Policy and Research Officer - LE4 - Stockholm

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 Australia's prosperity, delivering an effective and high quality overseas aid program and helping Australian travellers and Australians overseas.

The department provides foreign, trade and development policy advice to the Australian Government. DFAT also works with other Australian government agencies to drive coordination of Australia's pursuit of global, regional and bilateral interests.



About the Australian Embassy in Stockholm

The Australian Embassy in Stockholm is responsible for advancing Australia's bilateral interests with Sweden, Finland, Latvia and Estonia, and for providing Australian resident in or visiting these countries with consular and passport services.



About the position

Under general direction, the Policy & Research Officer is responsible for providing research, analysis, policy advice and reporting relevant to Australia's interests in Sweden, Finland, Latvia, and Estonia. The position also supports the Embassy's public diplomacy engagement and provides translating and interpreting support.



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

-Provide high-quality and timely research, analysis, policy advice and reporting relevant to Australia's interests in Sweden, Finland, Latvia and Estonia, including on political, economic, foreign policy and security issues.
-Develop and maintain a wide range of relationships with contacts in government, academia, the media, and the NGO and private sectors.
-Represent the Embassy at meetings, seminars and workshops, and report on issues and outcomes.
-Monitor media sources and prepare comprehensive summaries of key new items and developments.
-Provide English-Swedish translating and interpreting support as required.
-Support the Embassy's public diplomacy engagement, including social media content and the design, planning and delivery of public diplomacy activities.
-During periods of absence, provide executive support as required to the Head of Mission.
-Assist with the organisation and delivery of visits to and from Australia.
-Contribute to the supervision of junior staff, including interns.


Qualifications/Experience

-Tertiary qualifications in a relevant field or equivalent work experience.
-High-level research and analytical skills, and an ability to produce high-quality written work in English.
-Strong interpersonal, representational, and networking skills.
-An ability to show initiative, prioritise, manage time effectively, meet tight deadlines, and work both independently and as part of a team.
-Demonstrated ability to translate and interpret between English and Swedish.


Desirable:

-A solid understanding of Sweden's government, economy, society, and international policies and priorities would be an advantage.
-Knowledge and understanding of international issues relevant to Australia would be an advantage.


General Requirements

-Right to work in Sweden


SELECTION CRITERIA

Please address each of the selection criteria for the role in the spaces provided on the application form. Drawing from your prior experience, please provide examples of where you have demonstrated the required competencies or transferable skills.

The word limit is strictly 250 words per response. The panel will not assess responses that exceed the word limit. One of the responses should be provided in Swedish.



A. In-depth understanding of Swedish political and economic policies, including an awareness of current Swedish and international affairs politics.



B. Ability to independently conduct high quality, thorough and accurate research, analyse findings to monitor trends, and present findings/reports in an appropriate manner.



C. Ability to liaise effectively, demonstrating excellent interpersonal skills, the ability to develop effective stakeholder relations and to build and maintain networks.



D. Well-developed planning and organisational skills to manage multiple tasks and priorities and meet tight deadlines with limited supervision.



E. Demonstrated ability to provide high-level translation and interpretation (both written and verbal) for documents and communications undertaken by senior stakeholders. Please answer this question in Swedish.