Senior Passports & Consular Officer

Agency	Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Position Number	WN015
Title	Senior Passports & Consular Officer
Classification	LE4
Post	Australian High Commission, Wellington
Supervisor	Passports and Consular Manager

 

About the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)

The role of DFAT is to advance the interests of Australia and Australians internationally. This involves strengthening Australia’s security, enhancing Australia’s prosperity, delivering an effective and high-quality overseas aid program, and helping Australian travellers and Australians overseas.

 

The department provides foreign, trade and development policy advice to the Australian Government. DFAT also works with other Australian government agencies to drive coordination of Australia’s pursuit of global, regional, and bilateral interests.

 

About the position

The Senior Passports and Consular Officer position provides the full range of passport and consular services to Australian citizens visiting or living in the Wellington Consular District. The position provides support to New Zealand based staff providing reception, passport and consular services and support.     

 

The key responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to:

• Manage and undertake the provision of consular, passport and notarial services to Australian citizens in New Zealand in accordance with departmental guidelines
• Manage complex consular enquiries and provide on the ground consular support including arrests/detentions, hospitalisations, medical evacuations, deaths, and whereabouts cases of Australian citizens, including outside office hours.
• Perform passport and notarial services, including processing passport applications and conducting client interviews with Australian citizens in accordance with the Australian Passport Act.
• Provide timely advice and reporting on consular and passport cases.
• Oversee provision of voting facilities for Federal and State elections and by-

  elections.

• Assist in the provision of policy advice, preparation of procedural guidelines, and provide and/or interpret information on consular and passport services.
• Develop and maintain a strong network of key contacts with the local authorities in New Zealand, other foreign missions, hospitals/airlines and emergency organisations relating to support the provision of consular and passport services.
• Undertake research, analysis, or project work on consular and passports matters of priority. 
• Liaise with the Australian Consulate in Auckland on Australian citizenship, passport, and consular issues.
• Support post management and maintain the New Zealand Crisis Action Plan detailing emergency procedures in response to a crisis or threat of crisis involving Australian nationals in New Zealand.
• Perform other duties and back up as required.

   

Qualifications/Experience

• High level of communication and organisational skills and experience.  Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build productive working relationships.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritise, think strategically, apply judgement and innovation to achieve results.
• Sound knowledge or the ability to quickly acquire knowledge, of the Consular Services Charter and other relevant legislation, policies and procedures.
• Ability to provide empathetic services to a wide range of clients, including handling of difficult and distressed clients and those involved in sensitive situations.
• Reasonable knowledge or ability to interpret Australian passport regulations and other relevant legislation, policies and procedures
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated knowledge in the use of computer-based systems.

   

What we offer the successful candidate

• Annual salary NZ$74,280 plus KiwiSaver employer contribution equivalent to 6% of salary.
• Performance rewards
• Full time – 37.5 hours per week
• Complimentary use of staff gym, squash court and comprehensive leave entitlements
• A great team environment.

 

How to Apply

Applications close NZT 10am 17 March 2023.

 

Applications including a one-page pitch and maximum two-page CV should be emailed to ahcwltn.recruitment@dfat.gov.au. A merit list will be created and used for future vacancies.