Careers with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
General Recruitment - Overview
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General Recruitment
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is responsible for the Australian Government's international relations, trade and development assistance programs through our headquarters in Canberra and our missions around the world (ie. Australia's Embassies, High Commissions Consulates and Offices).
To carry out these tasks the Department employs over 2000 people on a permanent basis, of whom about 520 are serving overseas at any one time. We also employ a large number of locally engaged staff at our overseas missions. We currently have over 90 posts overseas and an office in each Australian state and territory capital as well as an additional Passport Office in Newcastle, New South Wales.
The Australian Trade Commission (Austrade), ACIAR, EFIC and the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) are also part of the Government's Foreign Affairs and Trade portfolio. Each agency runs its own separate recruitment program. Details of their recruitment opportunities can be found on their websites.
The Department's greatest resource is its staff, both Australian and locally engaged staff. We look for, and value:
- responsiveness, especially to the Government we serve, but also to a wide range of other clients, such as parliament, business and individual members of the Australian public;
- knowledge of the international environment and issues relevant to the promotion and protection of Australia's national interests;
- the capacity to operate with sensitivity in many distinct cultural environments, while projecting clearly and confidently our Australian identity;
- vigilance in the protection of the great quantity of sensitive information handled in the Department, both in Australia and abroad;
- high standards of ethical and personal conduct, especially abroad where, in representing Australia, officers have a real impact on our international reputation;
- comprehensive and contemporary management approaches, encompassing best practice, family friendly policies, continuous improvement, performance evaluation, strict accountability and a strong commitment to training and development; and
- personal and corporate flexibility, versatility and adaptability, all of which are demanded in a portfolio characterised by a uniquely diverse agenda and an often demanding and unpredictable environment.
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