Assistant Director, Digital Policy | Full-time Temporary

Australian Capital Territory; Canberra; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

ACT Government's Digital Policy team is seeking a policy professional to work closely with senior executives on high-priority technology, digital and reform initiatives. You will help shape advice, strategy and decision-making processes, contributing across government with flexibility and practical problem-solving.

The role offers opportunities to influence policy development, governance reform, and to engage a broad range of stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for diverse government audiences.
• Ability to turn complex issues into clear, practical advice, briefings, reports and materials for decision-makers.
• Ability to build productive relationships with senior executives, policy teams and governance forums across government.
• Experience developing policy, strategy, governance, reform or advisory products with analytical judgement.
• Strong organisational skills, sound judgement and ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Collaborative, curious and solutions-focused approach with cross-team collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Work directly with senior executives on high-priority matters, shaping the work program.
• Prepare advice for decision-makers, governance materials and guidance for cross-government use.

Skills

Excellent communication

Policy research

Stakeholder engagement

Writing for decision-makers

Governance and reform

Team collaboration

Job description

Details: The Digital Policy team sits at the centre of some of the ACT Government's most significant technology, digital and reform initiatives. We help shape how government plans, governs and invests in technology, providing strategic advice to senior executives and supporting key whole-of-government decision-making processes. Our work spans technology investment and governance, digital strategy, Cabinet and ministerial matters, cross-government reform, and emerging policy challenges that influence the future direction of government services. This is a collaborative team that values curiosity, creativity and practical problem solving, and offers flexible working arrangements alongside opportunities to work directly with senior leaders from across government.

This role offers an opportunity to work directly with senior executives on high-priority matters, from technology investment and governance reform, strategic policy development and projects with whole-of-government reach. Over the coming months, the team will be progressing several significant projects, and the successful applicant will have the opportunity to help shape their work program based on their strengths, interests and experience.

We welcome applicants from a variety of backgrounds. You might bring strong government writing skills, experience preparing advice for decision-makers, governance or committee experience, Cabinet process knowledge, policy development expertise, experience developing clear communications and guidance materials, or a track record of bringing people together to solve complex problems. If you're looking for a role with variety, visibility, flexibility and genuine influence, we'd love to hear from you.

Eligibility/Other Requirements:

What we are looking for:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to turn complex issues into clear, practical advice, briefings, reports and other materials for a range of government audiences. We are particularly interested in people who can make policy and governance information easier to understand, navigate and apply in practice.
• The ability to build productive relationships and work effectively with a diverse range of stakeholders, including senior executives, policy teams, delivery areas and governance forums across government.
• Experience developing policy, strategy, governance, reform or advisory products, with the ability to analyse complex information, exercise judgement and provide high-quality advice to support decision‑making.
• Strong organisational skills, sound judgement and the ability to manage competing priorities while delivering quality outcomes in a fast-paced environment.
• A collaborative, curious and solutions‑focused approach. We value people who enjoy working as part of a team, are comfortable exploring new ideas, and can contribute to practical and innovative solutions to complex challenges.

Experience in areas such as government writing, Cabinet processes, governance and committee management, stakeholder engagement, strategic reform, or policy development will be highly regarded. We welcome applicants with a range of backgrounds and experiences and recognise that no candidate is likely to bring expertise across every aspect of the role.

The successful applicant must be an Australian citizen and possess or be able to acquire and maintain an Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) security clearance at the baseline level.

Notes: This is a temporary position available immediately for up to five months. This position is available to ACT Government officers and employees only.

Selection may be based on application and referee reports only.

Note: Under the ACTPS employment framework you may be placed in another role where required for the efficient administration of the service.

Where an offer of employment is for a fixed-term period, any related temporary contracts within the Territory will be issued in compliance with the requirements and applicable exceptions outlined in the Fair Work Act.

The ACT public service is committed to closing the gap, underpinned by the belief that when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have a genuine say in the design and delivery of policies, programs and services that affect them, better life outcomes are achieved. More information can be found here ACT Closing the Gap Implementation Plan - ACT Government Transparency Portal .

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Note

This is a temporary position available immediately for up to five months. This position is available to ACT Government officers and employees only.