AUSTRALIAN HIGH COMMISSION
PORT LOUIS
JOB DESCRIPTION
POST: PORT LOUIS
POSITION NO: 7580
Broadband: BB2
Level Within Broadband: 1
Descriptor: Consular and Passports Officer
Supervisor : First Secretary and Consul
The Job
Under the overall supervision and leadership of the First Secretary and Consul and Senior Administrative Officer (SAO), but exercising personal initiative as appropriate, you will be required to accept responsibility for the delivery of a range of important services to Australian citizens.
As the Consular and Passports Officer, your principal responsibility will be assisting the First Secretary and Consul in the provision of high quality consular assistance to Australians in distress and in the prompt and efficient issue of passports to Australian travellers. In addition you will act as Cashier for the High Commission and undertake other administrative tasks as required.
You will be required to have a high level knowledge of, and a commitment to complying with all Australian Government, DFAT and High Commission legal and regulatory requirements and HOM directions in respect of your responsibilities. You will be expected to keep yourself up to date with new and evolving policy and legislation affecting your areas of responsibility
Consular
• Develop and maintain in depth knowledge of relevant legislation, regulation and instructions including the Consular Manual
• Develop and maintain a network of contacts for the provision of effective consular assistance to Australian citizens in distress
• Provide routine consular assistance to Australian citizens and assist Consul in consular case management
• Maintain the register of Australian citizens
• Execute notarial acts within Commonwealth Guidelines
• Process visa applications for Papua New Guinea
• Prepare quarterly consular statistics
• Contribute to the preparation and maintenance of post’s consular contingency plans and travel advisories for Australian citizens for all countries of accreditation
• Liaise effectively with the Australian communities under the post’s jurisdiction on consular matters, including maintaining a public information program for provision of advice to these communities.
Passports
• Develop and maintain in depth knowledge of relevant legislation, regulation and instructions including the Australian Passport Manual
• Provide information and advice to Australian passport applicants
• Undertake passport interviews
• Process applications for the issue of new Australian passports and the renewal of existing passports.
• Check supporting documentation according to legal requirements
• Issue emergency passports
• Update passport and consular fees on a monthly basis.
• Prepare passports monthly reconciliation
Finance Services
• Develop and maintain knowledge of relevant legislation and instructions including the Financial Management Manual
• Act as cashier
• Exercise other financial delegations as required
• Assist with client services through participation in the reception duty roster
• Other duties as directed.
Personal attributes
• High ethical standards, reliability and trustworthiness.
• Energetic and forward thinking in the day to day management of your responsibilities.
• The desire to make a positive and effective contribution to the work of the High Commission and its’ clients, either independently or in a team environment.
• Effective Interpersonal and intercultural communication skills, including the ability to negociate effectively.
• High level of fluency in English and French, including written.
• High level driving skills and extensive knowledge of Mauritian road system and local destinations.
• An ability to undertake and absorb training for consular, passports and financial and administrative tasks at a high level.
• The ability to undertake tasks at a higher level with appropriate training.
• Good organisational and time management skills including the ability to identify priorities and manage competing deadlines.
• Experience with computer based applications to produce relevant and timely reports and information.
• A good understanding of workplace diversity, occupational health and safety, workplace participation principles, the APS Code of Conduct and the ability to apply these to the workplace.
• Tertiary qualifications desirable.