View Vacancy – AUS (Canberra) – Political Support Officer, AO
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Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Policy & Political roles)
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Political
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Main purpose of the job:
Support the UK’s prosperity, foreign policy, climate and soft power agendas by assisting our policy teams with policy projects, project management, finance, logistics and corporate communications. The successful candidate will be a strong team player – someone who can work on their own initiative and who is prepared to be flexible and responsive to support business needs.
Please note that this job specification may be subject to change in line with evolving business priorities.
- Provide budgetary, administrative and project management support across the High Commission’s political teams. The jobholder will also conduct research to support policy team reporting across a broad range of Australian government policy.
- Support the Visit’s Officer to arrange official visits and events, including at ministerial and senior official level, to and from Australia, and lead on visits as required. Support the Visit’s Officer with event management, including planning, venue and stakeholder research, compilation of guest lists, invitations and other arrangements, lead on events as required.
- Assist in managing and responding to public enquiries (telephone and email).
- Administration of the diplomatic reporting exchange system between the FCDO and DFAT.
- Management of High Commission programme funding, including financial management. You will be required to stay abreast of developments in FCDO project management guidance and use your knowledge to promote best practice to colleagues.
- Assist with proposal writing and project delivery as required. Provide purchasing support for the Political Teams e.g. requisitions, quote comparisons, event and conference registrations.
- Manage the BHC Salesforce contacts’ database, ensuring it is an up-to-date and effective tool to support event management.
- Act as secretariat for the High Commission’s ‘campaign groups,’ which act as a coordinating function for the British Government’s policy priorities.
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- Strong IT skills, with good knowledge of Microsoft Office and database management.
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- Events or project management experience would be an asset but good organisational skills, the ability to work at pace and a can-do attitude are just as important. In return we offer the opportunity to experience all aspects of the High Commission’s political work and to hone your skills of diplomacy, project management and visits/events delivery.
- Finance and budgeting skills.
- Research and report writing and a demonstrated interest in public policy.
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Changing and Improving, Delivering at Pace, Managing a Quality Service, Working Together
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26 January 2026
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Administrative Officer (AO)
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Full-time, Permanent
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38
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Asia Pacific
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Australia
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Canberra
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British High Commission
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1
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AUD
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AU$84,928 per annum paid out per month + 12% superannuation
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yearly
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16 March 2026
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Salary is at $84,928 per annum + 12% superannuation
Appointment is subject to an AFP records check and UK security clearance.
Open to Australian citizens, and New Zealand, Canada, UK, or US passport holders who hold a valid visa with permission to work and reside in Australia (this also includes dependants of UK based diplomatic officers posted to Australia). Due to the role responsibilities and requirements, the successful applicant must be capable of achieving SC(O) level clearance. Applicants must possess the appropriate passport and visa as part of the pre-employment requirements. Please note that achieving SC(O) clearance may take about 8 weeks.
Staff recruited locally by the British Consulate General and its Consulates is subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local Australian employment law. Interstate applicants will be required to meet their own travel and relocation expenses.
The British High Commission supports flexible working. The successful applicant would ordinarily be expected to be present in the office in Canberra on a minimum of 3 days per week -this requirement may be changed over time. Any deviation from this work pattern would need to be negotiated with the Hiring Manager before appointment. Due to the time difference, evening calls to the UK are occasionally required; the job holder will be encouraged to take time off in lieu.
The British High Commission in Canberra is the location for this position, working alongside other policy team staff on our bilateral agenda. Business travel to other Australian cities will sometimes be required, for events and stakeholder engagement, normally 2-3 days at a time. There may be occasional opportunities to travel overseas to participate in conferences and events.
Learning and development opportunities (and any specific training courses to be completed):
The successful applicant will have the opportunity to develop a variety of skills and competences on the job, including event management, project management and policy skills.
The British High Commission actively promotes continuous development, and the jobholder will have access to a full range of learning development opportunities including through the UK’s recently established Diplomatic Academy. If they wish to, they will be able to work towards the City and Guilds Diploma in UK Foreign Policy and Diplomacy.
The British High Commission offers a wide range of learning and development opportunities, including job-specific training as necessary and broader learning linked to the FCDO’s International Academy. This includes newly developed online modules on international technology. There are also opportunities to job-shadow other staff, and the successful applicant will be encouraged to take part in broader UK Government activities. The UK Government is committed to providing all staff with learning and development (L&D) opportunities and we will work with you to develop your own L&D plan.
Working Patterns:
The jobholder will be expected to work full-time in the High Commission office though some flexibility can be agreed on timings and expectations.
The overall package includes the standard 14 days of public holidays that the UK in Australia Network works to as well as 22 days annual leave.
Any other information (or specific local post requirements):
Employment offers are subject to successful clearance of pre-employment and security checks. Staff who are locally recruited by the British High Commission are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to Australia local employment law.
No accommodation or relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position. All candidates must be legally able to work and reside in the country of the vacancy with the correct visa/work permit status or demonstrate eligibility to obtain the relevant permit. Any costs related to obtaining or renewing permits and visas are the responsibility of the successful applicant.
We are committed to being an inclusive employer and building a culturally diverse workplace. We actively encourage applications from people from the widest possible diversity of backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. Our culture of inclusion is underpinned by our excellent staff networks which cover disability, faith and belief, gender equality, social mobility, age, race, LGBT+, and how to be an ally.
Advertised start date is provisional and subject to completion of reference and security checks.
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The FCDO also operates an agile workforce. To facilitate this, you may be required to undertake other duties from time to time as we may reasonably require.’
Your application must be submitted before 23:55 AEST-Australian Eastern Standard Time (UTC/ GMT +10) on the day mentioned in the above field “Application deadline”
Applications must include a current CV. Kindly omit any personal information such as name, birthdate, address and contact #.
All applicants are required to mandatorily fill the online application form completely including the employment and educational details, experience, professional skills and behaviour-based questions. We will be thoroughly reviewing the applications and incomplete form in any respect may not be considered while shortlisting for the next stage.
Only shortlisted candidates for interview will be contacted. Interviewees will be assessed on the core behaviours/qualifications listed above. Unsuccessful candidates will be notified via the system in due time. Appointable candidates who were unsuccessful may be placed on a ‘reserve list’. If during the reserve period of 6 months the same or a largely similar role becomes available, that role may be offered to the second or subsequent candidate”.
Advertised start date is provisional and subject to completion of reference and security checks.
Kindly check your application centre or email regularly for any update on the status of your application.
We are committed to being an inclusive employer and building a culturally diverse workplace. We actively encourage applications from people from the widest possible diversity of backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. Our culture of inclusion is underpinned by our excellent staff networks which cover disability, faith and belief, gender equality, social mobility, age, race, LGBT+, and how to be an ally.
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