Various Positions - LE4 Policy Officer and LE5 Senior Policy Officer - DFAT - Geneva

Title: Policy Officers / Senior Policy Officers

Type: Ongoing

Location: Geneva

Department: DFAT - Geneva

Contract: Ongoing

Classification: LE4 / LE5

Salary: CH 94,809 per annum (LE4) / CHF 108,576 per annum (LE5)

Benefits package: 20 days annual leave, 50% employer contribution to health insurance and accident insurance, and to a pension fund.

Closing date: 10 May 2026

The successful applicant(s) will be engaged as a locally engaged staff member by the Australian Permanent Mission, Geneva.

The Fair Work Act 2009 is not intended to apply to the employment of Locally Engaged Staff (LES) at Australia’s overseas diplomatic and consular missions. The successful candidate’s terms and conditions of employment will be governed by the laws of Switzerland.

Please be advised that the Australian Permanent Mission, Geneva does not assist with relocation. Any costs associated with taking up the position would be the responsibility of the successful candidate(s). This role is office based.

A standard probity check will be undertaken prior to commencement for the successful applicant(s).

Various Positions - LE4 Policy Officer and LE5 Senior Policy Officer - DFAT - Geneva

About The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

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.

DFAT is an inclusive workplace, both in Australia and across the global network, committed to embracing and projecting the diversity of the Australian community, striving to create safe work environments where staff are respected and valued, and everyone has equitable access to opportunities, and dedicated to achieving the objectives outlined in DFAT’s Inclusion, Equity and Diversity Strategy 2024-2027.

About the Positions

The Permanent Mission of Australia to the United Nations in Geneva is seeking applications to fill various roles for Policy Advisers on an ongoing and/or non-ongoing basis (with possibility of contract extension). An active merit pool will be created and maintained for 18 months to fill current and future temporary and ongoing vacancies.

Working under direction, the policy officer positions at the Permanent Mission of Australia to the United Nations in Geneva contribute to advancing Australia's interests at the United Nations in health, human rights, international peace and security, cyber and critical technology, humanitarian affairs, development, political affairs, multilateral strategy, executive coordination and/or strategic communications, depending on the specific role and Mission priorities.

The positions conduct research and analysis, develop policy advice, attend, monitor and report on UN or other multilateral meetings and policy issues, negotiate on behalf of Australia, represent Australia’s positions at formal and informal meetings, and advocate Australia’s priorities through strategic communications and public diplomacy engagements. The positions may manage partnerships with other Member States, multilateral or civil society organisations, and coordinate Mission-wide engagement on specific policy issues, and on cross-cutting themes.

All positions may be called on to provide consular services or other support during a crisis.

Key responsibilities of the positions include but are not limited to:

Depending on operational needs and the available vacancy, successful candidates may be required to perform one or more of the following key tasks or functions:

LE4 Policy Officer:

• Support the delivery of Australia’s multilateral policy priorities by participating in inter-governmental meetings and negotiations, including meetings of the World Health Organization, United Nations agencies, and other multilateral bodies, under guidance from more senior officers.
• Monitor, research and report on multilateral discussions and processes, identifying key developments and providing factual and analytical input to inform policy work.
• Coordinate and contribute to the preparation of briefings, talking points, background notes and draft statements on multilateral issues including health, human rights, humanitarian affairs, development, cyber and critical technology, and political affairs.
• Provide procedural and policy support to Australia’s engagement with selected UN Funds and Programs and other multilateral bodies, including maintaining records and tracking issues.
• Liaise with internal and external stakeholders and develop effective working relationships to exchange information, coordinate activities and support the delivery of agreed outcomes.
• Represent the Mission at routine or working-level meetings, events and receptions, conveying agreed Australian positions.
• Coordinate visit programs, meetings and events, including logistical and administrative support for Australian Government officials and visiting delegations.
• Provide day-to-day guidance and on-the-job support to less experienced staff as required.

LE5 Senior Policy Officer:

• Actively contribute to and represent Australia in multilateral negotiations and meetings, including with the World Health Organization, International Committee of the Red Cross, UN Refugee Agency, Human Rights Council, Conference on Disarmament and other multilateral fora, advancing Australia’s policy priorities.
• Undertake analysis and provide specialist policy and technical advice on multilateral issues and processes, including identifying policy risks, opportunities and strategic implications.
• Monitor, analyse and report on multilateral negotiations and developments, and provide policy recommendations to Australian Government officials.
• Prepare high-quality briefings, talking points, speeches and statements on multilateral issues including health, human rights, international peace and security, cyber and critical technology, humanitarian affairs, development and political affairs, including for Ministers, Senior Executive, Australia’s Permanent Representative and senior Mission staff.
• Manage Australia’s policy engagement and funding partnerships with selected UN Funds and Programs and other multilateral bodies, including overseeing implementation and contributing to strategic planning.
• Develop, maintain and leverage effective working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including Australian Government agencies, other multilateral posts, member state missions, UN entities and civil society organisations, to achieve policy outcomes.
• Represent Australia at official meetings, events and receptions, advocating Australia’s interests and contributing to negotiations and consensus-building.
• Plan and manage visit programs, meetings and events, coordinating inputs from multiple stakeholders and managing competing priorities.
• Supervise, mentor and support junior officers, including allocating work, providing feedback, and contributing to capability development.

Qualifications/Experience /Knowledge/Skills

• Undergraduate or graduate degree in a relevant field (such as international relations, international development, international security, human rights, law, or public administration).
• Knowledge, or the ability to quickly acquire knowledge, of Australia's multilateral, political, international development and/or security interests and positions, and the ability to apply these in a multilateral context in both technical and political processes.
• Demonstrated experience working with complex stakeholder and negotiating dynamics in multilateral or similar contexts.
• Knowledge, or the ability to quickly acquire knowledge, of relevant policy and/or technical issues in health, human rights, peace and security, cyber and critical technology, humanitarian affairs, development and/or political contexts.
• Developed skills in negotiation, verbal communication, written communication, analysis, and cross-cultural communication.
• Sound liaison and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build and maintain strong networks to achieve outcomes.
• Proven research, analytical and writing skills, with proficiency in strategic reporting.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, organise, schedule, and coordinate input from others, prioritise tasks under pressure, and adhere to tight and competing deadlines.
• Fluency in English is required.

Security Requirements

• Australian NV2 security clearance or the ability to obtain and maintain this. Therefore applicants must hold Australian citizenship to be considered.
• Please note that candidates who hold citizenship or dual citizenship of Switzerland are not eligible for an Australian Security Clearance.

How to Apply

Please provide a written pitch of no more than 500 words demonstrating your suitability to perform the key responsibilities of the position(s). The pitch is your opportunity to tell us why you are the right candidate for the role. It will be assessed on your ability to demonstrate, or have the potential to develop, the required skills, knowledge, experience and qualifications to proficiently perform the role(s). Relevant examples and accomplishments will strengthen your application.

On your application, please indicate which position you are applying for: LE4, LE5, or both.

Please note that the panel may not assess responses which exceed the word limit.

The Human Resources Section based in the Australian High Commission, London is responsible for managing all recruitment processes across the European region. To apply please click on this link: Recruitment . For further informationes click to Write an email.

We are committed to providing an inclusive and diverse workplace where all employees are valued. We appreciate the experiences, skills and perspectives of all individuals. We actively encourage applications from people from diverse backgrounds who share our values .