Administrative and Research Officer - Job Advertisement

Administrative and Research Officer

(panel, with immediate vacancies arising in Agricultural Affairs & Trade Affairs and other possible future vacancies in the thematic sections listed below)

 

Embassy of Ireland, Beijing

 

Our mission is to promote and protect abroad the values, interests and economic well-being of

Ireland and its people. We do this under the political direction of our Ministers, through our staff

at home and through our Embassy network abroad.

 

Vacancies arise at the Embassy of Ireland in Beijing from time to time for Administrative and Research Officers, on a fixed-term contractual basis. The Embassy now wishes to recruit qualified and highly motivated candidates for the positions of:

-          Trade Affairs Officer; and

-          Agricultural Affairs Officer. 

In addition to filling these two positions, it is intended to create a panel of qualified candidates from which Administrative and Research Officer positions in other sectors of the Embassy’s work may also be filled, if future vacancies arise.   

Role:

The Embassy of Ireland is organised into thematic sections, namely Agriculture, Education, Culture and Community, Political, Public Diplomacy, Trade.

 

Administrative and Research Officers at the Embassy, under the guidance and oversight of a supervisor from among the posted diplomatic staff, are tasked with a range of research, administrative and other tasks in a specific sector.  The role will include, but is not limited to, the following duties:

 

• Research and analysis in relation to developments in the relevant sector in China;
• Monitoring, analysis and reporting of relevant statistics;
• Review of local press, periodicals and official briefings in the relevant sector and preparing reports and briefing on relevant issues;
• Coordination with relevant Irish state agencies in China, for example Bord Bia and Enterprise Ireland, to ensure a cohesive Team Ireland approach;
• Attending and reporting on conferences, seminars or other events;
• Liaison and building relationships with relevant stakeholders, including in State and Provincial level government bodies;
• Chinese language translation and interpretation for senior managers, where required;
• Other support to the work of the Embassy, including preparation and participation in receptions, Ministerial visits or other Embassy events;
• Such other duties as may be required.

 

Administrative and Research Officers play a key role in achieving the objectives of the Embassy section to which they are assigned.  For example:

-          the Agriculture Affairs Officer is tasked in particular, with providing assistance to the Embassy’s Agriculture team in the implementation of Ireland’s Agri-Food Strategy, Food Vision 2030; as well as analysing the impact of Chinese legislation on Irish business processes and assisting in developing exchange opportunities between Ireland and China.

 

-          the Trade Affairs Officer is tasked in particular with building and maintaining appropriate contacts with stakeholders in Central and Local Governments, Chambers of Commerce and other bodies, and will maintain a database of trade and investment promotional opportunities in China.

Essential requirements candidates must be able to demonstrate:

• A third level qualification in a relevant discipline (e.g. International Trade, Business, Law, International Relations, Political Affairs, etc);
• Fluency in Mandarin and excellent command of English, both written and spoken;
• Excellent research, analysis and reporting skills;
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and proven abilities to work effectively as part of a team;
• Computer literacy and information management skills;
• The successful candidate must have a legal entitlement to live and work in Chinaprior to recruitment.

  Desirable Requirements:

• 3-5 years relevant professional experience;
• Previous professional experience in one of the specific sectors in which posts are currently available, i.e. Trade Affairs or Agricultural Affairs;
• Knowledge of Ireland and its role in China;
• A proven ability to manage and present information effectively using up-to-date IT tools;
• Experience of interaction with Chinese official departments, agencies or other authorities;
• Experience of working in or interacting with a diplomatic mission in China.

  Terms and conditions of employment:

• The successful candidates will be hired on a fixed-term contractual basis and will be based at the Embassy of Ireland in Beijing.
• The salary scale for the position is 185,183RMB per annum, with an incremental salary scale rising (over time and subject to performance) to a maximum of 245,310 RMB per annum.  The salary for the position will be paid through the Diplomatic Service Bureau on a monthly basis. Salaries are paid direct to a bank account, therefore the successful candidate must have a bank account.
• The position will have an annual leave allowance of 20 days per annum, exclusive of public holidays, adjusted pro rata.

 

How to apply:

 

Selection Process:

• Only applications received in the manner set out above on or before the deadline will be considered;
• The Embassy will acknowledge all applications within 3 working days of receipt;
• Depending on the number of applications received, a short-listing of candidates may be undertaken based on the Essential/Key Requirements above;
• Shortlisted candidates may be asked to complete a written exercise involving research, data analysis or report writing.  A written exercise of this kind will be conducted by email, primarily in English. Shortlisted applicants will be provided with more information on this exercise, including its likely timing.
• Only those candidates who have been shortlisted and successfully complete the written exercise will be called to interview.  Interviews will be competency-based. They will be conducted in English, by video conference.  Candidates called to interview will be provided with more information prior to interview.
• The Embassy will only contact referees if a candidate has been shortlisted for interview. At this point, the candidate will be deemed to have given their consent to contact the nominated referees.

General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR):

All personal information received will be kept in line with GDPR guidelines.

Security Clearance for Local Staff:

Police security clearance will be sought in respect of individuals who come under consideration for appointment. Enquiries may also be made with the police force of any country in which the applicant under consideration for appointment resided. If unsuccessful, this information will be destroyed. If the applicant subsequently comes under consideration for another position, they will be required to supply this information again.

 

Please note that canvassing will disqualify applicants.

The Embassy of Ireland, Beijing is committed to a policy of
equal opportunity.

 

 

Data Protection
Please read our Privacy Policy

Administrative and Research Officer - Application Form