Finance Officer (LE4)
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) section of the Australian Consulate-General Shanghai is seeking applicants to fill the following locally engaged position:
- Finance Officer (LE4)
The above position is open to Chinese and Australian nationals.
Australian nationals must be able to obtain Chinese work visa and residence permit to be able to enter and remain in China to work for the Consulate. Due to current international travel bans and strict local entry restrictions as a result of COVID-19, Australian applicants are likely to face significant obstacles when seeking residence permits or entering China. Potential applicants should familiarise themselves with the latest restrictions and processes before applying. The Australian Consulate General Shanghai does not provide relocation assistance and any costs associated with taking up the position would be the responsibility of the successful candidate.
The successful applicant will be offered an initial fixed term contract of 12 months with the possibility for extension and are subject to a probationary period.
The annual basic salary for LE 4 position is CNY 168,979.20 plus the employer’s social security contributions. Where the successful candidate is an Australian national, he/she will receive an allowance in lieu of the employer’s social security contributions. Superannuation contribution will be deducted from the allowance for an Australian tax resident.
Your application, written in English and addressed in the title ‘Application for LE4 Finance Officer + your name’, must include:
A one-page pitch of no more than 1000 words outlining how your skills, experience and qualifications make you the best person for the job;
Curriculum vitae including your nationality and country of residency. If you are an Australian citizen in China, please advise your Chinese visa category.
Contact details for two work-related referees (at least one should be your current or recent supervisor)
Applications and inquiries should be emailed to acgshanghai.recruitment@dfat.gov.au. Closing date for applications is 5pm, Friday 28 October 2022. Please consider your application unsuccessful if you have not received any contact within four weeks from the closing date.
What should I include in my pitch?
Your one page pitch is a chance to tell us why you are the right person for the job. We want to know why you want to work at the Australian Consulate General, why you are interested in the role, what you can offer us, and how your skills, knowledge, experience and qualifications are applicable to the role. In a nutshell – why should we hire you?
Try not to duplicate information that can already be found in your resume, but do highlight any specific examples or achievements that will demonstrate your ability to perform the role.
About the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)
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
The position works under the direction of DFAT’s Accountant and is a member of the Shanghai finance team, which is the finance hub and Regional Processing Centre (RPC) which delivers financial services to the Australian Government’s mainland China spokes. The position is responsible for managing the accounting of all financial transactions and assisting in the financial reporting process.
The key responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to:
Provide operational and high-level accounting support for all accounts processing functions, in accordance with the departmental guidelines and legislative requirements;
Complete bank reconciliations for DFAT China posts;
Maintain up-to-date financial records, assist in preparing and monitoring budget and expenditure reports;
Prepare financial reports for review by post management;
Contribute expertise to resolving routine and more complex financial matters;
Contribute expertise to the implementation of systems and process improvement initiatives;
Draft correspondence and financial policy documents for review by senior staff;
Undertake data quality checks and assurance activities to ensure the accuracy and appropriateness of information and procedures;
Establish, develop and maintain strong working relationships with relevant contacts in spoke posts and a range of key internal and external stakeholders, including financial institutions and vendors;
Negotiate payment arrangements with internal and external stakeholders;
Review the work of junior finance staff and help to coach and mentor them; and
Perform back-up duties of the Accountant or Finance colleagues (includes the Travel Officer) or other administration tasks, as required.
Qualifications/Experience
Demonstrated finance skills qualifications.
Experience in using a finance management system such as SAP and TM1.
Problem-solving skills and an ability to think creatively to find solutions.
Analytical skills, including an ability to check the accuracy of information and perform quality assurance tasks.
Demonstrated leadership skills.
Strong interpersonal and communications skills, including an ability to work productively as part of a team and be able to consult with internal and external stakeholders.
Flexibility and adaptability, especially when implementing change.
Computer skills, including a working knowledge of the Microsoft Office suite of products.
English and Mandarin language skills.
CPA/CA qualifications an advantage.