Back Public Diplomacy Officer – Mekong-Australia Partnership

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) invites applications for a full-time position, classified at Level 5 (LE5), Public Diplomacy Officer – Mekong-Australia Partnership. The position will support Australia’s newly established Mekong-Australia Partnership (MAP) initiative. The closing date for applications is Wednesday, 29 September 2021, 4.30pm (Bangkok time). The merit list will be established and drawn upon to fill future vacancies.

Contract Conditions:

Position: Public Diplomacy Officer - Mekong-Australia Partnership

Work Level Classification: LE 5

Commencement Salary: THB 66,243 per month

Department: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)

Date of Commencement: As soon as possible

Employment Period: Two years and six months

Probationary Period: Three months

Place of Work: Australian Embassy, Bangkok

Selection Criteria:

1. Experience working in public diplomacy, including public relations, media and/or marketing. This includes dealing with media, social media, producing communication materials and delivering well-coordinated public diplomacy events and activities.

2. Excellent oral and written communication skills in both English and Thai, including an ability to draft high-quality speeches and social media posts.

3. Experience working collaboratively in a cross-cultural team to deliver against team objectives under tight deadlines.

4. Demonstrated ability to build and maintain a wide range of relevant contacts and supporting databases.

5. Demonstrated competence in the use of the Microsoft suite

Position Description:

AGENCY Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

POSITION NUMBER BK08072

POSITION TITLE Public Diplomacy Officer - Mekong-Australia Partnership

CLASSIFICATION LE5

SECTION Development

REPORTS TO (TITLE) First Secretary (Development)

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 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

In November 2020, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced the Mekong-Australia Partnership (MAP), a package of AUD232 million in funding to support economic integration and development in the Mekong region.

With general direction, the MAP Public Diplomacy Officer promotes Australia’s increased investment in the Mekong through the MAP, with a focus on our water, energy and climate development programs. This position works as part of the Embassy’s Development Section but works closely with the Embassy’s Public Diplomacy Unit to ensure complementarity with the Embassy’s broader PD agenda.

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

· Plan, develop and implement a public diplomacy strategy for the MAP water, energy and climate development investments, in close consultation with the Embassy’s Development Section, Public Diplomacy (PD) Unit, relevant Australian Government agencies in Bangkok and other Australian Embassies in the Mekong sub-region.

· Provide PD support for other MAP investments (including Building Human Capacity, Economic Resilience, Transnational Crime and Trade and Investment).

· Manage relationships with media contacts to achieve work area and department goals, in close consultation with the Embassy’s PD Unit.

· Develop and maintain relationships with relevant regional stakeholders, including community organisations, government officials, private sector representatives, international and regional organisations.

· Produce a range of high-quality written materials including social media, presentations, and speeches on Australia’s water, energy and climate investments in the Mekong sub-region.

· Plan and execute public diplomacy events, including coordinating activities with other Australian Embassies in the region, to promote Australia’s increased investments in the Mekong sub-region.

· Prepare or review press releases in English and / or Thai.

Qualifications/Experience

· Tertiary qualifications in a relevant field and/or at least two years’ experience working in public diplomacy, including public relations, media, and/or marketing.

· Excellent oral and written communication skills in both English and Thai, including an ability to draft high-quality speeches and social media posts.

· Demonstrated competence in the use of the Microsoft suite of software products.

· Demonstrated experience dealing with media, including social media and the production of marketing material.

· Experience coordinating and delivering well-organised events.

· Experience building and maintaining a wide range of relevant contacts and supporting databases.

· Experience with graphic design and videography would be an advantage.

· Experience working with or knowledge / familiarity with international development would be an advantage.

Personal attributes

· Ability to work autonomously under limited direction to resolve issues.

· Ability to develop relationships and work collaboratively in a cross-cultural team environment to deliver against team objectives under tight deadlines.