The Australian Embassy is seeking applications from suitably qualified persons for two full-time positions.

Australian Embassy Overview

The Australian Embassy in Pohnpei is responsible for Australia’s relations with the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). Its objectives are to maintain positive and resilient bilateral relations with the FSM, including through an effective and responsive development program, and to provide responsive consular and passport services to Australians in the FSM.

 

1. Executive/Office Assistant.

This is an exciting and important position which works as part of a small, upbeat team focused on ensuring strong ties between Australia and the FSM.  This position requires good communication, coordination and IT skills, attention to detail and the ability to work effectively in a team.

Full Time Contract:    This is a full-time two-year contract which includes a three-month probation period.  The contract may be extended on the basis of need and performance.

Salary: The salary range offered to the successful applicant will be US$17,065 – US$19,963 per annum. Subject to qualifications and experience, the salary point may be negotiated.  Advancement is possible through the Embassy’s performance management system.  The Embassy has an attractive remuneration package including recreation, flex-time and sick leave.

Eligibility / Other Requirements:     

The successful applicant must provide evidence of the following;

•  relevant FSM work permit - the Embassy will not cover any costs associated with a work permit or relocation.

• a valid local driver’s license with a good driving record

• the successful applicant will be required to obtain satisfactory police and medical clearances.

Application Process:  Interested applicants need to provide a resume / CV and address the selection criteria.  The selection criteria and duty statement are at Attachment A.

Please note that all of the selection criteria need to be addressed within the written application to be considered for interview. Attachment B and C should also be completed and included in your application. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.

Please email the following documents to the address below:

1. Resume/CV

2. Written Response to each of the Selection Criteria

   (Attachment A)

3. Completed Attachments B and C

Email to: [email protected]

Applications close at 5pm Friday 10 February 2023. 

No late applications will be considered.

Please click here to access the application package.

 

 2. Public Affairs and Research Officer

This position plays an important role at the Embassy, researching and providing advice to the Ambassador and staff on key policies and developments in the Federated States of Micronesia. It also manages the Embassy’s public affairs and social media programs, helping to promote Australia’s partnership with the FSM. It requires well developed interpersonal, communication and social media skills and the ability to work productively and energetically as part of a small upbeat team ensuring strong ties between Australia and the FSM.

Full Time Contract:    This is a full-time two-year contract which includes a three-month probation period.  The contract may be extended on the basis of need and performance.

Salary: The salary range offered to the successful applicant will be US$21,728 – US$25,418 per annum. Subject to qualifications and experience, the salary point may be negotiated.  Advancement is possible through the Embassy’s performance management system.  The Embassy has an attractive remuneration package including recreation, flex-time and sick leave.

Eligibility / Other Requirements:     

The successful applicant must provide evidence of the following;

•  relevant FSM work permit - the Embassy will not cover any costs associated with a work permit or relocation.

• a valid local driver’s license with a good driving record

• the successful applicant will be required to obtain satisfactory police and medical clearances.

Application Process:  Interested applicants need to provide a resume / CV and address the selection criteria.  The selection criteria and duty statement are at Attachment A.

Please note that all of the selection criteria need to be addressed within the written application to be considered for interview. Attachment B and C should also be completed and included in your application. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.

Please email the following documents to the address below:

1. Resume/CV

2. Written Response to each of the Selection Criteria

   (Attachment A)

3. Completed Attachments B and C

Email to: [email protected]

Applications close at 5pm Friday 10 February 2023. 

No late applications will be considered.

Please click here to access the application package.

 

 

Covid Update

Given the current situation regarding COVID-19 in the community, to help limit the spread of the virus the Embassy is temporarily limiting contact with the public to essential services only.  If you require any services or assistance from the Embassy, please call in advance on +691 320 5448.  All visitors are required to wear a mask at all times.  The Embassy is open Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 5pm.

Prime Minister the Hon Anthony Albanese MP

Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting 

“We are stronger together”

 

I’m delighted to be visiting Fiji this week for the Pacific Islands Forum — the region’s premier political and economic policy organisation.

For more than half a century, this Forum has been gathering in the Pacific Way. Bringing many voices together from across our beautiful and diverse islands. And projecting a strong voice across the vast Pacific Ocean and around the world.

For all of us, the Pacific is our home. As island nations, we are fellow voyagers. We share a love of the ocean that connects us; of the tides that bring us closer together; and the communities to which we belong.

We know we’re stronger together, and that unity is founded on listening and respect.

For Australia, the Pacific is our home and our heart. We treasure our bonds of friendship. We value our diversity, and yet we have so much in common.

We’ve always been there for each other in times of need — from fighting together in defence of liberty during the Second World War through to responding collectively to more recent natural disasters.

Just this year, Australia was proud to help Tonga after the devastating eruption of the Hunga Tonga–Hunga Ha’apai volcano. Australians have been touched by the support from our Pacific neighbours during recent bushfires and floods.

The Pacific Islands Forum has long been an important dialogue for our region, and this week is an opportunity for leaders to continue our conversation about the sort of region we want to be.

The island nations of the Pacific are global leaders on climate change. You are careful stewards of the beautiful Blue Pacific.

But as you know all too well, our region is facing an urgent climate challenge.  

Already, we’ve seen rising sea levels, saltwater incursion, food and water insecurity, biodiversity loss and an increasing frequency of extreme weather events.

We know climate change is an existential threat for many of our Pacific neighbours.

