APS6 - Policy Officer and Data Analyst (Multiple Positions), Communications Services and Systems Division

Australian Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts; Sydney; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Australian Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts in Sydney seeks multiple APS-6 Policy Officers and Data Analysts for the Communications Services and Systems Division. Roles involve policy analysis, data-led advisory work and engagement with industry, regulators and central agencies.

Successful candidates will contribute to ministerial briefings, policy proposals and governance processes while supporting activities for international

Qualifications

• Sound judgement and the ability to exercise initiative when undertaking complex policy work under limited direction, including interpreting legislation and its alignment to policy intent.
• Strong research, critical thinking and analytical skills, including drawing together information from different sources and identifying implications, risks and practical options.

Responsibilities

• Research and analyse complex communications policy, strategic, governance and operational issues; assess evidence and stakeholder views; develop practical options and recommendations.
• Coordinate policy proposals, discussion papers, implementation plans, strategic and governance activities and ensure alignment across teams to resolve issues.
• Work with policy teams to define analytical questions, identify data sources, and collect, clean, validate and combine data relating to communications service availability, access and usage.
• Develop reports, dashboards and visualisations; explain findings and uncertainty to non-technical audiences and respond to complex analytical requests.
• Prepare executive and ministerial briefings, submissions and parliamentary material with clear differentiation of evidence, assumptions, risks and actions.
• Plan and coordinate stakeholder engagement with departmental teams, government agencies, industry and other stakeholders.

Job description

APS6 - Policy Officer and Data Analyst (Multiple Positions), Communications Services and Systems Division

Australian Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts - Sydney NSW

The Communications Services and Systems Division is the Australian Government's lead policy adviser on communications services and systems. We help create an environment where all Australians can access high-quality communications services and benefit from digital technologies and connectivity.

Our work includes telecommunications and radiocommunications policy, universal telecommunications service obligations, the universal outdoor mobile obligation, oversight of NBN Co and Australia Post, and policy relating to 5G and 6G mobile, satellite broadband and direct-to-device technology. We also manage legislative and regulatory frameworks for spectrum, telecommunications deployment and resilience, competition and digital inclusion.

We are recruiting multiple APS 6 Policy Officers and Data Analysts. Roles may also be filled across the Communication, Media and Sport Group in areas including program management, project management, stakeholder engagement and evaluation. A merit pool will be established for future vacancies.

The work is diverse, high-profile and often fast moving. You may contribute to ministerial briefings, major policy announcements, legislation, Cabinet and new policy proposal processes, and engagement with telecommunications providers, regulators, central agencies, and consumer and community organisations. Some roles will support Australia's preparations for the International Telecommunication Union World Radiocommunication Conference 2027 in Shanghai.

The division offers an inclusive, approachable and flexible workplace where people share expertise, support one another and recognise high-quality work.

The opportunity we have available

The Communications Services and Systems Division is the Australian Government's lead policy adviser on communications services and systems. We help create an environment where all Australians can access high-quality communications services and benefit from digital technologies and connectivity.

Our work includes telecommunications and radiocommunications policy, universal telecommunications service obligations, the universal outdoor mobile obligation, oversight of NBN Co and Australia Post, and policy relating to 5G and 6G mobile, satellite broadband and direct-to-device technology. We also manage legislative and regulatory frameworks for spectrum, telecommunications deployment and resilience, competition and digital inclusion.

We are recruiting multiple APS 6 Policy Officers and Data Analysts. Roles may also be filled across the Communication, Media and Sport Group in areas including program management, project management, stakeholder engagement and evaluation. A merit pool will be established for future vacancies.

The work is diverse, high-profile and often fast moving. You may contribute to ministerial briefings, major policy announcements, legislation, Cabinet and new policy proposal processes, and engagement with telecommunications providers, regulators, central agencies, and consumer and community organisations. Some roles will support Australia's preparations for the International Telecommunication Union World Radiocommunication Conference 2027 in Shanghai.

The division offers an inclusive, approachable and flexible workplace where people share expertise, support one another and recognise high-quality work.

The key duties of the position include:

What you will do

• research and analyse complex communications policy, strategic, governance and operational issues, assess evidence and stakeholder views, and develop practical options and recommendations that address benefits, costs, risks and implementation considerations


• coordinate policy proposals, discussion papers, implementation plans, strategic and governance activities, consultation and clearance processes, and work across teams to resolve issues and recommend improvements


• work with policy teams to define analytical questions, identify suitable data sources, and collect, clean, validate and combine data relating to communications service availability, access, usage and other policy issues


• assess analytical approaches, identify trends, service gaps and emerging issues, test assumptions, document methods and limitations, and interpret findings to inform policy and decision-making


• develop reports, dashboards and visualisations, explain findings and uncertainty to non-technical audiences, respond to complex analytical requests and improve recurring reporting processes


• prepare and coordinate executive and ministerial briefings, submissions, correspondence, parliamentary material and Senate Estimates briefs, clearly distinguishing evidence, assumptions, risks and recommended actions


• plan and coordinate stakeholder engagement with departmental teams, government agencies, industry and other relevant stakeholders, facilitate discussions and represent the department’s position within agreed parameters


• manage competing priorities, milestones, dependencies and quality checks, identify emerging risks and delivery pressures, and recommend practical solutions


• provide technical guidance, share knowledge, coordinate workflows and review team outputs. Where supervisory responsibilities apply, you may allocate work, set expectations, provide feedback and support staff development


• maintain appropriate records, exercise any assigned delegations efficiently and ethically, and take reasonable care for your own health and safety and that of others.

Inherent requirements for the role

The successful candidate will demonstrate capability against the APS 6 Work Level Standards and the following core requirements:

It is expected candidates preferring a Policy Officer role will be able to demonstrate:

• sound judgement and the ability to exercise initiative when undertaking complex policy work under limited direction, including the ability to interpret legislation and its alignment to the overarching policy intent


• strong research, critical thinking and analytical skills, including the ability to draw together information from different sources and identify implications, risks and practical options.

It is expected candidates preferring a Data Analyst role will be able to demonstrate:

• sound judgement and the ability to exercise initiative when undertaking complex data analysis under limited direction, including the ability to manage and interpret data relating to telecommunications infrastructure, economic indicators or tracking and reporting on key programs


• Strong research, critical thinking and analytical skills, including the ability to navigate data sharing across government or aggregation of data from different sources to be used for a variety of purposes and support evidence-based decision-making.

It is expected candidates will also demonstrate more generalist skills, including:

• clear written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate complex information into accessible, evidence-based advice for senior executives


• the ability to build productive relationships, engage effectively with internal and external stakeholders and incorporate different perspectives into advice and deliverables


• the ability to manage competing priorities, coordinate complex tasks or projects, monitor quality and delivery, and respond constructively to emerging issues


• the ability to provide guidance, review work and contribute to team capability and a safe, inclusive and productive workplace.

Desirable requirements

For Policy Officer roles, qualifications in