2024-25 Dfat Media And Communications Section 26 Employment Register

From 1 April 2025 the Public Service Regulations introduce a new approach to review of promotion decisions. To find out more go to mpc.gov.au

Learn how a merit list or pool may be usedLearn how a merit list or pool may be used

Applicants suitable for the role but not offered the position for the current vacancy, may be placed in a merit list or pool. If the applicant agrees, the results may be shared with other Australian Public Service (APS) agencies for filling similar roles. Applicants may be offered a future role, without the need to reapply. A merit list or pool may be used for up to 18 months.

For more information about Merit Lists or Merit Pools please go to APSC's website - The APS Merit Principle2024-25 DFAT Media and Communications Section 26 Employment RegisterCanberra ACT

Overview

Do you want to work in an agency that has one of the most diverse, responsive and critically important roles in the APS? Do you want to work in an agency that directly influences, manages, and drives Australia's overseas diplomatic agenda?

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade manages Australia's international presence – a network of over 120 embassies, highcommissions, consulates-general and representative offices across five continents – and we have over6,000 staff located in Australia and overseas.

Our staff are the diplomats, negotiators, consular officers, and advisers developing and deliveringAustralia's foreign, trade and development policy on behalf of Australia and Australians.

Who We Are

At the very heart of everything we do as a department are our people. Our people represent Australia

to the world, promoting and protecting our international interests to ensure our security and

prosperity globally. It's important to us that our people reflect the rich and diverse cultures,

experience, and background of the broader Australian community that we represent. That is why we

are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where all employees are respected for

who they are and encouraged to contribute to their full potential.

The key duties of the position include : The Opportunity

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) seeks energetic and talented media officers, digital content producers, social media and strategic communications specialists to tell our story domestically and overseas. At DFAT you will amplify Australia's influence to shape the kind of region we want to live in and protect and advance Australia's interests.

We are seeking existing ongoing APS employees, or those with current security clearances, who are interested in a temporary or permanent transfer to DFAT to work in our Media and Communications Delivery Branch.

Media officerswork in consultation with divisions across the department, our overseas posts and State and Territory offices, to lead DFAT's engagement with the media and support our Ministers as the key spokespeople for the portfolio. Media officers provide specialist media advice, coordinate responses to media enquiries, facilitate media background briefings, prepare and review media products, support DFAT's response to international crises, provide media support for domestic and overseas Ministerial visits, and provide media training to DFAT staff.

Strategic communications and social media officershelp communicate DFAT's policies and priorities to domestic and international audiences. We work across DFAT and with other government agencies to develop and implement communications strategies for foreign, trade and development policy, and our consular priorities. We also support our overseas embassies, high commissions and consulates to connect with their audiences, and with Australians overseas. This includes through DFAT's central social media channels and our network of overseas social media accounts. We also work across the department to ensure clear, coordinated and effective communications on our foreign, trade and development policies.

Website publishing officersmanage the content on DFAT intranet, DFAT website and ministerial websites. They lead the department in the implementation of best practice web standards, ensure adherence to internal and whole-of-government digital publishing policies and provide training and advice on accessibility and writing for online audiences.

Digital content producersmanage the production of content such as photographs, video, animation, livestream event coverage and social media reels. They cover key departmental, media and public events and work closely with Ministers and the Senior Executive. In all roles, we require a mixture of communications and policy officers who are comfortable engaging at all levels across the department, including our overseas posts and with other agencies, and foreign ministries.

Your application will remain valid until 30 June 2025. Applications are not carried over after this time. If you previously applied for the 2023-24 Media and Communications Permanent / Temporary Section 26 Transfer Register you will be required to submit a new application.

Eligibility

Applicants must be an ongoing APS employee and where an offer for Temporary Section 26 is made, your home agency will be required to agree to release you.

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.

The department requires the successful candidate to obtain and maintain a Negative Vetting 2 level clearance security clearance (or Baseline, Negative Vetting Level 1 or Positive Vetting (PV) where positions are designated as such in the DFAT Security Framework or PV organisational chart, respectively). Loss of a security clearance at any time may lead to termination of employment. Employment with the department can, however, commence on lower-level clearances or without a clearance, in some circumstances, and the department will work with you to facilitate this if you are successful.

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).

• Please note that this opportunity is only available to ongoing Australian Public Service employees

NotesWho to contact

Enquiries about the Media and Communications Permanent / Temporary Section 26 Transfer Register should be directed to the DFAT Recruitment Team via

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