And under my Government, Australia will re-establish ourselves as a trusted climate partner and do our part keep 1.5 degrees of warming within reach. My government has increased Australia’s ambition, and have committed to reducing Australia’s emissions to 43 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030. We will reach net zero by 2050.

We’re also committed to supporting the Pacific’s leadership and voice on climate change, and will stand with you in calling for greater action from countries around the world.

Already, my Government has announced new support for partners in our region including through a new Pacific Climate Infrastructure Financing Partnership to fund climate-related infrastructure and energy projects in Pacific countries and an increase to our Official Development Assistance to help with climate change adaptation and resilience in the Pacific.

On security, we all share a desire for a stable, peaceful and prosperous region where the rule of law and the sovereignty of all nations are respected.

We know there are significant security and geostrategic challenges before us. But we are strongest when we stand together. We have a proud record of responding collectively to challenges — whether it’s assisting each other in the wake of natural disasters; cooperating to counter illegal and unregulated fishing of our seas; or collective responses like RAMSI and the Solomons International Assistance Force.

We in the Pacific look out for each other. We know the security decisions taken by any one of us affect the other members of our community. That’s true for friends and neighbours in a village or town; and it’s just as true for a community of nations like ours.

Our collective security depends on our own decisions, as well as the decisions of our fellow island nations. We must work together to protect the Blue Pacific — and each other. Australia is committed to doing our part to address our shared security challenges.

We want to be a healthy and prosperous region, too.

We know the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have been devastating for Pacific Island nations — with a tragic loss of lives and livelihoods.

Australia has been proud to work with Pacific nations through the pandemic, including by providing end-to-end support for the rollout of safe and effective vaccines.

Pacific island nations can also depend on Australia to deliver quality, sustainable development investments that create local jobs and contribute to economic growth.

We will respond to the needs and priorities of Pacific nations without imposing unsustainable financial burdens or expecting something in return.

Our region also has deep wellsprings of culture that should be celebrated.

Australia is proud to be home to a vibrant and diverse Pacific diaspora community.

We benefit tremendously from this, and we want to expand access for Pacific peoples to our labour market and migration program, and ensure workers are treated fairly and have access to good working conditions.

We also want to share the rich heritage of our First Nations peoples more fully with our Pacific neighbours.

We are proud to be home to the oldest continuous living culture in the world, and we can learn so much from the wisdom of Indigenous peoples right across the Pacific region.

As we turn our minds to the next chapter in our shared story, I believe we face enormous opportunities.

Let us seize these opportunities together as One Blue Pacific.

Let us shape the future together, instead of letting the future shape us.

Australia is listening to you.

Australia is standing with you.

We are stronger together.

 

Coronavirus (COVID-19) 

The 2023 Intake Round for Australia Awards Scholarships is now closed.

 

There are two types of scholarship offered by the Embassy:

1. Australia Awards Scholarship (AAS) is offered for postgraduate studies to any Australian university.

2. Australia Awards Pacific Scholarship (AAPS) is offered for undergraduate and postgraduate studies at Pacific institutions such as the University of the South Pacific, Fiji National University and the University of Papua New Guinea.

Minimum Requirements for Applicants for AAS:

• be a FSM citizen

• have attained a Bachelor’s degree with an average GPA 3.0

• At least 2-3 years working experience

Minimum Requirements for Applicants for AAPS:

Undergraduate Study Program

• be a FSM citizen

• have attained an Associate Degree with an average GPA 3.0

Postgraduate Study Program

• be a FSM citizen

• have attained Bachelor’s degree with an average GPA 3.0

• At least 2-3 years working experience

 

For more information, please email us at [email protected]

 

 

Australian Grants

The Direct Aid Program (DAP) is a flexible, small grants scheme available to non-government organizations and community groups to support small-scale sustainable development projects and activities within their groups or communities. 

Funding limit of grants is USD$20,000.00 per application.

Submissions should demonstrate a commitment on the part of the local authorities and/or people who will be the beneficiaries to implement and sustain the project.  DAP projects should be designed to benefit the whole community and must always respect human rights and gender equity as well as being environmentally sound.

Preference in funding will be given to projects addressing the following:

• Education (e.g., basic education, teacher training and workshops)

• Health (e.g., improving access, community preventative health education campaigns)

• Women (e.g., skills training for income generation, addressing gender issues)

• Youth (e.g., training in job and life skills)

• Minorities and disadvantaged groups

• Environment (e.g., recycling, environmental health awareness)

• Community development (e.g., training/ organizational strengthening in planning, leadership, and project management.

Generally, the following costs will NOT be funded:

• start-up capital

• staffing or sitting fees

• household effects and personal items

• fundraising, donations, or prizes

• applications from private individuals

• items of a recurrent nature (e.g., spare parts, supplies, maintenance & repairs, replacement equipment, gasoline, oil, salaries & wages)

• major infrastructure (e.g., roads, buildings, classroom etc)

• international or domestic travel, overseas study tours, offshore training or per diem expenses 

• meeting, seminar, or conference attendance 

• micro credit loans

• activities which are for promoting religious or political purposes

• scholarships

• purchase of vehicles, trailers, and machinery such as tractors, outboard motors and boats

• construction of major facilities

Assessment of Applications

Proposals will be assessed by the DAP Committee based on:

• conformity with the objectives and guidelines of the DAP program

• the costs and developmental benefits of the proposal

• the appropriateness of the expenditure proposed

• achievable and sustainable outcomes

• soundness of the project’s objectives and design

How can we apply?

DAP applications are done on our online link https://dap.smartygrants.com.au/PohnpeiDAP2022-23

For more information please contact us by email: [email protected]