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Office Manager

Australian Government’s Department of Home Affairs

The Department of Home Affairs is a central policy agency, providing coordinated strategy and policy leadership for Australia's national and transport security, federal law enforcement, criminal justice, cyber security, border, immigration, multicultural affairs, emergency management and trade related functions.


Immigration Programs Division delivers the permanent migration and temporary visa programs to maximise the long-term economic and social benefits to Australia across the Skilled, Family and Resident Return visa programs, and through Temporary entry to support tourism, education and international relations.


About the position

The Office Manager reports directly to the Principal Migration Officer and is responsible for the overall day-to-day management of financial, asset, programme, personnel and workplace issues across the Home Affairs office in Beijing. Operating under limited direction, the Office Manager is expected to provide high-level executive support to the Principal Migration Officer, identifying and resolving issues as they emerge, and representing Home Affairs at senior levels within the Embassy.

The position also plays a pivotal role in providing an understanding of, and liaison point for, interaction with the Chinese central government in Beijing.


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

  • Provide high-level and strategic advice to Home Affairs post management on financial management, administrative, consular, property, protocol, information management and security resources to support post objectives.

  • Provide advice on the operations of Chinese Government Departments and legislation applicable in China in relation to labour laws, contracting and ad hoc requests.

  • Develop plans (including implementation plans) for the work area and contribute to strategic planning for longer term management initiatives.

  • Manage the development, formulation and review of the Home Affairs budget and financial operations and align strategic direction and objectives for policies and services in accordance with the organisational guidelines.

  • Manage human resources for the Home Affairs office, including identifying training needs, providing induction for new staff, leading and participating in recruitment and selection processes, maintaining statistical and financial records on staffing levels and maintaining sensitive records relating to staffing matters.

  • Maintain extensive knowledge of and compliance with legislative, financial and administrative frameworks, government/post decision-making processes and department/post guidelines and regulations.

  • Analyse, interpret and apply complex legislation and policy as well as exercise decision making delegations in relation to Immigration and Citizenship.

  • Manage and coordinate administration and logistics for Australian-based staff, including travel, accommodation, financial and medical entitlements and office administration and logistics as required.

  • Manage complex contracts with third party providers in accordance with departmental guidelines.

  • Oversee the management of visit arrangements for Ministerial and other official delegation visits including logistics, planning, and budgeting, liaising with other agencies and external providers.

  • Provide high-level advice to Australian-based staff on managing and allocating human, physical and IT resources.

  • Develop, strengthen and maintain strategic relationships with various stakeholders. including Home Affairs headquarters, attached agencies and external stakeholders including the host-country’s Ministries, contractors and suppliers.

  • Represent and promote the interests of Australia at a range of forums, events and meetings and provide advice on operational and policy issues.

  • Establish work priorities, monitor office performance, and provide regular feedback.


Qualifications/Experience

  • Completion of a tertiary level qualification is desired.

  • Highly developed written and oral English language skills are essential and fluency in Mandarin is desirable.

  • Highly developed management, organisational, leadership and interpersonal skills. Ability to coordinate and contribute to corporate, financial, human and physical resource management of the office as well as other general administrative matters.

  • Understanding of the operations of the Chinese Government and relevant departments is essential.

  • Proven organisational abilities and successful workload management practices in order to deliver in a high-pressured environment of tight deadlines and competing priorities.

  • Ability to work independently with limited supervision and have high levels of judgement and initiative, in addition to an ability to provide quality advice to senior managers.

  • Strong leadership, management and interpersonal skills in order to support day-to-day operations.

  • Well-developed experience in the use of office computer systems and the aptitude to quickly acquire new skills as necessary to deal with IT problems. Knowledge of Home Affairs systems and processes is highly desirable.

  • Ability to interpret and apply legislation and policy as well as exercise decision-making delegations in relation to Immigration and Citizenship services, as necessary.


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:

Please email your application to beijinghrrecruitment@dfat.gov.au before 17:00 on Tuesday, 30 May 2023. 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 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.



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