Associate, Capability Development

Premier's Department; Sydney; On-site; AUD 117,000 - 129,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible Working

Career Development

Work-Life Balance

Wellbeing Support

Inclusive Culture

Job summary

Premier’s Department is seeking an Associate, Capability Development to strengthen NSW emergency management capability through policy development, training, and continuous improvement initiatives. The role sits in the Emergency Management Branch and collaborates with agencies to shape policy and deliver capability-building programs.

You will help design and deliver the NSW Emergency Management Curriculum, translate lessons into improvements, and support workshops, exercises and learning

Qualifications

• Policy research, development or evaluation experience.
• Understanding of emergency management frameworks and environments.
• Ability to coordinate priorities, deliver high-quality work on tight timeframes.
• Strong communication and relationship-building with government agencies.
• Analytical thinking with evidence-based recommendations.
• Experience designing or supporting training and capability-building initiatives.
• Collaborative mindset and teamwork across groups.
• Familiarity with learning management systems.

Responsibilities

• Strengthen emergency management capability across NSW through policy development and training initiatives.
• Deliver high-profile policy and reform projects with government partners.
• Contribute to the NSW Emergency Management Curriculum and learning resources.
• Translate lessons learned into practical improvements and support workshops and exercises.
• Support preparedness, response and recovery capability across communities.

Skills

Policy reform

Emergency management

Project delivery

Stakeholder engagement

Analytical thinking

Capability development

Collaboration

Technology learning

Tools

Learning Management Systems

Job description

Premier’s Department

Associate, Capability Development

You. At the centre of big ideas.

• Shape the future of emergency management capability across NSW through policy development, training initiatives and continuous improvement programs.
• Work on high-profile, whole-of-government projects that strengthen preparedness, response and recovery outcomes for communities.
• Temporary, Clerk Grade 7/8 ($116,981 - $129,492 per annum) opportunity, based in Martin Place, Sydney available up to 16 June 2027 with potential for extension or ongoing employment.

About the Role

As an Associate, Capability Development, you'll play a key role in strengthening emergency management capability across NSW and supporting initiatives that help communities prepare for, respond to and recover from emergencies and disasters.

Working within the Emergency Management Branch, you'll contribute to high-profile policy, capability and reform projects that support whole-of-government priorities and deliver meaningful outcomes for communities across the State. You'll partner with agencies and stakeholders across government to shape policy, drive continuous improvement and build capability across the emergency management sector.

A key focus of the role is supporting the design and delivery of the NSW Emergency Management Curriculum, including the development of training programs, learning resources and capability-building initiatives that strengthen emergency management expertise across NSW. You'll also help translate lessons learned and emerging evidence into practical improvements, contribute to workshops and exercises, and support initiatives that enhance preparedness, response and recovery capability.

This is a unique opportunity to combine policy development, project delivery, stakeholder engagement and learning design in a role that has a tangible impact on the resilience and safety of NSW communities.

To learn more about the role, please review the Role Description.

We're Looking For

• Policy & Reform Expertise: Experience researching, developing, implementing or evaluating policy, strategic initiatives, service delivery reforms or capability development programs.
• Emergency Management Knowledge: Understanding of emergency management frameworks, policies, arrangements or related operational environments.
• Project Delivery Skills: Ability to coordinate competing priorities, deliver high-quality work to tight timeframes, and contribute to complex projects and initiatives.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Strong communication and relationship-building skills, with confidence engaging across government agencies and diverse stakeholder groups.
• Analytical Thinking: Ability to analyse information, identify practical solutions and provide evidence-based recommendations.
• Capability Development Experience: Experience designing, delivering or supporting training, learning, capability-building, continuous improvement or workforce development initiatives will be highly regarded.
• Collaborative Mindset: A team player who values partnership, shares knowledge and contributes to collective success.
• Technology & Innovation: Confidence using technology to improve efficiency, with experience using learning management systems highly regarded.

We value diverse experiences. Even if you're not sure you meet all requirements, we encourage you to apply.

Why Join Us?

• Flexible Working: Broad range of flexible working arrangements
• Career Development: Ongoing learning through expert-led sessions, online training, and professional development opportunities
• Work-Life Balance: Flex time accrual for extra hours worked (for non-executive roles) based on a 35-hour standard week
• Wellbeing Support: Access to employee assistance program, fitness passport program, and wellbeing initiatives
• Inclusive Culture: Staff-led networks including Aboriginal Staff Advisory Committee, Diversity & Inclusion Network, and Young Professionals Network

Closing date:

Wednesday, 30 September 2026 (11.59pm)

Salary:

Clerk Grade 7/8. Package includes base salary ($116,981 - $129,492) plus superannuation (12%) and leave loading.

Hiring Manager:

Cara Sykes, Associate Director via [e-mail]

About the Premier's Department

Connecting to Deliver from the Heart of Government

The Premier's Department leads the state's 430,000 public servants, driving collaboration and the delivery of whole-of-government priorities. Learn more about the department and a career at Premier’s Department.

Our Commitment

We welcome and encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, the LGBTQIA+ community, people with disability, people with caring responsibilities, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, veterans and other diverse communities.

The Premier's Department acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work and live. We pay respect to Ancestors and Elders past and present. We recognise and learn from the strengths of First Nations peoples of New South Wales and their continuing connection to, and unique cultural and spiritual relationship with, Country.

Additional Information

Reasonable Adjustments:

The selection process will include assessment techniques to determine your suitability. You can request reasonable adjustments at any stage by indicating in pre-screening questions, contacting the Talent Team at [e-mail], or reaching out to the hiring manager.

Talent Pool:

A talent pool may be created from this recruitment process. If eligible, you may be contacted for ongoing and temporary opportunities in the same role or grade that become available over an 18-month period.