China Alumni Engagement Manager
About the Australian 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.
DFAT 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 China Alumni and New Colombo Plan (NCP) Engagement Manager (“China Alumni Engagement Manager”) leads work by Australia’s Embassy and Consulates in China to develop and execute, with a high degree of autonomy, an alumni, New Colombo Plan (NCP), and youth engagement strategy.
The China Alumni Engagement Manager works across Australia’s Embassy and Consulates in China, and with Australian Government agencies, State and Territory governments, Australian universities, and other stakeholder organisations with the aim to develop and strengthen engagement with Chinese alumni of Australian education institutions in China. This position is the Australian Embassy’s main interface with Australian alumni and youth networks in China. It provides advice to the Australian Government on alumni engagement, and to Australian universities and businesses operating in China, on developing and leveraging alumni networks. The China Alumni Engagement Manager is responsible for managing related NCP and alumni budgets, including planning and tracking expenditure and reporting.
The position may act in the more senior role of Manager (Public Diplomacy) as required. Some travel within mainland China may be required.
The key responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to:
Develop and implement an alumni engagement strategy for Australia’s Embassy and Consulates in China, in consultation with DFAT’s relevant central units in Canberra, relevant Australian Government agencies, universities, the business community, alumni and youth networks.
Organise alumni events and functions within the Beijing Embassy’s jurisdiction and provide advice and support to the Australian Consulates in Chengdu, Shanghai, Shenyang and Guangzhou to organise engagement activities in their jurisdictions. Seek opportunities to engage alumni in other relevant public diplomacy events hosted by posts, including events for visiting leaders and ministers.
Lead the strategic planning and delivery of large-scale events and complex initiatives, employing a wide range of skills including stakeholder engagement, relationship building, networking, negotiation, event management, visit planning, speech writing, cable writing, and representational duties.
Manage NCP and alumni budgets, including planning and tracking expenditure and reporting.
Build the profile of alumni networks in China, including by leveraging posts’ online and social media platforms, including WeChat and Weibo.
Develop incentives for alumni to engage, including through networking and other opportunities.
Lead post’s implementation of the government’s flagship initiative, the New Colombo Plan (NCP) in China. Design and implement post’s program to promote the NCP and build university, government and business support for the program in China. Ensure NCP participants are integrated into alumni and public diplomacy engagement activities and connected at an early stage with current active alumni and youth networks.
Develop and lead initiatives with the aim to strengthen posts’ engagement with relevant alumni networks, for example:
- Institution-based alumni communities
- the Australia-China Alumni Association
- the Australia-China Youth Association
- the Australia-China Young Professionals Initiative
- the Australian Chamber of Commerce in China (AustCham), and Advance.org.
Qualifications/Experience:
Relevant experience in developing and managing alumni or other stakeholder networks.
Knowledge of the Australian and Chinese education sectors, particularly universities, and as is relevant to alumni engagement is desirable. A good understanding of Australian Government foreign affairs, trade, and international education policy priorities.
A very high standard of written and spoken English is essential. Proficiency in written and spoken Mandarin Chinese is desirable. Well-developed interpersonal skills, including the ability to develop networks, and to communicate and liaise with internal and external stakeholders, in a professional, effective, and helpful manner.
Under limited supervision, ability to manage projects and resources. This includes organising small and large-scale events, budget development and management, planning and implementation. Ability to organise and set priorities, perform under pressure, and complete projects and assignments in a timely manner.
Experience in leveraging online and social media platforms to develop networks and promote events. An ability to manage contact databases.
What the Australian Embassy offers:
Attractive remuneration package that includes performance bonuses, additional insurance coverage, 14 public holidays and generous leave provisions.
Safe and secure workplace where safety of employees is a high priority and a diverse and inclusive workplace is actively promoted.
Opportunity to work in a diplomatic mission and interact with colleagues from a broad range of interesting areas.
Opportunity to learn new skills and meet unique challenges.
How to Apply
Your application, written in English, should include:
Curriculum Vitae (maximum 2 pages)
Application for Locally Engaged Staff Employment (please see Attachment A)
Maximum 500 words pitch (further instructions below).
Please email your application to beijinghrrecruitment@dfat.gov.au before 17:00 on Sunday, 30 June 2024. Applications received after this time will not be considered.
Applications must be in either Microsoft Word or PDF format, with a maximum email size of 3MB.
For further information about this position, please refer to https://china.embassy.gov.au/bjngchinese/aboutjobvacancy.html and contact beijinghrrecruitment@dfat.gov.au.
Please note that only applicants short-listed for interview will receive a written reply. If you have not received any communication from the Human Resources Section of the Australian Embassy within four weeks after the close of application, please consider your application unsuccessful. Thank you for your understanding and your interest in working at the Australian Embassy, Beijing.