Graduate Development Program

Join AusAID for a career that matters

Are you interested in using your skills to make a difference for the world’s poor? Do you have an interest in public policy and development, international relations and other cultures? Do you have strong research, analytical and communication skills? If yes, consider working for AusAID—the Australian Agency for International Development.

AusAID is looking to recruit graduates with a range of attributes and skills through three streams to participate in an accelerated development program. The program begins in early February and provides an overview of AusAID and its operations over the course of two years.

Graduates participate in four different work rotations, which provide on-the-job training and skills development. Rotations are in various areas of the agency and may include policy, program, corporate or sectoral functions. Graduates may have an opportunity to undertake work overseas during the program.

All graduates are assigned a mentor and a buddy who can help support graduates with the range of personal and professional challenges in the workplace.

Graduates participate in an induction and training program consisting of courses, seminars and workshops. The training and work experience gained through the program provides a solid foundation for a career at AusAID.

On completion of the program, graduates are permanently placed within the agency and are encouraged to apply for promotion.

Graduate streams

AusAID recruits graduates in three separate streams:

• Policy and Program Stream
• Corporate Stream
• Sector Stream

Policy and Program Stream

The Policy and Program Stream is designed for people interested in working in a variety of program and policy areas in AusAID. Policy and Program graduates gain a broad knowledge of the agency’s functions and rotate through all areas of the agency, including policy, country program, sectoral and corporate areas.

Graduates develop skills in policy development through research and analysis in areas such as economic growth, education, environment, gender, governance, health, HIV/AIDS, pandemics, human rights, infrastructure, regional stability, rural development, water and sanitation and disability inclusive development. Graduates also develop skills in program and project management and support to the regional programs of PNG, Asia, Pacific, Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean and the Middle East. During rotations in the corporate areas of the agency graduates develop skills in policy development and implementation of HR, IT, Finance and Communications strategies.

Corporate Stream

The Corporate Stream is designed for people interested in working in the corporate functions of AusAID and developing a career in one of the following fields:

• human resources
• financial management & budget
• communications.

The Corporate graduates will develop skills relating to their specific corporate function and they are supervised and mentored by senior corporate staff in the agency. Graduates rotate through corporate areas of the agency relevant to their qualifications and undertake one rotation in a policy or program area.

During the program, graduates gain an understanding of the role of the legislative and policy frameworks in which Australian Public Service agencies operate. Graduates will also gain an understanding of the importance of workforce diversity and the link between workforce capability and the delivery of an effective aid program. Graduates develop skills in financial management and budgeting, executive and external reporting, information management, property management, security classifications and handling secure information, corporate service delivery and the importance of a close interaction between program and corporate areas.

Sector Stream

The Sector Stream is specifically for people with relevant qualifications and an interest in working in:

• education
• economics
• gender
• governance
• social development
• infrastructure.

The program will provide on-the-job training and skills development under the supervision of relevant sector staff. Rotations across the sectoral functions of the agency will also include rotations in country program areas. Graduates will have the opportunity to develop skills in their sector specific areas and will be mentored by staff with extensive knowledge in their fields. The role of the graduate will vary depending on the rotation, but may include policy development through research and analysis or supporting partnerships, program and/or projects in PNG, Asia, Pacific, Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean and the Middle East and/or with other relevant global or regional agencies.