Director, Policy, Research & Integrity

Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

TEQSA invites applications for a Director Policy, Research and Integrity. You will lead policy, sector education, research and integrity initiatives, partnering with the Department of Education and other agencies to strengthen national higher education regulation.

The role requires extensive experience in policy, research and integrity within government contexts, with a proven ability to manage complex external and internal engagement and provide strategic briefs to senior leadership.

Qualifications

• Track record leading policy and research programs in a government or regulatory context.
• Ability to frame issues, develop proposals, and provide strategic briefs.

Responsibilities

• Lead TEQSA's policy, research and integrity initiatives.
• Coordinate with the Department of Education and other Commonwealth agencies.
• Guide regulatory reform and policy development.
• Mentor staff and build cross-agency capability.
• Ensure timely, high-quality policy advice to senior leadership.

Skills

Policy Leadership

Research Governance

Stakeholder Engagement

Written Briefings

Education

Relevant tertiary qualification or extensive experience

Job description

Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency – Melbourne VIC

The Director Policy, Research and Integrity will work under the broad direction of the Senior Director Operations and Regulatory Support and will be responsible leading TEQSA’s policy, sector education, research, and integrity functions, including working closely with the Department of Education and other Commonwealth agencies.

The Director Policy, Research and Integrity will have extensive policy, research and/or integrity experience within a government regulatory context or related field. The ideal candidate will have sound judgement and the ability to manage complex external and internal engagement. They will frame issues, develop proposals, gather data, information and evidence, and provide clear, strategic advice through briefs and other written products. They will ensure TEQSA is well placed to engage across government and shape broader regulatory policy to enhance TEQSA’s effectiveness as the national higher education regulator.

About the position

The Director Policy, Research and Integrity will work under the broad direction of the Senior Director Operations and Regulatory Support and will be responsible leading TEQSA’s policy, sector education, research, and integrity functions, including working closely with the Department of Education and other Commonwealth agencies.

The Director Policy, Research and Integrity will have extensive policy, research and/or integrity experience within a government regulatory context or related field. The ideal candidate will have sound judgement and the ability to manage complex external and internal engagement. They will frame issues, develop proposals, gather data, information and evidence, and provide clear, strategic advice through briefs and other written products. They will ensure TEQSA is well placed to engage across government and shape broader regulatory policy to enhance TEQSA’s effectiveness as the national higher education regulator.

The key duties of the position include:

Duties

The Director Policy, Research and Integrity will be required to:

• lead TEQSA’s contribution to regulatory reform, legislative development, and government policy initiatives.
• influence policy discussions through clear advice and coordinated engagement with the Department of Education, other government agencies and other internal and external stakeholders.
• provide high quality, timely, accurate advice and written materials to TEQSA senior executive and the Minister’s office.
• design and manage consultation and engagement processes that inform TEQSA’s regulatory reform and policy work.
• lead TEQSA’s policy, research and engagement work as it relates to areas of higher education integrity, such as the risks associated with AI and commercial cheating services.
• build and maintain effective relationships across the sector and government to support integrity within the higher education sector, and TEQSA’s policy work.
• monitor and assess legislative, policy and sector developments to inform TEQSA’s planning and regulatory approach.
• support internal capability by mentoring staff and ensuring capability uplift in policy and regulatory reform activities and build TEQSA’s capability to engage in cross agency policy development work.
• perform other duties as directed.

Our ideal candidate

TEQSA is seeking a leader with strong policy, research and leadership skills, with the judgement to lead complex policy, research and higher education integrity agendas. Our ideal candidate will have:

• a track record to independently lead policy and research programs of work, including the ability to frame and analyse complex problems, develop well-reasoned proposals, and provide strategic advice that supports decision-making.
• excellent communication skills with a demonstrated ability to prepare clear, succinct and persuasive written products, including policy advice, senior executive briefings, and ministerial briefings, and to present complex information with authority and clarity.
• the capability to build and manage productive relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including across government departments and the higher education sector, and to navigate a complex operating environment with care and credibility.
• experience overseeing project delivery, and contributing to cross-agency strategy, while supporting building the capability of others.
• demonstrated experience in delivering result in complex, dynamic and challenging environments.

Qualifications and experience

• A relevant tertiary qualification(s) and/or extensive relevant experience in the higher education sector or government.

Eligibility

The successful applicant must:

• be an Australian citizen.
• complete a National Police Check satisfactorily.
• be able to obtain and maintain an Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) clearance to Baseline status, supported by TEQSA.

Failure to satisfy any of the above conditions may result in the withdrawal of an offer of employment or termination of employment.

Notes

Other relevant information

• This recruitment process is being conducted to fill an ongoing vacancy.
• A merit pool of suitable applicants will be created from this process and may be used to fill similar ongoing and non-ongoing vacancies. It is active for 18 months from the date of this advertisement.
• Before commencing in the role, the successful candidate will be required to disclose details of any material personal interests in connection with their employment at TEQSA via a Declaration of Interest form and seek approval to undertake any outside employment (paid or unpaid) via an Outside Employment application.
• For further information on this role, please contact Tabor Akman on 03 8306 2*** or email***********@teqsa.gov.au

Getting to know the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency

The Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) is Australia’s independent national quality assurance and regulatory agency for higher education. TEQSA’s purpose is to deliver quality assurance that protects the interests of students and the reputation and standing of Australian higher education.As an independent quality assurance and regulatory agency, TEQSA adopts a risk-based approach that is guided by principles of necessity, risk, and proportionality, and which supports quality, diversity, innovation, and excellence in tertiary education.TEQSA has three strategic objectives in delivering its purpose:1. Promote and support good practice and effective self-assurance across the sector.2. Identify, analyse, and respond to risks to the sector.3. Ensure compliance with applicable legislation through effective and efficient regulation.

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