Adviser - Le5 - Agriculture - Rome

The successful applicant will be engaged as a locally engaged staff member by the Australian Embassy, Rome and will be required from February 2025 to September 2026.

**About the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry**

The role of the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) is to work with national governments, international organisations, and industry partners to grow the value of Australia’s agricultural trade and reduce risks to our agriculture sector to ensure that Australia's agricultural, fisheries, food and forestry industries remain competitive, profitable and sustainable.

Our work contributes to promoting agricultural productivity in our primary industries, supporting sustainable, high-quality natural resources to benefit primary producers and the community, and maintaining and improving market access for our primary producers. The Department has a network of overseas officers to manage the agricultural relationships with key partners and organisations.

**About the Position**

Under limited direction, the Adviser works to support the Counsellor (Agriculture) to strengthen Australia’s strategic engagement and partnerships with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and its Member States.

The key responsibilities include but are not limited to:

- Perform complex research and provide accurate and timely technical advice to the Counsellor (Agriculture) and DAFF on matters relating to food security and agriculture within the mandate of the FAO by collecting, monitoring, analysing and evaluating information, papers and related materials.
- Develop and manage relationships with relevant stakeholders including FAO management and staff, FAO Members, Australian industry and research groups to progress key priorities.
- In coordination with the Canberra-based FAO team in DAFF, support the Counsellor (Agriculture) to participate in FAO meetings and processes, including through the preparation of briefings, statements and other materials.
- Represent Australia at meetings and report on key developments.
- Provide support to the Counsellor (Agriculture) and DAFF including but not limited to: writing cables, reports of meetings, records of conversations, presentations, talking points.
- Assist with preparations for FAO meetings including research, collating documentation, briefing, registration and administrative functions.
- Organise and facilitate programs for visiting government officials, Ministers, Australian industry or research institutions, including meetings and other events.
- This position will be required to work outside standard working hours from time-to-time depending on the FAO’s schedule and visit programs.

**Qualifications/Experience**
- Sound understanding of agricultural policy including demonstrated strong capacity in public policy monitoring, analysis and implementation.
- Ability to take initiative, set priorities and organise work effectively and efficiently, and to complete work with limited supervision.
- A high level of written and oral proficiency in English with a proven ability to prepare written materials to document analysis and findings in a logical, succinct and persuasive manner.
- Excellent teamwork, interpersonal and stakeholder management skills, including experience working with senior representatives of government and industry.
- Ability to maintain professional and courteous demeanour in highly political contexts.
- High level of proficiency with information technology systems, especially Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel and PowerPoint)

**Desirable**
- Experience working in the FAO, UN, or other large multilateral environment.
- Understanding of Australian agricultural policy settings, or ability to develop this knowledge.
- Italian language skills

**Selection Criteria**

In your written statements, you must include relevant high-level examples from your experience that support your claims against the role. The word limit is strictly 250 words per response. The panel will not assess responses which exceed the word limit.

A. A high-level of understanding of agricultural policy with demonstrated strong capacity in public policy monitoring, analysis and implementation, including in a regulatory context.

B. Proven ability to undertake comprehensive independent research and analysis, with a demonstrated ability to provide advice and recommendations to stakeholders in relation to international agricultural trade and market access.

C. Well-developed written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to network and develop strategically useful relationships across a broad range of stakeholders.

D. Well-developed planning and organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities and achieve required outcomes with limited supervision.

E. Experience in organising representational events or visits involving senior stakeholders.

We are looking for an Advis