Head of Operations and Engagement – LE6 – DFAT – Canakkale

The successful applicant will be engaged as a locally engaged staff member by the Australian Consulate, Çanakkale.

Please be advised that the Australian Consulate, Çanakkale does not assist with relocation. Any costs associated with taking up the position would be the responsibility of the successful candidate.

About The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

The role of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is to advance the interests of Australia and Australians internationally. This involves strengthening Australia’s security, enhancing Australia’s prosperity, delivering an effective and high-quality overseas aid program and helping Australian travellers and Australians overseas. The department provides foreign, trade and development policy advice to the Australian Government. DFAT also works with other Australian government agencies to drive coordination of Australia’s pursuit of global, regional and bilateral interests.

About the position

As the lead for the Australian Government’s permanent presence in Çanakkale, the Head of Operations and Engagement assumes responsibility for operations while reporting to the Consul, who is based in Ankara. Operating with a high degree of independence and autonomy, the role engages in high level senior liaison with a wide network of Turkish government, civil and community stakeholders to support Australia’s local engagement and ensure effective programs for Anzac commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula. The role requires working across many senior contacts, managing diverse cultural dynamics, addressing risks, innovative problem solving, sound judgement and negotiating outcomes across jurisdictions.

The position coordinates closely with multiple Australian Government agencies, such as the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and Australian Defence, the New Zealand Government, the Turkish Government as well as a diverse range of other non-government stakeholders. It provides strategic insight and operational leadership across administrative, representation, policy and consular domains, regularly identifying emerging risks and opportunities. The role is central to the Australian Government’s understanding and operations in the Çanakkale region and plays a critical part in shaping future engagement in an area of significant national importance for both Türkiye and Australia.

Key responsibilities of the position include but are not limited to:

• Work to the Çanakkale Consul to lead day-to-day operations of the Çanakkale Consulate, exercising delegated authority over financial, administrative, property, security and protocol functions, while supervising a multi-agency team of staff and contractors to deliver efficient, high-quality outcomes.
• Drive performance and operational effectiveness by providing leadership, coaching, and direction to staff in a cross-agency environment to meet strategic and operational goals.
• Provide high-level policy advice and contextual analysis on local and regional developments, including but not limited to the Gallipoli Peninsula, influencing planning and decision-making by identifying risks, opportunities and emerging issues.
• Oversee end-to-end coordination of complex ceremonial events, including Anzac Day and the August Offensive commemorations, ensuring strategic alignment, robust risk management, stakeholder engagement and effective oversight of procurement and service delivery.
• Manage strategic visit planning for senior Australian officials, coordinating with local authorities and ensuring protocol compliance, cultural awareness and diplomatic sensitivity.
• Deliver high-quality consular services, acting as a regional escalation point for complex or sensitive case management and supporting other Australian posts in Türkiye in line with Australian Government policy and legal frameworks.
• Build and sustain influential relationships with Turkish provincial and municipal authorities, military and civil institutions and community stakeholders to advance Australian interests and reinforce bilateral cooperation.
• Represent the Australian Government in Çanakkale and surrounding provinces, advocating for Australia’s policy positions and providing accurate, high-level interpreting and translation in politically and culturally sensitive contexts.

Required Qualifications/Skills

• Highly developed (or the ability to quickly obtain) knowledge of Australian Government administrative, consular, and policy frameworks, with the ability to apply these independently in a complex bilateral operating environment.
• Advanced project and event management capabilities, including the capacity to solve problems, analyse multifaceted issues, and deliver high-stakes outcomes under pressure.
• Demonstrated leadership in managing teams and resources, with a focus on performance, accountability and continuous improvement.
• Proven ability to coordinate complex ceremonial and diplomatic events involving multiple stakeholders, managing logistics, sensitivities and reputational risk.
• Highly developed negotiation, stakeholder engagement and representational skills, with the ability to influence outcomes in cross-cultural and politically sensitive contexts.
• Professional fluency in both English and Turkish, including the ability to provide accurate, high-level interpreting and translation in formal diplomatic settings.
• Sound judgement and discretion in managing sensitive issues, crises and emerging risks, with a demonstrated capacity for autonomous decision-making.
• A strategic and adaptive mindset, with the ability to anticipate challenges, align operations with long-term objectives and operate effectively in dynamic, high-risk situations.

Selection Criteria

Please ensure you provide a response to each of the listed selection criteria below. In your response, you must include relevant high-level examples from your experience that support your claims against the role.

The word limit is strictly 250 words per response to each selection criteria. The panel may not assess incomplete applications or responses which exceed the word limit.

A. Highly developed negotiation, stakeholder engagement and representational skills, with the ability to influence outcomes in cross-cultural and politically sensitive contexts.

B. Advanced project and event management capabilities, including the capacity to solve problems, analyse multifaceted issues, and deliver high-stakes outcomes under pressure.

C. Demonstrated leadership in managing teams and resources, with a focus on performance, accountability and continuous improvement.

D. A strategic and adaptive mindset, with the ability to anticipate challenges, align operations with long-term objectives and operate effectively in dynamic, high-risk situations.

E. Sound judgement and discretion in managing sensitive issues, crises and emerging risks, with a demonstrated capacity for autonomous decision-making.

The Human Resources Section based in the Australian High Commission, London is responsible for managing all recruitment processes across the European region. To apply, please use the 'Apply' button below. Please direct any other queries to recruitment.london@dfat.gov.au.

We are committed to providing an inclusive and diverse workplace where all employees are valued. We appreciate the experiences, skills and perspectives of all individuals. We actively encourage applications from people from diverse backgrounds who share our values.

The Australian Consulate, Çanakkale is seeking an Head of Operations and Engagement to join the team.