Senior Policy Advisor – Canberra

• AUS (Canberra) - Senior Policy Advisor - Defence and Technology, HEO
• British Consulate-General Hong Kong – Canberra ACT

This is a pivotal time to join ‘UK in Australia’, the UK government’s Australia network.

The wider UK-Australia economic partnership is broadening and deepening, worth £800 billion, and supporting 80,000 UK jobs and our collaboration is similarly strong on security.

We are looking for a dynamic, talented candidate to work as a Senior Policy Advisor – Defence and Security at the British High Commission Canberra.

Your work will range from defence and defence-adjacent industry to AUKUS and AI, use your skills in programme management, and develop your experience organising events and developing policy.

You’ll be part of several high-performing fast-paced teams delivering key UK priorities.

The ideal candidate should have experience in the defence or technology sectors, coupled with programme management experience, the ability to build and implement strategies, create senior and credible stakeholder networks across government, defence, industry and academia, prioritise and leverage opportunities and deliver results.

We work flexibly, and all team members at different times find themselves working in other areas.

This is typically both interesting and rewarding.

Our network and team

You don’t have to be a government expert to join our team.

We recruit people with a wide variety of experience and skills.

If you have strong motivation and core competences, we can help you develop the network and expertise needed to thrive.

You will work with colleagues from diverse backgrounds whose professional experience is the foundation of our shared capability – we deliver as one team.

Our team members have the chance to develop a wide range of marketable skills and networks for professional advancement – useful for their jobs, and for when they choose to progress their careers externally.

UK in Australia is an inclusive and equal-opportunity employer.

We encourage applicants from the widest possible diversity of backgrounds, cultures, and experiences.

Our culture of inclusion is underpinned by our excellent staff networks, and we have a zero-tolerance policy towards bullying, harassment and discrimination.

• Run the programme management function to help the defence and security team develop and maintain a pipeline of trade, investment and collaboration opportunities across Australia, with a particular focus on opportunities, including defence-adjacent opportunities arising from AUKUS.
• Organise and support planning and delivery of events across Australia to advance UK defence, security and technology objectives, including with defence and defence-adjacent industry and on AUKUS.
• Contribute to policy development related to defence, security and emerging technology, including through analysis and development of strategies and campaign plans.
• Establish and maintain relationships across government, defence, industry, research institutions, innovation accelerators, venture capital networks and trade associations to advance UK objectives on defence, security and emerging technology.
• Prepare high-quality written and verbal briefings for ministers, senior officials, visiting delegations and industry stakeholders.
• Manage programme budgets and activity expenditure as required, ensuring effective use of public funds and accurate forecasting and reporting.
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