Committee Secretary

Department of the Senate; South Canberra; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Department of the Senate is seeking qualified candidates for the role of Committee Secretary in the Legislative Scrutiny Unit of the Senate Procedure Office. The vacancies include an ongoing position and a 15-month parental leave backfill.

The Secretary leads a Secretariat, overseeing complex research, analysis, and drafting of committee reports and procedural documents. Successful candidates will liaise with chairs, legal advisers, and external stakeholders, and will drive staff development

Qualifications

• Desirable tertiary qualifications and/or significant experience with legislation.
• Experience leading a Secretariat or similar team.
• Strong analytical and research skills in legislative matters.

Responsibilities

• Lead a secretariat in one of the three legislative scrutiny committees.
• Undertake and supervise complex research and analytical work on bills and instruments.
• Manage drafting and production of regular committee reports and guidance materials.
• Prepare procedural documents including disallowance processes.
• Advise chair and committee members on proceedings.
• Manage secretariat staff and engage with legal advisers under policies.
• Contribute to legislative support within the Procedure Office and corporate functions.
• Develop knowledge of Senate procedures and parliamentary law.
• Explain committee processes to citizens and stakeholders.

Skills

Research & analysis

Legislative drafting

Stakeholder engagement

Leadership & staff management

Parliamentary procedure knowledge

Communication skills

Education

Tertiary qualifications or equivalent experience

Job description

The Department of the Senate is seeking applications from suitably qualified candidates to undertake the role of Committee Secretary in the Legislative Scrutiny Unit of the Senate Procedure Office.

The department is seeking to fill two vacancies: one ongoing position and a 15-month parental leave backfill opportunity.

Committee Secretaries lead teams undertaking complex research and analytical work, including the scrutiny of bills and legislative instruments and the drafting of committee reports and procedural documents.

Secretaries liaise with committee members, particularly committee chairs, and advise them on legislative scrutiny, committee proceedings and activities. Secretaries liaise with the committees' legal advisers, senior private and public sector representatives, academics, the media and members of the public. They are also responsible for managing the production of regular committee publications, including the Human Rights Scrutiny Report, the Delegated Legislation Monitor and the Scrutiny Digest.

Drawing on high-level intellectual, managerial and interpersonal skills, and extensive relevant experience, Committee Secretaries lead their secretariat to achieve results, support the work of the Legislative Scrutiny Unit as a whole and contribute to the legislative support functions of the Procedure Office and the corporate functions of the department. Committee Secretaries work closely with Clerk Assistant (Procedure) as required.

The key duties of the position include:

1. 1. Lead a secretariat in carrying out the business of one of the three legislative scrutiny committees:
   • in accordance with committee and inquiry terms of reference and other plans adopted by the committee; and
   • by organising and supporting committee meetings and hearings in accordance with committee decisions and standing and other orders.
2. 2. Undertake and supervise complex research and analytical work in relation to the scrutiny of bills and legislative instruments and for inquiries, including conferring with the legal adviser.
3. 3. Manage the drafting and production of regular committee reports, as well as guidance material to support the committees’ work.
4. 4. Prepare procedural documents, including in relation to the disallowance process.
5. 5. Advise the chair and other committee members on committee proceedings.
6. 6. Manage secretariat staff and engagement with legal advisers in accordance with departmental policies and relevant guidelines. Develop and lead staff to maximise their research and writing effectiveness and extend their knowledge of relevant areas of law and parliamentary practice and procedure.
7. 7. Contribute to the legislative support functions of the Procedure Office, including legislative drafting and advice on legislative matters as required, and participate in corporate activities to support the senior management of the department in achieving its outcomes.
8. 8. Develop and maintain a comprehensive knowledge of Senate procedures and parliamentary law and practice, particularly in relation to the work of committees.
9. 9. Provide information about the committee system, particularly legislative scrutiny, to interested groups and the community generally, and assist citizens and stakeholders to participate effectively in committee processes.

Eligibility

Desirable

Relevant tertiary qualifications and/or significant experience (particularly experience in understanding legislation).

Getting to know the Department of the Senate

The Department of the Senate provides the secretariat to the Senate – enabling its legislative and accountability activities – and to dozens of parliamentary committees, whose work encompasses the Senate’s scrutiny functions and its exercise of Parliament’s broad inquiry powers.In doing so, departmental officers provide the Senate, its committees, the President and other senators expert, impartial advice about Senate and committee operations.We publish the Senate’s records, and produce an array of information resources so that people may understand and engage in its work. With our colleagues across the Parliamentary Service we also provide specialised advice and logistical support to senators so they may undertake their duties.