Senior Technical Adviser (Health), Global Health Division, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)

Job Description

Position: Senior Technical Adviser (Health), Global Health Division, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) Location: Canberra, Australia

Monthly Remuneration: AUD14,000-15,000 per month inclusive of superannuation

Duration: Initial Contract to 28 February 2026 with the possibility of up to 24-month extension

The Opportunity:

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) promotes and protects Australia’s international interests to support Australia’s security and prosperity. DFAT works with international partners and other countries to tackle global challenges, increase trade and investment opportunities, protect international rules, keep our region stable and help Australians overseas.

DFAT’s Global Health Division develops and delivers programs that contribute to regional and global health. GHD works across the Australian Government, with NGOs and research organisations, partner governments and multilateral bodies such as the World Health Organization to advance Australia’s interests and priorities. DFAT’s $620 million, five-year Partnerships for a Healthy Region supports a broad range of activities to strengthen health systems in the Pacific and Southeast Asia for both communicable and non-communicable diseases, public health administration and sexual and reproductive health and rights. Global Health Division (GHD) requires a Senior Technical Adviser (Health) to work as part of a small specialist team within GHD, reporting to the PSS Health. The Senior Technical Adviser willprovide strategic advice on health security across DFAT’s bilateral, regiona land global health work, including Partnerships for a Healthy Region (PHR) and major programs being implemented by Office of the Pacific and Office of Southeast Asia.

Specific Duties:

Under the direction of the PrincipalSector Specialist (PSS) Health:

• Provide public health advice to support DFAT’s foreign policy and international development objectives in health, with a particular focus on health security: global infectious disease monitoring, epidemiology, emergency preparedness and response, health system logistics and public health deployments.
• Contribute to the development of strategic health policy, in support of DFAT’s engagements and investments at bilateral, regional, and global levels.
• Undertake technical analysis to support a broad range of health policy and program implementation requirements, including PHR.
• Provide on-demand health advice to DFAT’s geographic divisions and posts to shape bilateral health programs with a particular focus on infectious diseases, public health emergencies, outbreak preparedness and response.
• Provide health advice to partner governments, where requested by geographic divisions/posts.
• Monitor emerging infectious diseases and acute public health events – globally and regionally.
• Prepare and update infectious disease monitoring reports.
• Support GHD/DFAT outbreak response coordination, including drafting Situation Reports.
• Represent Australia at domestic, bilateral, regional, and global health forums.
• Foster linkages and advance relationships between Australian public health and medical institutions and experts and institutions in Southeast Asia and the Pacific regions.
• Build the capability of DFAT staff working in the health sector, particularly posted officers working in health.
• Support the PSS Health with preparation and dissemination of key analytical products on DFAT’s health sector programs and performance.
• Undertake other duties as required, including acting for the PSS Health as required.

Key Requirements:

Required experience

• More than 10 years’ experience in the health sector or public health

Required qualifications and skills

• Public Health Specialist with a Masters of Philosophy in Applied Epidemiology (MAE); or a clinical health degree
• Ability to communicate with influence and shape strategic thinking
• Ability to cultivate productive working relationships across teams and with partners, including in cross-cultural contexts
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of public health issues and the ability to analyse, summarise, and interpret epidemiological data
• Has, or has the ability to obtain a baseline security clearance (minimum) or an NV1 security clearance (preferred) – this requires applicants to have Australian citizenship.

Cultural & language requirements

• Excellent written English and demonstrated ability to express orally and in writing complex concepts in clear and simple language with a wide range of stakeholders from diverse backgrounds
• Desire to contribute to an inclusive and supportive professional environment, where diversity is celebrated

Desirable experience

• Experience working in the Indo-Pacific Region and in complex health settings
• Clinical experience

How to apply:

Please submit your applicationonline on the Abt Global website [Senior Technical Adviser (Health), Global Health Division, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) - Abt Global] attaching your resume/CV and a cover letter (as a single PDF document) addressing how you meet the key requirements of the role.

The closing date for this position is Sunday, 02 March 2025, 12:00 PM.

Note: Applicants must be an Australian citizen as the role requires the successful applicant to hold or be able to obtain a security clearance.

For any enquiries, please email us at recruitment@shsglobal.com.au

Abt is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse workforce.

Disclaimer: Abt will never ask candidates for money in exchange for an offer of employment.

About the Organization

The World at Abt Global:

Solving the world’s most pressing issues and improving the quality of life for people worldwide is what we do every day at Abt Global. Creating a more equitable world is no small task, but we are driven by big challenges.

We are a team of 3,000+ people in over 50 countries working in unison and focused on the bigger picture. Only by sharing our commitment, energy, and innovation do we affect change and push the boundaries of what’s
possible. We welcome diverse ideas, backgrounds, and viewpoints – joining Abt means access to exceptional thinkers at the top of their game.

To thrive at Abt Global is to embrace flexibility and collaboration. Our open culture allows you to balance your work and personal life as needed to optimize personal well-being. Creating a more equitable world
starts from within – we look after people around the world, and we’ll do the same for you. Ready to embrace rewarding and meaningful work? Now’s your chance.

Specialist Health Service:

Managed by Abt Global, the Specialist Health Service (SHS) provides strategic input on health to the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). SHS is the primary source from which DFAT
accesses health and development expertise and advisory services to improve the quality of health programming across DFAT’s global and regional health portfolio, through enabling access to responsive technical advice and support.

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