Assistant Director

Department of Defence; Canberra; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Defence invites an experienced Human Services practitioner to join the Directorate of Helpline, Incidents and Welfare Policy in Canberra. Your work will support ADF members and their families navigating military life and postings.

You will lead the administration of the Families with Special Needs program, supervise the program manager and team, and collaborate with diverse stakeholders to improve reporting, budgeting, procurement and quality assurance.

Qualifications

• Demonstrate professional judgement in support of members, families and Command.
• Build trusted relationships within the Branch and with stakeholders.
• Monitor progress, manage risks and adapt plans as needed.
• Attention to detail and ability to work with complex ICT systems and data as a strategic asset.

Responsibilities

• Lead the administration and strategic direction of the Families with Special Needs program, supervising the Program Manager and team.
• Support the directorate to assess the suitability of applicants under the Overseas Lateral Entry program.
• Design and implement enhancements to support members, families and Command, including managing delegations for categorising recognised family and approving education assistance funding.
• Engage with stakeholders to understand needs and support reporting tasks, procurement, budgeting and quality assurance.

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Human Services practitioner to join the Directorate of Helpline, Incidents and Welfare Policy team. Your input will directly support ADF members and their families to navigate the challenges of military life.

Your duties will include:

• Leading the administration and strategic direction of the Families with Special Needs program, including supervising the Families with Special Needs Program Manager and team.
• Supporting the directorate to carry out our responsibilities in assessing the suitability of applicants under the Overseas Lateral Entry program.
• Helping to design and implement a range of enhancements to better support members, families and Command including managing certain delegations for categorising a member’s recognised family and approving education assistance funding.
• Engaging with a range of stakeholders to understand the needs of members, families and Command and supporting the broader directorate and Helpline team including assisting with a range of reporting tasks, business support activities including procurement, budgeting and quality assurance.

About our Team

Work in a place where you are a valued member of a great team!

Defence Member and Family Support is a diverse and supportive workplace which delivers a broad range of programs and services to help Commanders, ADF members, and their families to manage the military lifestyle.

The Directorate of Helpline, Incidents and Welfare Policy is responsible for a range of welfare-related matters and manages the 24/7 Defence Member and Family Helpline. The Assistant Director Helpline, Incidents and Welfare Policy will work closely with this dedicated team of professionals who strive to support members and their families during postings, times of member absence and during crises and bereavement.

Your work will closely align with the National Defence Strategy's people priorities and will contribute to the Defence mission to defend Australia and its national interests in order to advance Australia’s security and prosperity.

Our Ideal Candidate

Our ideal candidate for this role will:

• Demonstrate that our people are our most important capability.
• Use sound professional judgement in support of members, families and Command using a customer-centric approach.
• Build trusted and productive relationships within the Branch and with our stakeholders.
• Be responsible for delivering successful outcomes by monitoring progress, managing risks and issues, and adapting plans as needed.
• Have a strong attention to detail and a proven ability to work with complex ICT systems and have the skills to use data as a strategic asset.

Security Clearance

Baseline: Applicants must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance at Baseline Vetting level.

Getting to know the Department of Defence

The Department of Defence employs around 18,000 Australian Public Service (APS) employees. Defence APS employees work in a wide variety of critical roles, Australia wide, enabling our three services Navy, Army and Air Force, to do their job. Defence has a range of Australian Public Service (APS) career opportunities that offer interesting, challenging, and unique work. Our workforce includes administrative support, accountants, intelligence analysts, engineers, policy advisors, graphic designers, lawyers, social workers, IT specialists and contract managers to name a few. We offer a rewarding career that includes professional development, work-life balance, recognition, a flexible and supportive work environment and a diverse workforce. To find out more about a career with Defence please visit https://www.defence.gov.au/jobs-careers