Australian Consulate-General
Guangzhou
China

Vacancy - Consular/Passport Officer

AUSTRALIAN CONSULATE-GENERAL GUANGZHOU

DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND TRADE

VACANCY

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) section of the Australian Consulate-General Guangzhou is seeking applications from Australian nationals or holders of diplomatic visas, for the following Expatriate Level 7 vacancy:

Consular / Passport Officer

The successful applicant must be willing to undergo relevant security checks such as police clearances. A full Australian Government security clearance may be sought if the successful candidate is Australian. Locally engaged terms and conditions of service apply. The successful candidate will be responsible for their own transfer and ongoing costs associated with working in China. If necessary, the Consulate will provide a letter to assist in obtaining an appropriate work visa for China. An order of merit may also be established to fill any other short or long-term vacancies that may arise in the next twelve months.

Salary for the position begins at RMB 329,801 rising to RMB 375,276 per annum. This position is for an initial contract term until 30 June 2014, with option for renewal of 6 – 12 months, depending on funding and operational requirements.

A duty statement and selection criteria for the position are attached. Your application, written in English, must include:

  • a statement of claims for the position separately addressing each of the selection criteria (3 pages maximum);
  • curriculum vitae; and
  • contact details of two work-related referees.

Applications that do not address the selection criteria will not be considered.
Guidelines for addressing selection criteria can be found on http://www.guangzhou.china.embassy.gov.au/gzho/RecruitEn1.html

Important information relevant for applicants considering applying for this position: The duties of this role will expose the successful applicant to distressed Australian citizens and permanent residents, including detained, imprisoned, hospitalised, psychiatrically ill, destitute individuals and victims of crime. Frequent visits to monitor the welfare of Australians incarcerated in Chinese detention centres and prisons will be required. The position involves responding to consular emergencies outside of usual business hours, and frequent overnight travel.

Applications should be sent to:
Human Resources Department,
Australian Consulate-General Guangzhou,
12/F, Development Centre, No. 3 Linjiang Da Dao,
Zhujiang New Town, Guangzhou 510623
Email: [email protected]
Fax: +86 20 3814 0140

Please note that applications submitted via e-mail should be in either Word or PDF format. Human Resources Department will send out notification e-mails once the applications are received. Applicants who do not receive notification e-mails should confirm the delivery of their applications with the Human Resources Department.


For inquiries regarding this position, please contact the Human Resources Officer, Ms Rachel Zhang or Senior Administrative Officer, Mr Matthew Christie on +86 20 3814 0111.


Closing date for applications is 9.00am, Thursday 11th July 2013

Late applications will not be considered.

Duty Statement

The successful applicant will be required to work as part of the Consular and Administration team under the direction of the Senior Administrative Officer. The Consular Officer’s role is to assist with day to day management of the Consulate’s Consular and Passports program in South China. This includes processing applications for Australian travel documents, and case management of a diverse and complex consular caseload. This position requires native (or near native) English language skills, and fluency in written and spoken Mandarin. Cantonese language skills would be an advantage, but are not essential.

CONSULAR SERVICES (70%)
1. High level management of the consular caseload - including arrests/detentions, hospitalisations, medical evacuations, deaths, assault, theft and whereabouts cases of Australian citizens and permanent residents. Maintenance of statistics and written records of cases, including reporting to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra. Maintenance of hardcopy files of caseload documentation.
2. Drafting reports (in English) detailing developments in consular cases.
3. Accompany diplomatic officers on visits to imprisoned and detained Australians, and provide interpretation and translation as required.
4. Provision of advice to clients in relation to Australian Government services and Agencies, consular advice on local services such as lawyers, medical / dental facilities and emergency assistance. Maintenance of relevant information databases and local consular information.
5. High level liaison with relevant Chinese authorities regarding the consular caseload. Accompany Australian consular officials to meetings as required and provide high-level interpreting services. Preparation of official written communication for Chinese authorities in both English and Chinese.
6. Assist with preparation of the Consulate’s consular contingency plans for South China.
7. Provide on-call consular duty services.

PASSPORTS (20%)
8. Assist with management of the passport workload – including interviewing clients, accurate processing of applications within required benchmarks, confirmation of local information requested by other passport offices. Provision of accurate advice to clients (including for complex Child passport applications), maintenance of passport records, and the regular archiving of passport application documentation.
9. Processing time-critical emergency passport applications.

ADMINISTRATIVE / PROTOCOL / NOTARIAL SERVICES (10%)
10. Management of protocol procedures for Australian diplomatic staff, including the renewal of diplomatic ID cards, and diplomatic visa applications.
11. Perform a range of notarial services.
12. Perform other duties as directed.

 


Selection Criteria

1. Ability to provide high level client services to a wide range of stakeholders, including professional management of difficult and distressed clients and clients experiencing difficulties of a sensitive nature. Demonstrated strong communication and negotiation skills, including an ability to effectively liaise with Chinese police, judicial, medical and government authorities.

2. Fluent in written and spoken English and Mandarin, Cantonese language skills would be an advantage (but are not essential). Demonstrated high level interpretation and translation skills including a sound ability to prepare high-quality correspondence and reports.

3. Ability to interpret and implement Australian government legislation and policies, including an understanding (or the ability to quickly acquire an understanding) of key principles of the Privacy Act 1988 and the Freedom of Information Act 1982. Experience in computer applications such as Microsoft Office, and a demonstrated ability to acquire a strong working knowledge of Consulate specific computer applications.

4. Demonstrated sound judgement, problem solving skills, and an ability to work with limited supervision. Strong organisation and time management skills, including an ability to prioritise workloads, and work effectively as part of a team.

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