How do people get into working for DFAT missions overseas? I saw their website and there are a few positions that are open for candidates local to the mission but not anything like where they employ australian citizens on the overseas missions - more like consular officers, etc. Anybody who has worked for DFAT overseas, could you please advise?
Definitely not worthy of downvotes
I just go to KFC and get VFAT
Those roles are small in number and everyone wants them.
So the reality is you would need to land a role at DFAT as a permanent employee and then spend the next few years working your way into a role that has the possibility of overseas placements.
Plan your career and work towards it. I've never heard of anyone walking straight into a role overseas, unless coming in with established senior career.
There's options to be employed locally as an Aus worker, but you get paid local wages and the department doesnt give you all the travel and housing allowances.
OP, this is the correct answer.
If you can't stomach moving to Canberra and grinding for a few years, you could go private.
DFAT engages massive private companies to carry out their work, especially in the South Pacific and South East Asia. They all have large offices of expats in-country that get paid exorbitant amounts of money to spend foreign aid. Sometimes these positions are classed as aid and thus tax free. You could be on $180k tax free with no living expenses, you just need to live in the 2nd or 3rd world for a few years and work 6 or 7 days a week.
E.g Abt Associates, any of the big 4 consulting firms etc
@Adredocto mentioned local workers, locally engaged staff. This is usually locals employed by DFAT to work at the embassy or high commission. You would not want this role unless your partner was posted through DFAT or a contractor.
by private you mean companies like sandline, executive outcomes and blackwater right?
I don't know about that industry, I only have experience with foreign aid in the Oceania and Southeast Asia.
Don't forget the option of donating 25k to the governing political party each year for 12 years then hinting to your local member you would be super interested in being appointed as consul to Vanuatu or somewhere.
You'll join the queue behind the retiring politicians for the plum jobs, but if you are happy with a second tier location…
Talking of which - what is the job that Scomo bagged in the USA?
I think it was in private sector as opposed to govt.
IIRC The Scomo job was with the US military manufacturer that he set up the AUKUS submarine deal with, damaging our relationship with France in the process.
more like consular officers
OP are you a spy?
You might consider going into an allied government department and then sliding into DFAT.
EG: one of my kids has a science degree and works for Dept of Environment but has also done secondments at the Dept of Housing and Treasury.
This, once you're in there you can just throw your application into this pool - https://www.apsjobs.gov.au/s/job-details?title=2023-24-aps-p…
I looked into DFAT jobs whilst living in Japan.
Speaking the local language is a definite advantage in procuring a position
Easy, post a TikTok video and the world is yours, no need to do the hard yards
I interviewed with them after doing the Commonwealth graduate intake exams.
Got close, but not close enough. Had a friend that got in though.
Do you speak any foreign languages? It will definitely help.
It's funny to think that they could have called it 'DFTA' and it still would have worked, but someone made the correct decision with DFAT
Or Department of Affairs, Foreign and Trade?
That would have worked.
Department of Foreign Trade and Affairs? I think I know why this was ruled out…
I worked at DFAT for many years, three international postings and a littany of incredible experiences. I would recommend it to anyone. Core skills are good communication, resilience and multi tasking. No two days were ever the same.
The overseas jobs you're referring to are jobs for locals in that country. Aussies can certainly apply, and are often preferred, but your pay and conditions are set at the local rate and you're not a diplomat. For that, you need to be posted from Canberra and be entitled to the Department's generous conditions. Good luck.
Employment as a DFAT employee is highly sought after and those roles are some of the hardest to get in the Federal Government. And if you do get a job in DFAT, there is still intense internal competition for plum roles such as international postings. Only the best applicants get a job in DFAT and they will usually have very high academic scores, knowledge of international relations, an extra language or two, and will be up on current affairs, both domestic and international.
For content experts (i.e. those who have good qualifications in areas needed overseas, such as construction, health, policing etc), they can apply for employment positions in domestic or international companies that are engaged by DFAT to deliver services overseas. Experts can also seek roles as consultants through those companies.
DFAT also engages locals within countries to deliver local services, both as local employees and through local companies to deliver local services. But those roles are usually paid at local rates, not Australian rates.
Grad program with a PhD and fluent in two other languages.
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