Australian High Commission
Sri Lanka
Address: 21, Gregory's Road, Colombo 7 - Telephone: +94 (0) 11 2463200 - Fax: +94 (0) 11 2686453

Job Description

Job Title: Senior Program Officer
Classification: O-based
Location: Colombo, Sri Lanka
Branch:
Division: ASIA
Reports to: First Secretary, Development Cooperation Colombo

About the Program

AusAID Colombo has responsibility for the development, implementation, monitoring and review of a series of aid initiatives that support social and economic development in Sri Lanka and the Maldives. The initiatives are undertaken in areas such as education, capacity building (including volunteers), peace and conflict, natural resource management and humanitarian and emergency assistance. AusAID Colombo works closely with implementing partners - multilateral institutions, UN agencies, commercial contractors, INGOs and other Australian Government or State Government partners and during the implementation stage AusAID funds, monitors and evaluates those organizations and their programs to ensure aid effectiveness and aid quality.

About the Job

As a Senior Program Officer you will be responsible for a portfolio of initiatives. This portfolio will cover one or more areas, such as education, peace and conflict, humanitarian assistance and capacity building. An example would be a Senior Program Officer managing two initiatives in peace and conflict and one in education.

As a Senior Program Officer you will work in a small team that consists of an Australian diplomat (A-based) who is the supervisor, other AusAID staff in Colombo, as well as AusAID staff located in Canberra and the region, including Sector and Aid Quality Advisers located in Canberra and/or the Region.

The basic salary package will be in the range of SLRs 1,700,000 – 1,900,000 per annum; depending on relevant experience and skills. The successful applicant will be offered a 2 year contract, subject to completion of a 3-month probationary period.


POLICY AND PROGRAM MANAGEMENT

With limited supervision and exercising a high level of judgment, contribute to the achievement of Australia’s aid objectives in Sri Lanka and/or the Maldives by:

1. Providing high level analysis and policy advice relating to current and emerging development issues in sectors of responsibility;

2. Developing innovative strategies to strengthen the effectiveness and quality of AusAID's Aid contribution in sectors of responsibility;

3. Proactively managing the identification, development, implementation, including financial and contractual administration of initiatives in sectors of responsibility

4. Monitoring and evaluating progress of initiatives in areas of responsibility. This will involve undertaking periodic visits to program sites within Sri Lanka and/or the Maldives to assess and report on implementation progress to ensure that program objectives and aid budget compliance are met. This may also involve consultation with AusAID’s relevant sector and/or Aid Quality Adviser(s) based in the region and/or in Canberra.

5. Perform other duties as required consistent with the achievement of program objectives as they develop and change in a dynamic environment.


COMMUNICATION AND LIAISON

With limited supervision and exercising a high level of judgment, contribute to Australian aid outcomes by:

6. Representing AusAID Colombo in policy engagement / liaison / negotiation with Sri Lankan and/or Maldivian government officials, implementing partners, consultants and contractors, AusAID central office staff, other donors and sector stakeholders relevant to areas of direct responsibility. Liaise and coordinate with other AusAID posts in the region for regional projects/programs;

7. Assisting in supporting the whole government approach to development, including building effective relationships with other High Commission Staff, in particular DFAT and DIAC;

8. Achieving and maintaining an effective and efficient level of communication between the Post and other sections within AusAID Canberra, that enhances team work and achieves quality aid outcomes;

9. Oversighting and reporting on the implementation of specific initiatives in areas of responsibility, including exercising a high level of judgment in reporting on aid quality and aid effectiveness outcomes to Canberra; and

10. Preparing reporting cables, program and initiative briefings, speeches and media releases as required. Undertake research and analysis, and prepare factual and analytical reports of a high quality.

LEADERSHIP, MANAGEMENT AND TEAM WORK

With limited supervision and exercising a high level of judgment, support the achievement of outcomes by:

11. Leading the development, management and review of Australian aid program activities in sectors of responsibility.

12. Undertaking the supervision and management of other AusAID staff as required.

13. Assisting the First Secretary Development Cooperation to coordinate team and people related issues in one or more areas, including staff performance appraisals, management and coordination of professional development, mentoring and provision of on-the-job training to other staff at Post.

ESSENTIAL SELECTION CRITERIA

1. Proven ability to initiate and manage development programs to a high level, including over five years experience working in the development field;

2. Demonstrated ability to work with minimum supervision and exercise a high level of judgment, maturity and flexibility to achieve agreed outcomes.

3. Highly developed writing skills and an ability to express ideas clearly and concisely.

4. Proven representation skills and ability to develop and maintain effective stakeholder relations;

5. Demonstrated leadership and teamwork skills.

DESIRABLE SELECTION CRITERIA

1. A sound understanding of current development issues in Sri Lanka and/or the Maldives.

2. Highly developed analytical and research skills.

3. A relevant post-graduate tertiary qualification.

REPORTING ARRANGEMENTS

This position reports directly to the First Secretary, Development Cooperation.

POSITION AUTHORITIES

Authorised Certifying Officer

This position holds no financial delegations.

Important – Applicants must include a written paragraph for each of the eight selection criteria explaining how their skills and experience match the criteria for the position. Applications which do not address the selection criteria and which only include CVs will not be considered.

Applications of no more than 6 pages addressing the above selection criteria and including a CV with names and contact details of two referees can be faxed to AusAID at (011) 2696468, emailed to clmb.recruitment@dfat.gov.au or hand-delivered to the First Secretary, AusAID, Australian High Commission Colombo, marked before 12noon on Friday 9 May 2008.




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