Psychosocial Wellbeing Support Adviser - Australia Awards Global Mechanism; AAGSM Global

Psychosocial Wellbeing Support Adviser - Australia Awards Global Support Mechanism (AAGSM) Global

• 2-year Fixed term with possibility of extension
• Competitive salary and hybrid work arrangement
• Friendly and supportive work environment
• Canberra preferred other locations within Australia considered

Palladium is a global leader in the design, development, and delivery of Positive Impact – the intentional creation of enduring social, climate and economic value. We work with governments, businesses, and investors to help solve the world's most pressing challenges. With a team of more than 4,000 employees operating in 90-plus countries and a global network of over 35,000 experts, we help improve economies, societies, the environment, and, most importantly, people's lives.

The Australia Awards Global Support Mechanism (AAGSM) is an initiative designed to enhance the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's (DFAT) international scholarship program by providing operational, technical and analytical services to DFAT and the broader scholarship delivery network (scholars, Universities, Industry, DFAT posts). In doing so, the AAGSM enhances DFAT's capacity to drive policy, partnerships and respond to the demand for evolved scholarship program delivery architecture.

The AAGSM consists of the Global Support Unit (GSU) – responsible for operational and technical services to DFAT's International Education and Scholarships Branch (EDB) and scholarship network, and the Global Research Unit (GRU).

The Psychosocial Wellbeing Support Adviser plays a key role in advancing strategic objectives by providing technical support services that promote gender equality, disability and social inclusion outcomes throughout DFAT's international scholarship programs network. It is responsible for providing high‑level psychosocial and wellbeing advice, policy guidance, capacity support and training across the Australia Awards network throughout the scholarship and Fellowships cycle.

The role supports the psychosocial wellbeing of scholars and fellows by offering expert psychosocial guidance, case management and advisory support to the network. It also leads the development of psychosocial wellbeing capacity building and learning initiatives and contributes to policy review and best‑practice programming.

The position is supervised by the Senior GEDSI Adviser and may oversee Short Term Advisers (STAs) to ensure a coordinated approach to case management, policy and service delivery.

Responsibilities will ensure:

• Lead and advise on critical psychosocial and mental health incidents in collaboration with scholars, DFAT, institutions and support services; contribute to policy development and improvements with a wellbeing focus; and design, deliver or support capacity‑building activities on psychosocial wellbeing, mental health and case management across the Australia Awards network.
• Provide confidential and culturally sensitive psychosocial support and case management to scholars, including pre‑departure assessments, tailored support plans, liaison with universities and DFAT on complex cases, referral to appropriate wellbeing services, and maintaining accurate case records in line with privacy and case management systems and protocols.
• Provide on‑demand expert advice to DFAT, Post staff and Australian universities on managing scholar psychosocial wellbeing issues, and support institutions in implementing and sharing best‑practice mental health and wellbeing approaches across the network, recognising differing institutional contexts and resourcing.
• Contribute to policy and program development by reviewing and enhancing psychosocial wellbeing policies, developing guidelines and resources, facilitating consultations across the Australia Awards network, and working with the M&E team to monitor trends and risks and recommend proactive strategies.
• Build capacity and strengthen stakeholder engagement by delivering psychosocial wellbeing training, fostering collaboration with institutions, working with the Disability Adviser on joint guidelines and toolkits for intersecting needs, and promoting an inclusive environment…