAT development systems and an understanding of Australian Government development policy.