Assistant Director, Closing the Gap - Affirmative Measure - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander

Department of Employment and Workplace Relations; Darwin; On-site; AUD 129,000 - 143,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) is seeking an Executive Level 1 leader to drive implementation activities and provide strategic advice to advance the National Agreement on Closing the Gap. You will guide DEWR's commitments, challenge business units, and foster genuine partnerships with First Nations stakeholders.

You will lead monitoring, reporting, and governance activities, influence internal governance committees, and embed Priority Reforms across DEWR, with a

Qualifications

• Responsibilities at EL1 include leading projects and work programs that support the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.
• Provide strategic and evidence-based advice to senior leaders on policy, program and organisational reform issues affecting First Nations peoples.
• Support Priority Reforms and embed culturally responsive and partnership-based approaches across DEWR.
• Build and maintain productive relationships with internal stakeholders and act as a trusted business partner to support organisational change.

Responsibilities

• Leading projects and work programs that support implementation of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap and DEWR's Closing the Gap commitments
• Providing strategic and evidence-based advice to senior leaders on policy, program and organisational reform issues affecting First Nations peoples
• Supporting DEWR business areas to implement Priority Reforms and embed culturally responsive and partnership-based approaches across DEWR
• Building and maintaining productive relationships with internal stakeholders and acting as a trusted business partner to support organisational change
• Identifying emerging issues, risks and opportunities and providing practical recommendations to support decision-making
• Contributing to cross-government initiatives and collaborating with the National Indigenous Australians Agency, central agencies and other departments to share better practice approaches
• Leading monitoring, evaluation and reporting activities, including preparation of high-quality briefings, submissions and governance reporting
• Supporting and mentoring team members, sharing knowledge and contributing to a positive and inclusive team culture

Job description

Location and Salary

Location(s): Adelaide, SA; Alice Springs, NT; Bendigo, VIC; Brisbane, QLD; Canberra, ACT; Darwin, NT; Hobart, TAS; Mackay, QLD; Melbourne, VIC; Newcastle, NSW; Orange, NSW; Perth, WA; Rockhampton, QLD; Sydney, NSW; Townsville, QLD.

Salary: $129,477-$143,099

Job Level: Executive Level 1

About The Department Of Employment And Workplace Relations

We are committed to empowering futures, ensuring rights and enriching lives. We support people to have safe, secure and well-paid work with the skills for a sustainable future as we ourselves strive to be a model employer.

We provide the framework for fair and productive relationships between employers and employees. We also oversee skills development and training initiatives to support those entering the workforce or re-training to take advantage of emerging employment opportunities.

With us, your work directly contributes to shaping the employment landscape. Whether youre engaging in policy development, program implementation, or direct support services, your efforts will have a tangible impact on job seekers, employees and the economy by giving them a framework to build a future anchored and realised through employment.

It is our ambition to do things differently, to create the ‘department of great jobs’– where our people reflect our purpose.

The Role

Reporting to the Director, you will be responsible for leading implementation activities and providing strategic advice to support DEWR's commitments toward the National Agreement on Closing the Gap. The roles involve inspiring and challenging DEWR business units to critically assess their approaches, their successes and drive innovative solutions for working in genuine partnership with First Nations stakeholders. The roles will also lead monitoring and reporting activities, including providing strategic input to internal governance committees and embedding Closing the Gap Priority Reforms across all of DEWR's business.

Please note that the initial vacancy is for an ongoing position. A merit pool will be established for future ongoing and non-ongoing vacancies that may arise.

Duties and Responsibilities

Responsibilities of the EL1 level may include:

• Leading projects and work programs that support implementation of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap and DEWR's Closing the Gap commitments
• Providing strategic and evidence-based advice to senior leaders on policy, program and organisational reform issues affecting First Nations peoples
• Supporting DEWR business areas to implement Priority Reforms and embed culturally responsive and partnership-based approaches across DEWR
• Building and maintaining productive relationships with internal stakeholders and acting as a trusted business partner to support organisational change
• Identifying emerging issues, risks and opportunities and providing practical recommendations to support decision‑making
• Contributing to cross-government initiatives and collaborating with the National Indigenous Australians Agency, central agencies and other departments to share better practice approaches
• Leading monitoring, evaluation and reporting activities, including preparation of high-quality briefings, submissions and governance reporting
• Supporting and mentoring team members, sharing knowledge and contributing to a positive and inclusive team culture.

Written Story

In this phase, we want you to tell us a compelling story about yourself and your experiences.

Your written story should specifically address each section in the key duties relevant to the classification you are applying for. The APS work level standards accommodate the diversity of roles across the APS and are structured to clearly differentiate between the work expected (i.e. responsibilities and duties) at each classification level. Prior to preparing your written story, it is recommended you review the Work Level Standards relevant to the classification advertised.

Candidates are required to provide a story up to a maximum of 500 words outlining:

• Your skills, knowledge and experience and how they relate to the key duties and capabilities relevant the classification you are applying for.
• Any specific examples or achievements that demonstrate your ability to perform as per the key duties relevant to the classification you are applying for.

Try not to duplicate information that can already be found in your resume but do highlight any specific examples or achievements that will demonstrate your ability to perform the role.

While we prefer that work examples are used in your story, you can also use examples from study or community experiences. When you include an example, you should clearly explain:

Setting – where the event took place

Characters – who was involved

Action - approach you took – what did YOU do

Ending/Outcome – what was the result

Resume

Please attach a concise resume to your application which clearly outlines your work experience, educational qualifications and relevant skills. In the application form you will need to provide the details of two referees who can attest and validate your credentials and suitability for the role.

Eligibility

These positions are only open to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This is consistent with Section 31 of the Australian Public Service Commissioner’s Directions 2022. The filling of this employment opportunity constitutes a special measure under subsection 8(1) of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975.

Don’t meet all the role requirements?

At DEWR we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workforce and seek to recruit staff with a wide range of backgrounds, skill levels, disciplines and working styles. If this role resonates with you and you’re excited about making an impact, but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly, we encourage you to apply anyway.

Confirmation of Heritage

Candidates who are applying under the affirmative measures must have their Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander heritage confirmed.

• is of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent; and
• identifies as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person; and
• is accepted as such by the community in which they live or formerly lived.

Suitable evidence of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander heritage may include:

• a letter signed by the Chairperson of an incorporated Indigenous organisation confirming that the applicant is recognised as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person, or
• a confirmation of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent document executed by an Indigenous organisation.

If the above documents are not available, the department may accept a signed letter without a common seal a statutory declaration from the candidate and a Community Elder.

The department has an Indigenous Liaison Officer (ILO) who is available to support you throughout the recruitment process. To speak to our ILO please email [e-mail].

Citizenship

- to be eligible for employment with the Department, you must be an Australian Citizen or, in limited circumstances, in the process of obtaining it.

Security Clearance

- our successful candidate is required to hold, or have the ability to obtain, and maintain a Baseline security clearance.

Please refer to the Job Information Pack for more information about the role.

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