Finance & Travel Assistant (LE3)

The above position is open to Chinese and Australian nationals.

Australian nationals must be able to obtain Chinese work visa and residence permit to be able to enter and remain in China to work for the Consulate. Due to current international travel bans and strict local entry restrictions as a result of COVID-19, Australian applicants are likely to face significant obstacles when seeking residence permits or entering China. Potential applicants should familiarise themselves with the latest restrictions and processes before applying. The Australian Consulate General Shanghai does not provide relocation assistance and any costs associated with taking up the position would be the responsibility of the successful candidate.

The successful applicant will be offered an initial fixed term contract of 6 months with the possibility for extension and are subject to a probationary period.

The annual basic salary for LE3 position is CNY 124,699.2 plus the employer’s social security contributions. Where the successful candidate is an Australian national, he/she will receive an allowance in lieu of the employer’s social security contributions. Superannuation contribution will be deducted from the allowance for an Australian tax resident.

Your application, written in English and addressed in the title ‘Application for Finance &Travel Assistant + your name’, must include:

· A one page pitch of no more than 1000 words outlining how your skills, experience and qualifications make you the best person for the job;

· Curriculum vitae including your nationality and country of residency. If you are an Australian citizen in China, please advise your Chinese visa category.

· Contact details for two work-related referees (at least one should be your current or recent supervisor)

Applications and inquiries should be emailed to acgshanghai.recruitment@dfat.gov.au. Closing date for applications is 5pm, Wednesday 26 July 2023.  Please consider your application unsuccessful if you have not received any contact within four weeks from the closing date.

What should I include in my pitch?

· Your one page pitch is a chance to tell us why you are the right person for the job. We want to know why you want to work at the Australian Consulate General, why you are interested in the role, what you can offer us, and how your skills, knowledge, experience and qualifications are applicable to the role.  In a nutshell – why should we hire you?

· Try not to duplicate information that can already be found in your resume, but do highlight any specific examples or achievements that will demonstrate your ability to perform the role.

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 direction of the Accountant, the position involves processing and reviewing payments, calculating employee entitlements and organising staff travel.

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

· Perform the processing of the Consulate’s finance operations using SAP in accordance with departmental guidelines and legislative requirements;

· Manage all aspects of the travel, including the travel register, movement requisition, travel acquittal and the payment of travel allowance to staff

· Liaise with Bank on administration, transaction and account opening/closing matters;

· Process A-based medical contributions, refunds and other payments;

· Maintain the debtors’ register and issue debt notices for monies owed to the Consulate-General;

· Provide assistance and advice when required for administrative support services, including understanding, responding to and resolving enquiries on a range of finance, human resource, property, or general administrative services

· Perform a range of corporate services including processing VAT claims, preparing documentation and drafting replies and routine correspondence

· Establish, develop and maintain strong working relationships with a range of key internal and external stakeholders including with building management and partner agencies

· Assist with the procurement of the Consulate’s stationery, equipment and/or other office provisions in accordance with departmental guidelines

· Perform other duties and back-up as required.

Qualifications/Experience

· Ability to solve problems and achieve results.

· Analytical skills, including an ability to check the accuracy of information and perform quality assurance tasks.

· Strong interpersonal and communications skills, including an ability to work productively as part of a team and consult with internal and external stakeholders.

· Ability to work with limited supervision, handle multiple tasks simultaneously and set priorities.  Demonstrated ability to undertake new tasks quickly, to adapt to different work environments and to respond effectively to challenges.

· Flexibility and adaptability, especially when implementing change.

· Computer skills, including working knowledge of the Microsoft Office suite of products.

· English and Mandarin language skills.

Desirable

· Experience in using a finance management system such as SAP.