Job Opportunities

Senior Policy Officer

Applicants should read the Position Description and complete the application form at the link below. The application is your opportunity to tell the selection panel why you want to work in this role at the Embassy, what you can offer the Embassy and how your skills, knowledge, experience, and qualifications are applicable to the role.

Do NOT attach additional documents to your application email. If you do so, your application will NOT be considered.

Incomplete applications will not be considered. Unsuccessful applicants will not be notified.

To apply, please submit the Application Form to [email protected]

The Australian Government is a competitive and equal opportunity employer.

Applications close on Friday, 12 June 2026 at 03:00 pm.

About the position

The Senior Policy Officer undertakes detailed research and prepares high level briefing and reports on major geopolitical issues affecting the Horn of Africa, and political, security, and economic issues in Ethiopia, Djibouti, South Sudan, and the Central African Republic. The Senior Policy Officer also supports research on the African Union, UNECA, and IGAD.

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

• Research, monitor, analyse, and report on political, security, and economic, issues in Ethiopia, Djibouti, South Sudan, the Central African Republic, as well as in the African Union, Intergovernmental Authority on Development in Eastern Africa (IGAD), and UN Economic Commission for Africa.
• Develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders in government ministries, multilateral agencies, academia, think tanks, business, as well as with counterparts in other Embassies, to support Australian Embassy objectives.
• Develop and implement events to engage with key interlocutors on Australia’s international priorities, including human rights, gender equality, disability advocacy, and climate change to inform analysis and reporting.
• Represent and advocate for the Australian Government’s interests at relevant meetings and in engagements with stakeholders, as required.
• Contribute to Embassy crisis response efforts and input to consular planning activities for Ethiopia, Djibouti, South Sudan, and the Central African Republic.
• Provide back-up assistance to the other teams as required.

Required Qualifications/Experience/Knowledge/Skills

• Tertiary qualifications in relevant discipline, such as international relations, political science, peace and security, or economics.
• High-level research and analysis skills and strong general knowledge of political, economic, security and other developments affecting the Horn of Africa and the wider African continent.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, excellent interpersonal skills, including good representational skills in dealing with a wide range of clients, cultures, and expectations.
• Experience working independently and operating effectively within a team and across teams.
• Strong organisational skills and capacity to understand and support knowledge sharing in an organisational environment.
• Previous experience working on strategic, political, security, and/or economic issues in the Horn of Africa highly desirable, particularly in an Embassy, international organisation, or research institute/think tank.
• Fluency in English and Amharic essential.
• Working level knowledge of French or other Ethiopian languages desirable.