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 travelers 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, The Senior Policy Analyst undertakes detailed research and preparation of complex reports, regarding major geopolitical issues affecting the Horn of Africa and key strategic, political, and economic issues in Ethiopia, Djibouti, South Sudan, and the Central African Republic.

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

• Undertake detailed research and prepare complex reports, including on

• major geopolitical issues including Ethiopia’s relations with its neighbors, and the role of major powers in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea.

• key security, political and economic issues in Ethiopia, Djibouti, South Sudan and the Central African Republic and 

• Australia’s international priorities, including human rights, gender equality, climate change and the displacement and movement of people across borders. 

• Develop and maintain an extensive network of relevant contacts in government agencies, resident United Nations agencies, media, academia, think tanks and business, as well as counterparts in other missions in Ethiopia, Djibouti, South Sudan, CAR and the African Union.

• Conceive, design and manage events and engagements with key interlocutors on research questions set by the mission policy team 

• Monitor local and regional media, government and international organisations’ statements and publications and develop and maintain a database of key documents supporting the Australian Embassy’s research and analytical work 

• Contribute to Embassy crisis response efforts and input to consular planning activities, in particular for Ethiopia, Djibouti, South Sudan and CAR. • Play a key role in the design and delivery of local knowledge management systems supporting the policy functions of the Australian Embassy Senior Policy Analyst – Addis Ababa 

• Represent the Australian Government as required, at relevant meetings.

• Mentor junior staff to develop additional skills in order to enhance their analytical and reporting capacity 

The Australian Embassy runs a small team of policy officers, and from time to time, the Senior Policy Analyst will be required to back up and assist with tasks outside these key responsibilities. 

Agency: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Position number: 11086

Classification: LE5

Section: Policy Section

Reports to (title): Deputy Head of Mission (DHOM)

Job Requirements

Qualifications/Experience

• High-level research and analysis skills

• Very strong written and oral communication skills, excellent interpersonal skills, including good representational skills in dealing with a wide range of clients, cultures and expectations 

• English fluency, and fluency in Ethiopian languages essential. 

• Strong general knowledge of political, economic, security and other developments affecting the Horn of Africa and the wider African continent 

• Strong organizational skills 

• Capacity to understand and support knowledge sharing in an organizational environment, and 

• Ability to work independently

How to Apply

Register using the following LINK