Program Manager, Locally Engaged Officer, Home Affairs

REPORTS TO (TITLE): Principal Migration Officer, Shanghai

About the 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

With limited direction, the Program Manager will manage complex relationships and manage the Shanghai visa processing teams and associated visa caseloads.

As part of the management team, the position contributes to the setting of priorities and monitors visa processing reporting and analysis of visa caseloads in line with program manager responsibilities, as well as overseeing the day to day activities of the office and staff and reporting. 

The role will also liaise closely with the Principal Migration Officer, China Visitor Program Manager and Local Program Managers at other Posts and provide leadership and direction to Team Leaders in Shanghai.

The position will also have a considerable rolein ensuring positive client experiences and will manage complex client relationships and escalated enquiries and issues.

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

· Monitor, analyse and report relevant information with a focus on the China Visitor visa program and other caseloads

· Develop and deliver high-level strategic briefings, plan work, develop objectives for short-term tasks and contribute to strategic planning for longer-term initiatives

· Identify and deliver innovative business and process improvements and strategies which support the consistent delivery of China Visitor and other visa caseloads across mainland China posts.

· Manage complex escalated enquiries/cases and issues

· Undertake risk assessments and contribute to / develop strategies to ensure the continuation of the China Visitor and other visa programs in the event of unforeseen events.

· Lead and manage processing teams to support visa program delivery by identifying caseload risk and recommending and implementing effective risk treatments.

· As part of the senior management team at post, establish and set work priorities, monitor performance, and provide regular feedback and training for visa processing teams

· Work collaboratively with other China visa program delivery teams to implement the priorities of the region

· Provide a high level of support to Home Affairs Australian-based staff including promoting a good understanding of Australian government and community expectations within the office.

· Provide high quality program, service and policy interpretation to Australian-based and local staff

· Provide professional services including case management and case reviews for complex cases

· Assist in preparations for Ministerial and other official delegation visits

· Develop and update office policies, procedures and directions, and provide leadership on corporate governance and client service issues

Qualifications/Experience/Capabilities

· Excellent written and oral language skills in English and Mandarin as well as the ability to interpret and translate between these languages.

· Demonstrated ability to liaise effectively with multiple stakeholders.

· A strong understanding of the visa processing and integrity systems or a demonstrated ability to quickly learn new systems.

· Demonstrated experience interpreting and applying legislation and policy to support processes.

· Ability to work independently while under pressure and manage multiple deadlines at once.

· Demonstrated ability to lead and mentor staff, and to work effectively with other team members, in a culturally diverse environment.

· High degree of personal drive and integrity, and the ability to work flexibly and adapt to changing requirements.

· Experience working in a client service role or managing delivery programs would be an advantage

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. 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 12 months with the possibility for extension and are subject to a probationary period.

The annual basic salary for this position is CNY 353,713.2 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. Australian Superannuation Guarantee Contribution (SGC) will be deducted from the allowance for an Australian tax resident.

Your application, written in English, addressed in the title ‘Application for Program Manager + 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 recruitment-sh-diac@dfat.gov.au. Closing date for applications is 17:00pm, Monday, 17 July 2023.  Please consider your application unsuccessful if you have not received any contact within four weeks from the closing date.