Cultural Officer for Embassy of Ireland in Beijing

Cultural Officer for Ireland

Beijing

Deadline: 2nd May 2025

The Embassy’s mission is to promote and protect abroad the values, interests and economic

wellbeing of Ireland and its people.

Applications are invited for the post of Cultural Officer at the Embassy of Ireland in Beijing. This

position will enhance the promotion of Irish Arts and Culture in China by delivering Ireland’s cultural

goals and feeding into the cultural and broader aspects of Ireland’s Asia Pacific Strategy. The Embassy

of Ireland in Beijing promotes and protects Irish interests and values in China and Mongolia, working

with the Irish community and other stakeholders to support and grow the strong cultural relationship

between China and Ireland as a vital part of the wider bilateral relationship.

The work of the Cultural Officer will aim to strengthen the relationship between Ireland and China,

promote Irish culture and arts in China. S/he will build links between Ireland and our diaspora, our

reverse-diaspora and will seek out new audiences, in order to bring Irish arts and culture to new

Chinese audiences. The role will have a significant focus on increasing the visibility of Irish culture,

developing new relationships, and providing enhanced support to existing partners.

We are seeking an experienced organiser in the Cultural industry in China, who is confident to

organise and deliver initiatives and projects in many different provinces, while being based in the

Embassy in Beijing. A successful candidate will have several years experience in organising projects,

managing budgets, and growing networks, and have a very high degree of proficiency in English and

written and oral fluency in Mandarin Chinese.

The successful candidate will be expected to work with the Embassy team in Beijing, but primarily

work independently on events and initiatives.

Reporting to the Deputy Head of Mission and working under the strategic guidance of the

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Culture Ireland - including our programme partners, the

Cultural Officer’s responsibilities will include:

• Promoting Ireland’s cultural engagement throughout China and at times, Mongolia, in line with

relevant multi-annual strategies and programmes to promote Irish culture internationally. • Initiate and develop an annual programme of cultural events and take forward projects

initiated by the Ambassador, other senior officers in the Embassy, or the Headquarters of the

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Dublin, as well as supporting projects funded by

Culture Ireland or other Irish cultural agencies.

• Develop relationships with partner organisations outside Beijing on an ongoing basis and

bridge those relationships with Irish cultural organisations to deliver events, touring

opportunities, or other spaces for Irish visibility and cultural promotion. 2

• Develop partnerships between Irish and Chinese artists, ensembles, institutions, venues and

festivals, particularly outside Beijing, including the Irish artistic and creative diaspora

residents in China.

• Working alongside other European Diplomatic Missions and the EUNIC (EU National

Institutes for Culture) network to situate Ireland and Irish culture in its European context,

presenting Ireland as both European and Irish.

• Assisting in the development, delivery and promotion of cultural events generally on behalf

of the Embassy, Culture Ireland, and other relevant state bodies, including flagship or

large-scale initiatives and cultural programmes for high-level visits by senior political leaders.

• Collaborating with the Consulates General in Hong Kong and Shanghai in the planning and

execution of their cultural programmes.

• Working with the Embassy, Consulates and State Agencies in China to maximise the

promotional impact of cultural events funded by the State to enhance Ireland’s visibility and

reputation.

• Monitoring and reporting on the impact of cultural events, including those funded or

supported by the Irish missions in China, those in receipt of Culture Ireland support, and

other partnership-based events.

The ideal candidate should be able to demonstrate:

• Capacity to take the initiative, plan and manage projects and budgets from concept to

execution, and to work independently while respecting the reporting structure in the Embassy.

• Extensive and up-to-date knowledge of the contemporary Chinese cultural sector, including

festivals, venues, arts institutions, agents and promoters.

• Knowledge of working with publicly funded bodies and official institutions in China.

• Proven ability to deliver arts and cultural projects.

• Adaptability and willingness to continually learn about Ireland and the Irish cultural scene.

• Up-to-date knowledge of contemporary Irish arts and culture.

• High-level networking and communication skills including the capacity to develop and

strengthen links with partner organisations and to interact well as part of a diverse Embassy

team.

• Strong organisational and administrative skills.

• Flexibility is required for out-of-hours work, for cultural events.

To be eligible the following qualifications and competences are required:

• A third-level qualification in a relevant area or a minimum of FIVE years’ experience in the arts

and culture sector; a high level of work experience in the arts and culture sector. Evidence of

organising projects and budgets;

• Excellent written and oral communication, including a high degree of written and oral

proficiency in English (at least C1 level) and written and oral fluency in Mandarin Chinese;

• A high level of discretion, initiative, commitment and reliability;

• A good understanding of the role of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade;

• Excellent interpersonal and networking skills;

• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment, meet deadlines, plan and organize

work and assignments with minimal supervision;

• The successful candidate must have a legal entitlement to live and work in China, prior to

recruitment.

• The successful candidate will be hired on a three year fixed-term contractual basis with one

year on probation and will be based at the Embassy of Ireland, Beijing. Some out of hours

work can be expected.

• The starting salary for this position is ********** RMB per annum. The salary will be paid through

the Diplomatic Service Bureau on a monthly basis. Salaries are paid direct to a bank account,

therefore the successful candidate must have a bank account.

• Hours of attendance/employment are not less than 40 hours per week. Good timekeeping is

essential.

• The position will have an annual leave allowance of 20 days per annum, in accordance with

local labour law

• Depending on the number of applications received, a short-listing of candidates to be called

for a competency-based interview may be undertaken based on the Essential Requirements

above.

• It is planned that interviews will be held in late May/early June 2025.

• A skills test may be included in the recruitment process;

• A second interview may be included in the recruitment process; and

• A panel may be set up depending on the calibre of candidates;

General Data Protection Regulation:

All personal information received will be kept in line with GDPR guidelines.

Security Clearance for Local Staff

Police security clearance will be sought in respect of individuals who come under consideration for

appointment. Enquiries may also be made with the police force of any country in which the applicant

under consideration for appointment resided. If unsuccessful this information will be destroyed. If

the applicant subsequently comes under consideration for another position they will be required to

supply this information again.

Please note that canvassing will disqualify applicants.

The Embassy of Ireland, Beijing is committed to a policy of Equal Opportunity.