Employment

Locally Engaged Level 4 – Policy Officer (Communications and Direct Aid Program Manager)

Ongoing or Fixed-term; Probation period of three months may be applicable; Full-time (37.5 hours a week)
BRL 9361 – 10133 per month (pre-tax and other benefits)
Brasília, Brazil

About the Australian Government’s 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 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 Position

Under general direction, the Policy Officer is responsible for the day-to-day management and coordination of the public diplomacy, communications and Direct Aid Program (DAP) activities, including financial and purchasing, of the Australian Embassy in Brazil. The officer will also contribute to research and reporting tasks and undertakes translation and interpreting as required. This position in the Political Economic Team supervises participants in the Embassy’s regular internship program and will assist the Team in wider duties when the need arises. This position provides backup support to other positions, including Executive Assistant to the Ambassador, and may be required to travel for site visits.

The key responsibilities for this position include, but are not limited to:

Under guidance coordinate, oversee and advise on implementation of the embassy’s strategic communications and public diplomacy strategy.
In consultation with Post Management, develop and deliver public diplomacy activities which present a positive view of Australia through showcasing Australia’s cultural life, multiculturalism, Indigenous culture, sporting and other achievements.
Develop and maintain networks with relevant Brazilian stakeholders including community organisations, Congress and government officials, private sector representatives, international and regional organisations, and the media to promote Australia’s interests.
Manage and grow the embassy’s social media and digital communications, including overseeing multimedia content, analysing trends, and identifying new opportunities.
Proactively grow the alumni network by planning and organising alumni events and connecting alumni with embassy initiatives.
Manage and coordinate the Direct Aid Program under guidance, including liaising with stakeholders, preparing contracts and reports, and monitoring and reviewing program delivery.
Under guidance undertake audits, risk assessments, risk management activities, to inform the development of the DAP Risk Management Strategy.
Undertake procurement, financial and acquittal processes in accordance with department guidelines, ensuring integrity of the processes.
Monitor public diplomacy and direct aid program budgets, report on expenditure and reconcile payments.
Represent and promote the interests of Australia at a range of events and meetings and provide advice on Australian participation.
Assist with arranging and coordinating programs for ministerial and other official visits from Australia as required.

Selection criteria

Qualifications in a relevant field are desirable but not mandatory.
Experience in a relevant field, involving communications, public relations, events or aid management would be beneficial.
Strong written and oral communication and a demonstrated ability to translate between, and work in, English and Portuguese.
Strong interpersonal skills with a teamwork attitude, and the ability to establish and maintain effective networks and relationships.
Strong organisational skills and attention to detail, especially regarding event management.
Demonstrated ability to work with limited direction; flexibility, adaptability and initiative; ability to prioritise a busy workload, work under pressure and to meet deadlines with close attention to detail.
Demonstrated ability to take initiative, recognise opportunities for improvement, and implement change and ability to work independently within a small team.
Experience working with social media and relevant communication, design and video editing software.
Experience in managing budgets, financial acquittal processes and electronic data management systems.

How to apply

To be considered for this position please submit via email to [email protected] a resume with a covering letter detailing relevant experience (both in English). The covering letter should be no more than one-page.

Closing date for applications: Sunday, 9 August 2026, 23:59

Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.

Additional Information

Start date is subject to satisfactory pre-employment (medical and security) checks being completed. Only individuals with full work rights in Brazil are eligible to apply for this position.

Applicants for this role may be considered for a merit pool. This means that while you may not receive an offer of employment in the process you applied for, you may be considered for similar roles that arise at the Embassy over the next 18 months.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What should I include in my resume/CV?

An effective resume/CV is a brief statement of your relevant employment history, qualifications, experience and training, preferably no more than four pages. It should be easy to read, succinct, neatly set out and relevant to the role you are applying for. It should include:

Personal details—your name, contact email address and phone numbers.
Education—details of relevant education and qualifications.
Work experience—detail your work experience and highlight the main responsibilities and achievements that are relevant to the job you are applying for. Organise your employment history in chronological order, starting with the most recent, and indicate actual dates of employment. You should look to explain any gaps in employment where possible.
Referees—the name and contact details of two (2) referees who can validate and support your application. One (1) of your referees must be your current Supervisor. If there are sensitivities around the department contacting your referees without prior notice, you can indicate this within the application.

Tip – have someone else review your CV/resume. Ask them if the information is clear and the format is simple. Make it as easy as possible for the reader!

What should I include in my pitch?

Your pitch is your opportunity to tell us why you are the right fit for a position with the department. When planning your pitch, you should take into consideration the role and the key duties, and capabilities required.

The committee should be able to clearly identify how your experience, knowledge, skills, and qualifications make you a suitable candidate. You should write your application in plain English, spell out any acronyms, and explain any background context that the reader should know about.

You are not expected to detail a different example for each capability. You may only have room for one or two examples, so try to think of situations where you used a number of your capabilities to deliver the outcome.

How will my application be assessed?

Your application will be assessed against the requirements of the job. Once the entire applicant pool has been assessed, the committee will create a shortlist of applicants. If your application is shortlisted, you may be asked to undertake further assessment, this may include work sample testing, interviews, and reference checks.

What is a merit pool?

Merit pools may be established as part of an externally advertised merit-based recruitment process where there are more suitable applicants than available vacancies. The department can access merit pools for 18 months from the date the vacancy was first advertised. If a candidate is found suitable via the recruitment process and placed in a merit pool, it doesn’t constitute a formal offer of employment.