Economist | Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade |

Credible, timely and accurate economic and data analysis is essential to the development of evidence-based public policy. Ministers and the DFAT Executive depend on the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Economists and Data Analysts to provide them with timely and high-quality qualitative and quantitative analysis to support policy development and international advocacy.

The department is seeking highly motivated economists to work across a wide range of divisions including the Office of the Chief Economist, trade and investment divisions, development policy and climate divisions, Indo-Pacific divisions and Office of the Pacific.

You will undertake economic analysis and data investigations at the sectoral, country, regional and/ or international levels and provide advice on the implications of international economic and political developments for Australia’s trade and investment, foreign and development interests; and/or provide advice that shapes the direction and nature of Australia’s development assistance programs.

The key duties of the position include:

Economists in DFAT work across a range of foreign policy, trade and development areas.

The core capabilities of the EL1 roles will require you to:

• Supervise staff in the team;
• Build, maintain and facilitate engagement with a wide network of stakeholders (international networks and business contacts) to shape domestic economic policy agendas and Australia’s international engagement; and
• Influence key policy debates within DFAT and across the  Australian Government and advocate internally and externally on issues that could include trade and investment, development assistance programming, or international climate change negotiations.

The technical capabilities of the EL1 roles will require you to:

• Support senior staff in setting strategic direction and managing competing priorities and provide leadership to section staff;
• Leverage research methods and tools to analyse, interpret and draw conclusions from a wide range of research and data to provide (and support staff to provide) compelling and accurate analysis and graphics; and
• Lead complex economic analysis, prepare advice and briefing support on domestic, global, regional and bilateral economic issues relevant to the department’s trade, investment, development and/or foreign policy priorities.

Tertiary qualifications in economics or a related discipline are mandatory.

In addition, you will generally have at least six years of experience working as an economist in the public or private sector. Familiarity with Australia’s trade, foreign and development interests from a wide range of previous experiences is highly desirable.

Eligibility

Candidates must be Australian citizens.

The department requires the successful candidate to obtain and maintain a Negative Vetting 2 level clearance security clearance.  Loss of a security clearance at any time may lead to termination of employment.  Employment with the department can, however, commence on lower-level clearances or without a clearance, in some circumstances, and the department will work with you to facilitate this if you are successful.

Depending on the role into which you are placed, you may also be required to obtain and maintain a Working with Vulnerable People/Children registration (or equivalent).

Notes

Submit an application via the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website by Wednesday 17 November at 11:30 pm AEDT. 

For more information, contact Alan Copeland at alan.copeland@dfat.gov.au or 62612222.

RecruitAbility applies to this vacancy. Under the RecruitAbility scheme you will be invited to participate in further assessment activity for the vacancy if you choose to apply under the scheme; declare you have a disability, and meet the minimum requirements for the job.