Ms Clare Walsh was appointed Deputy Secretary, Chief Operating Officer, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in July 2022.

Prior to assuming her current role, Ms Walsh was Deputy Secretary at the Department of Finance leading the Business Enabling Services Group to deliver  services, whole of government information technology systems and platforms, and  support to parliamentarians and their staff through the Ministerial and Parliamentary Services Division.

From 2018 to 2020, Ms Walsh was the Deputy Secretary for the Global Cooperation, Development and Partnerships Group with Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

From 2016 to 2018, Ms Walsh was the Deputy Head of Mission at the Australian Embassy in Japan.

Ms Walsh has a wide range of international and domestic policy experience from her 20 years working in the Australian Public Service. Ms Walsh led DFAT's development work of the G20 throughout Australia's Presidency in 2014. She was responsible for Australia's engagement in international efforts to design the post-2015 development agenda and the related global discussions on development finance. She managed DFAT's relationships with key multilateral organisations, including the Multilateral Development Banks and global health, education, and environment funds as well as DFAT's bilateral relationships with other donor countries. Ms Walsh also managed Australia's strategic engagement with development focused non-government organisations and the Australian Volunteers for International Development program.

Ms Walsh was First Assistant Secretary of the International Division of the Department of Climate Change and formerly held positions in the Department of Environment and the Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources.

Ms Walsh's academic qualifications include a Bachelor of Arts, a Graduate Diploma in Environmental Studies, and a Master of Management.