Before this appointment, Hand was worked for the Department of Climate Change as the Ambassador for Climate Change (2009–2011). Hand has served overseas as Minister and Deputy Head of Mission at the Australian Embassy, Jakarta (2005 to 2009), Ambassador to Cambodia (2000 to 2003), Counselor, Australian Permanent Mission on Disarmament, Geneva (1995 to 1998), and Third (later Second) Secretary at the Australian Embassy in Vienna (1986 to 1989).