The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) Office of the Australian Consulate-General Shanghai is seeking applicants to fill the following locally engaged position:
- Senior Interpreter and Research Officer (LE5)
The above position is open to Chinese and Australian nationals.
This is a fixed-term position established to backfill a parental leave vacancy. The contract is expected to conclude on 30 September 2027, with the possibility of a short-term extension only, subject to business requirements.
The annual basic salary for this position is CNY ¥249,091.44 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. Australian Superannuation Guarantee Contribution (SGC) will be deducted from the allowance for an Australian tax resident.
Your application, written in English, addressed in the title ‘Application for Senior Interpreter and Research Officer + your name’ must include:
- A one page pitch of no more than 500 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 [email protected]. Closing date for applications is 5pm, 14 August 2026. 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 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 LE5 Senior Interpreter and Research Officer is the Australian Consulate-General in Shanghai’s lead interpreter and translator, responsible for delivering high-quality Mandarin Chinese and English interpreting and translation services. The role also provides targeted research, analysis and reporting on a range of complex economic, political and social issues.
The position engages with Chinese government counterparts, local companies and universities, and provides protocol, logistical and operational advice and support for official meetings, provincial travel and incoming and outgoing official delegations. The role may require domestic travel and some work outside standard business hours.
The key responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to:
- Manage and provide high quality formal translation and interpretation services for the Consulate-General’s work and activities in Shanghai and across the Consulate’s area of responsibility (Anhui, Hubei, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Zhejiang). This includes interpreting for the Consul-General and other officials at formal meetings and events, as well as translating formal inwards and outward correspondence, diplomatic communications and media. Actively monitor and review accuracy of work and lead improvements in language capability.
- Represent and promote the interests of Australia at a range of external events including forums and meetings and report on key outcomes, developments and issues.
- Provide high-level advice and recommendations on policy, protocol, logistical and travel issues. Develop innovative updates to policies and practices to ensure continuous improvement.
- Undertake, and develop work plans in support of, high quality English language strategic research, analysis and reporting on topics of importance to the Consulate-General, including economic, political and social issues.
- Build, maintain and strengthen working relationships and undertake liaison and negotiation with a range of key internal and external stakeholders, including Chinese government departments, businesses and official organisations.
- Provide policy, logistical and operational advice and support for high-level official visits to China by Australian Government representatives, as well as provincial and municipal visits by the Ambassador, Consul-General and other Australian officials.
- Support other team priorities, including implementation of the Consulate-General’s Public Diplomacy Strategy and Communications Plan.
- Relieve other positions in the Consulate-General’s Research, Visits and Public Diplomacy team during periods of staff absences.
Qualifications/Experience
- Appropriate tertiary qualifications and a demonstrated ability to communicate at a high level effectively and clearly (both orally and written) in both English and Mandarin are essential.
- Formal interpreting and translating qualifications and extensive professional experience in high-quality consecutive interpreting and written translation are essential.
- High-level knowledge of, and ability to capture, the nuance and formality of diplomatic language in both Mandarin and English.
- Demonstrated ability to actively maintain and improve level of interpretation and translation proficiency.
- Highly developed conceptual, research and analytical skills – qualitative and quantitative – and an ability to show initiative and apply sound judgement. A proactive and practical approach to problem solving.
- Well-developed ability to undertake research, using both English and Chinese sources, and produce quality analytical reports on issues of interest to the Australian Government. Proven ability to coordinate end-to-end projects in a timely and effective manner.
- Proven negotiation and problem-solving skills and ability to develop innovative and high-quality programs in support of visiting delegations and the Consulate-General’s provincial travel agenda.
- Advanced use of the Microsoft Office suite of programs, especially Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook, and the ability to use databases and undertake internet-based research.
- Excellent interpersonal, teamwork and communications skills with a demonstrated ability to work effectively individually and contribute to leading a close-knit team.
- Flexibility and adaptability, especially when implementing change.
- Demonstrated ability to deliver on commitments, build trust with stakeholders and colleagues, and utilise networks and negotiation skills to achieve results.
- Strong ability to prioritise a busy workload, work under pressure, offer solutions and meet deadlines with great attention to detail.