Hugh Jeffrey is the First Assistant Secretary for International Policy at the Department of Defence in Canberra. Prior to joining the Defense Department, he held positions in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and the Office of National Assessments. Mr. Jeffrey has had four overseas postings, including as Minister Counsellor at the Embassy of Australia in the United States, and as  special secondee to NATO in Afghanistan, where he was Senior Advisor to International Security Assistance Force Commander and NATO Ambassador.