Applications close at 11:30pm AEDT, Sunday 22 February 2026
The Opportunities
We are seeking high-performing APS6 Program Officers and Assistant Directors to support and lead the delivery of high-impact community and business engagement, communications and strategic capability programs that advance Australia’s national interest.
Roles span community engagement, strategic communications, business and stakeholder engagement, grants and program delivery, and support to senior executives and boards.
Working under the direction of senior staff, you will contribute to policy, communications and program delivery in a dynamic and complex operating environment. You will support engagement with communities, businesses and stakeholder networks across government, industry, academia and civil society, contributing to initiatives aligned with government priorities.
You will assist with planning and delivering community outreach, external engagement and public diplomacy activities, including events and visits. You will prepare high-quality briefs, correspondence and reports, and contribute to managing risks in sensitive policy and communications contexts.
The role includes supporting strategic communications and external engagement activities, such as maintaining communications platforms, coordinating contracts and suppliers, and assisting with the delivery of high-profile events and public programs. You will work closely with internal and external stakeholders to ensure communications activities are accurate, timely and aligned with policy objectives.
You will support the administration and delivery of grant-funded programs, contributing to program design, assessment, contract management, monitoring and reporting in accordance with governance and accountability requirements.
The role contributes to strengthening Australia’s China/India capability through support to engagement with think tanks, universities, sub-national governments and industry. You will also assist with board and committee processes, and provide support to senior staff and junior officers where required.
Chinese and/or Indian language skills are highly desirable.
Our ideal candidates are high-performing APS6 officers with strong delivery capability, sound judgement and a collaborative approach. You will bring:
* Demonstrated ability to deliver high-quality work under direction, using initiative and judgement to manage tasks and contribute to outcomes.
* Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing briefs, correspondence and reports for diverse audiences.
* Experience supporting community and external engagement activities in a professional and culturally sensitive manner.
* Experience contributing to communications activities, including maintaining digital platforms, coordinating suppliers or contracts, and supporting public or ministerial engagement.
* Well-developed interpersonal skills and the ability to build productive working relationships.
* Strong organisational skills, including managing competing priorities in a high-volume environment.
* Sound analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify issues, escalate risks appropriately and contribute solutions.
* Professionalism and integrity, including discretion in handling sensitive information.
* A flexible, team-oriented approach and willingness to contribute across a range of activities.
* Desirable experience and capabilities.
* Experience in bilateral, regional, trade, economic or stakeholder engagement, including working at the intersection of policy, public diplomacy and external outreach.
* Experience or interest in capability-building or grant-based program delivery.
* Relevant experience on China or India.
* Fluent Chinese and/or Indian language ability.
All employees of the department are expected to abide by the APS Values and Code of Conduct and the DFAT Values Statement.
Our ideal candidates are high-performing EL1 officers with strong leadership capability, judgement and stakeholder engagement skills. You will bring:
* Demonstrated ability to work with a high level of autonomy and deliver outcomes in complex and fast-changing environments.
* Strong leadership capability, including mentoring and developing staff and fostering a collaborative, high-performing team culture.
* Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to provide clear, persuasive and risk-informed advice to senior executives and boards.
* Experience leading community and stakeholder engagement and/or strategic communications, with highly developed relationship-management and negotiation skills.
* Strong analytical and problem-solving capability, including the ability to anticipate issues, navigate complexity and shape strategic solutions.
* High levels of professionalism and integrity, including discretion in handling sensitive information.
* A collaborative, adaptable and proactive approach, contributing flexibly across a broad portfolio of work.
Desirable experience and capabilities:
* Experience in bilateral, regional, trade, economic or stakeholder engagement, including working at the intersection of policy, public diplomacy and external outreach.
* Experience or interest in capability-building or grant-based program delivery.
* Relevant experience on China or India.
* Fluent Chinese or Indian language ability
All employees of the department are expected to abide by the APS Values and Code of Conduct and the DFAT Values Statement.
The key duties of the position include:
Under direction, the APS6 officer will:
* Support community and stakeholder engagement activities across government, industry, academia, media and civil society.
* Contribute to strategic communications and public engagement activities, including events, outreach and ministerial support.
* Assist in the provision of advice relating to risk-informed industry and business engagement in priority sectors.
* Contribute to capability-building initiatives with external partners, including think tanks, universities and sub-national governments.
* Prepare briefs, correspondence and reports to support senior staff and executives.
* Support the administration and delivery of grant-funded programs, including supporting program design, assessment and reporting.
* Liaise with internal stakeholders to support alignment with policy and communications objectives.
* Provide secretariat and administrative support to boards, committees and meetings.
Your duties and responsibilities will be aligned to the relevant APS Work Level Standards.
The Assistant Director will:
* Lead community and stakeholder engagement with priority communities and targeted networks across government, industry, academia, media and civil society.
* Design, deliver and oversee strategic communications and public engagement activities.
* Provide high-quality, strategic and risk-informed advice to senior executives on sensitive and complex issues.
* Lead capability-building initiatives with external partners.
* Plan and deliver major public programs and flagship events.
* Manage a portfolio of grant-funded programs with end-to-end accountability.
* Build and maintain strong internal and external relationships to ensure alignment with policy objectives.
* Support governance and advisory processes, including boards and committees.
* Mentor and supervise staff, contributing to performance and capability development.
* Act for the Director as required.
Eligibility
Under section 22(8) of the Public Service Act 1999, employees must be Australian citizens to be employed in the Australian Public Service (APS) unless the Agency Head has agreed otherwise, in writing
Depending on the role into which you are placed, you may also be required to obtain and maintain a Working with Vulnerable People/Children registration (or equivalent)