The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is inviting applications for a full-time position, classified at Level 4 (LE4). The position will support Australia’s newly established Mekong-Australia Partnership (MAP) initiative. The closing date for applications is Friday, 16 April 2021, 4.30pm (Bangkok time).
Selection Criteria
Important Notice: Applicants must provide a brief written Statement of Claims to show their suitability. The Statement of Claims forms the most important part of the application, as this information, together with the resume, will be used to shortlist applicants for further consideration for the vacancy. There is no need for a covering letter.
In addressing each criterion of the position for which you are applying (see below), to demonstrate your capabilities, please ensure you provide example(s) based on previous experience where available.
Operations and Scholarships Officer
- Proven experience in corporate administration and contract management, including financial and risk management, ideally for development programs. Experience working on scholarship programs would be an advantage.
- Demonstrated ability to identify priorities and work autonomously to manage tasks, resolve issues and deliver quality outcomes.
- Experience working collaboratively in a cross-cultural team to deliver against team objectives under tight deadlines.
- Strong communication skills in both written and spoken English and Thai.
- Demonstrated ability to develop and strengthen relationships with a wide-range of stakeholders, including through liaison and representation.
Contract Conditions:
Position: Operations and Scholarships Officer
Work Level Classification: LE 4
Commencement Salary: THB 53,284 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
Employment will be subject to satisfactory medical and police/security checks. The actual start date will be confirmed following the outcome of the police checks, which will be carried out in Thailand, Australia, any country where the successful candidate is a citizen, and any country where the successful candidate has resided for 6 months or more in the past 5 years. Please note that costs for a police check in any country other than Thailand must be met by the successful candidate.
For prospective expatriate employees, please note that all costs associated with the employee’s relocation to and stay in Thailand is the employee’s responsibility. This includes visa fees, travel to Thailand, and quarantine hotel costs on arrival and COVID-19 tests. The employee will also be responsible for organising their own residential accommodation during their period of stay.
The Embassy can provide limited assistance to the employee and immediate family members (spouse and children) requesting Thai visa(s) and permit to stay.
It is the employees’ responsibility to obtain the relevant documents and ensure that they comply with immigration regulations that relate to their employment with the Embassy in Thailand. Prospective applicants are advised to check their eligibility for a visa – and investigate living conditions and costs. In considering this position, Australian applicants should make themselves aware of the Australian taxation arrangements for Australian citizens working overseas.
Please note that only ELIGIBLE applications will be considered, and only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interview and provided with feedback on the selection process, on request.
Position Description
AGENCY Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
POSITION NUMBER BK08069
POSITION TITLE Operations and Scholarships Officer
CLASSIFICATION LE4
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.
The Operations and Scholarships Officer will work to a First Secretary within the Development Section at the Australian Embassy in Bangkok to support various initiatives under MAP. Under the MAP Building Human Capacity pillar, the Officer will support implementation of the Australia Awards (Masters scholarships and short courses for study in Australia) in Thailand. The Officer will also support the establishment and day to day management of activities to increase economic resilience, and other activities established under MAP as required.
The key responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to:
· Support planning, implementation and coordination of the Australia Awards for Thailand, including liaising with a Managing Contractor on selection and deployment of Australia Awards scholars and coordinating short-award programs within the Australian Embassy in Bangkok.
· Manage agreements and grants for activities funded under the MAP, including preparing simple tender documentation, managing selection processes and monitoring contractor performance, service agreements and deliverables.
· Monitor, analyse and report on operations, budget and expenditure patterns to identify potential risks or problems and recommend and implement remedial solutions.
· Assist in the delivery of MAP activities, including maintaining risk registers and ensuring compliance with DFAT policies including on gender, environment, resettlement, disaster risk reduction, fraud, counter-terrorism, child-protection and disability.
· Coordinate human resource, records management and other administrative matters with DFAT corporate areas.
· Provide a first point of contact for incoming enquiries relating to the Australia Awards in Thailand, and manage incoming and outgoing correspondence.
· Conduct initial screening and document verification of Australia Awards Scholarships applications, with support from a Managing Contractor, to confirm prerequisites have been met.
· Provide administrative support to the Development Section as required.
Qualifications/Experience
· Proven experience in contract management, including performance, financial and risk management and administration of aid agreements and arrangements.
· Strong communication skills in both written and spoken English and Thai.
· Experience working collaboratively in a cross-cultural team environment to deliver against team objectives under tight deadlines.
· Demonstrated competence with computer software including Microsoft Word and Excel.
· Proven experience in program management support and knowledge of Australian development policy.
· Experience working on scholarship programs 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.
How to apply
How to Apply
For any application to be ELIGIBLE and considered, it must include the following:
- CV (Resume) (maximum two A4 pages) outlining previous relevant work experience in English. Please include the names and contact details (phone number and email addresses) of two referees in the CV.
- Statement of Claims (maximum two A4 pages) addressing each Selection Criterion (see below). In addressing each criterion, to demonstrate your capability, please ensure you provide example(s) based on previous experience where available. Tell us why you are the right person for the job, why you are interested in working with DFAT, what you can offer us, and how your skills, knowledge, experience and qualifications are applicable to a role at this level. For guidelines on how to write a Statement of Claims, please visit www.thailand.embassy.gov.au under ‘Job Opportunity’ and ‘Guidelines for addressing Selection Criteria’.
Please send your application to [email protected]. Please name the email subject ‘Application for [specify the position that you wish to apply] – [insert first name and last name]’ For example, Application for LE4 Operations and Scholarships Officer – Edouard Manet’.
Enquiries regarding the position may be directed to the Human Resources Unit at [email protected]
