SeniorGEDSIAdviser - Australia Awards Global Support Mechanism (AAGSM) Global Support Unit (GSU)

Senior GEDSI Adviser - Australia Awards Global Support Mechanism (AAGSM) Global Support Unit (GSU)

• Fixed term contract up to 30 June 2029
• Competitive salary and hybrid work arrangement (minimum three days in office)
• Friendly and supportive work environment
• Canberra preferred, other locations within Australia considered

About Palladium

Palladium is a global leader in the design, development, and delivery of Positive Impact - the intentional creation of enduring social, climate and economic value. We work with governments, businesses, and investors to help solve the world's most pressing challenges. With a team of more than 4,000 employees operating in 90-plus countries and a global network of over 35,000 experts, we help improve economies, societies, the environment, and, most importantly, people's lives.

The program

The Australia Awards Global Support Mechanism (AAGSM) is an initiative designed to enhance the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's (DFAT) international scholarship program delivery by providing operational, technical and analytical services to DFAT and the broader scholarship delivery network. In doing so, the AAGSM will enhance DFAT's capacity to drive policy, partnerships and respond to the demand for evolved scholarship program delivery architecture. The AAGSM consists of the Global Support Unit (GSU) - responsible for operational and technical services to DFAT's International Education and Scholarships Branch (EDB) and scholarship network, and the Global Research Unit (GRU)

The role

The Senior GEDSI Adviser plays a key role in advancing strategic objectives by providing technical support services that promote gender equality, disability and social inclusion outcomes throughout DFAT's international scholarship programs network. It is responsible for providing high-level policy and specialised GEDSI technical advice, capacity support, training and performance monitoring to the Australia Awards network throughout the scholarship and Fellowships cycle.

The role also provides oversight of the Disability Adviser, the Psychosocial and Wellbeing Support Adviser, and short term advisers (STAs), ensuring a consistent and coordinated approach to intersectionality, case management, policy and delivery across the program.

The role further encompasses providing strategic policy advice and guidance to DFAT and the Australia Awards network, ensuring alignment with DFAT's Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (SEAH) policy and the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-Based Violence. This role contributes to program design, shaping leadership initiatives (e.g. Women Leading and Influencing), and engaging with broader DFAT policy priorities (e.g. gender and climate).

Responsibilities will ensure:

• Develop, implement, monitor and report on GEDSI activities as outlined in the Six-Monthly Work Plans. Identify opportunities for collaboration, efficiency and to deliver innovative approaches to delivering outcomes, noting activities will be identified according to priorities and delivered in a phased approach over the contract period.
• Conduct or contribute to GEDSI analysis to identify common issues, impairments and barriers on gender, sexual orientation or gender identity, race, wellbeing, location or accessibility across the network, identify corresponding interventions and articulate good practice to be shared.
• Develop a global Australia Awards GEDSI Strategy including entry points across the scholarship cycle for GEDSI mainstreaming and targeted activities.
• Conduct GEDSI and safeguarding spotlight audits on the Australia Awards Policy Handbook and Fellowships Guidelines, lead updates on GEDSI related sections, and consult with DFAT, Posts and institutions on policy changes by identifying gaps, developing concept notes, and drafting relevant sections for review.
• In accordance with the Australia Awards Scholarships Policy Handbook, provide high-level policy and specialised advice on GEDSI issues to DFAT, Posts, Desks and institutions. Provide advice on handling SEAH in accordance with policy requirements and processes.
• Supervise the Disability Adviser, Psychosocial and Wellbeing Support Adviser, and other STAs to ensure effective and internally consistent approach to case management.
• Ensure any additional GEDSI support services requested by DFAT are integrated and delivered to a high quality, with local and international travel undertaken as required.

About you

You will bring working knowledge of GEDSI within Australia's international development program, together with associated Australian Government strategies and policies (including PSEAH and Child Protection), as well as international norms and standards that protect the rights of all people.

Additional key requirements include:

• Tertiary qualifications in gender equality, social sciences or another relevant field and/or equivalent relevant experience and training.
• Proven expertise conducting GEDSI analysis, developing GEDSI strategies, and assessing and strengthening GEDSI related policies.
• Expertise in GEDSI support services including safeguarding in a multi-cultural and inclusive environment. Experience in international scholarship or education sector is highly desirable.
• Excellent interpersonal skills including cross-cultural experience and communication skills, with the ability to navigate complex issues.
• Demonstrated excellence in stakeholder engagement to maintain engaged and productive relationships, facilitate capacity development and influence a wide range of stakeholders.
• Excellent writing skills with the ability to adapt to a wide range of purposes and audiences including research, strategic, policy, templates and training documents.

To Apply

Please submit your application online, including your CV and brief cover letter (maximum 2 pages), outlining your suitability in line with the requirements of the position.

Established working rights required for suitable candidates; there is no visa sponsorship or relocation support available.

For further information please email HR.AAGSM@thepalladiumgroup.com

Closing date: Tuesday 13 January 2025, 11.59pm AEDT

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion - Palladium is committed to embedding equity, diversity, and inclusion into everything we do. We welcome applications from all sections of society and actively encourage diversity to drive innovation, creativity, success and good practice. We positively welcome and seek to ensure we achieve diversity in our workforce; and that all job applicants and employees receive equal and fair treatment regardless of their background or personal characteristics. These include: (but are not limited to) socio-economic background, age, race, gender identity and expression, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, nationality, veteran, marital or Indigenous status.

Should you require any adjustments or accommodations to be made due to a disability or you are a neurodivergent individual or for any other circumstance, please email our team at accessibility@thepalladiumgroup.com and we will be in touch to discuss.

Safeguarding - We define Safeguarding as "the preventative action taken by Palladium to protect our people, clients and the communities we work with from harm". We are committed to ensuring that all children and adults who come into contact with Palladium are treated with respect and are free from abuse. All successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced selection process including safeguarding-focused interviews and a rigorous due diligence process.