The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is inviting applications for a full-time position, classified at Level 6 (LE6). 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.
- Proven experience in corporate administration and management, including performance, financial and risk management – ideally with experience in managing complex contract agreements and associated arrangements.
- Demonstrated interest and experience in water, energy, climate, environmental resilience and/or disaster preparedness.
- Strong communication and negotiation skills in written and spoken English and Thai.
- Demonstrated ability to identify priorities and work autonomously to manage multi-faceted engagements, resolve issues and deliver quality outcomes.
- Experience working collaboratively in a cross-cultural team to deliver against team objectives under tight deadlines.
- Demonstrated ability to develop strong relationships across a broad range of stakeholders and to leverage these relationships to deliver outcomes.
Contract Conditions:
Position: Senior Program Manager –Mekong Water, Energy and Climate
Work Level Classification: LE 6
Commencement Salary: THB 82,681 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 BK08068
POSITION TITLE Senior Program Manager – Mekong Water, Energy and Climate
CLASSIFICATION LE6
SECTION Development
REPORTS TO (TITLE) Lead Advisor – Mekong Australia Partnership – Water Energy Climate
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 Senior Program Manager will work primarily with the MAP Water Energy Climate (MAP-WEC) program and associated initiatives. With limited direction, the Senior Program Manager will oversee the establishment and day-to-day management of investments and activities in these sectors. This position will work closely with Thai stakeholders as we expand our existing partnerships on water, energy, climate, environmental resilience and disaster preparedness. This position will also work closely with Australian Posts in the Mekong region, implementing partners, and other Australian Government agencies based in Australia and the region.
The key responsibilities of the position include but are not limited to:
- Develop and strengthen MAP Water Energy Climate relationships across a broad range of stakeholders, including Mekong region government partners, development partners, multilateral development banks, community organisations and the private sector.
- Liaise with other areas of DFAT (including regional Posts and relevant sections in Canberra), and other Australian Government agencies to facilitate planning and program delivery for water, energy and climate-related partnership activities under MAP.
- Design and implement MAP-WEC activities.
- Proactively engage with Australian Embassy staff and implementing partners to ensure coordination and coherence on water, energy and climate between MAP and other related investments.
- Manage contracts to ensure compliance, including preparing tender documentation.
- Monitor investment quality and implementing partner performance.
- 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 water, energy and climate-related issues. Prepare reports, briefing papers, and discussion papers on issues for these sectors, as well as cooperation policy issues.
- Perform independent research and analysis on water, energy and climate-related issues, risks and opportunities to inform program design and implementation.
- Support the integration of gender equality, disability and social inclusion principles across program activities.
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 team 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.
- Demonstrated professional / technical qualification or specialist expertise, knowledge or experience in water, energy or climate change, development or a related field would be an advantage.
- Previous experience working with DFAT development systems and an understanding of Australian Government development policy would be an advantage.
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 LE6 Senior Program Manager – Mekong Water, Energy and Climate – Edouard Manet’.
Enquiries regarding the position may be directed to the Human Resources Unit at [email protected]
