EL2 - Director, First Nations Programs, Affirmative Measures, First Nations

Australian-Department-of-Infrastructure-and-Regional-Development; Canberra; Hybrid; AUD 150,000 - 179,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working opportunities

Home-based work

Extensive leave entitlements

Job summary

The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts is seeking an EL2 Director to lead the First Nations Programs team within the Inclusion News & Media Diversity, First Nations Programs area in Canberra. The role supports digital inclusion policy and launches initiatives funded in the budget to advance Closing the Gap outcomes.

You will provide strategic leadership, deliver programs, engage with stakeholders across public service and First

Qualifications

• Strategic capability to lead policy reform and program delivery.
• High-level negotiation skills with internal/external stakeholders.
• Strong analytical capacity to coordinate reporting and governance.
• Superior written and oral communication for executive briefings and briefs.
• Proven ability to lead teams, develop staff and shape culture.

Responsibilities

• Lead the First Nations Programs team to deliver digital inclusion measures.
• Develop and deliver policy and programs for First Nations digital inclusion and Closing the Gap outcomes.
• Collaborate with other sections and the Advisory Group on inclusion initiatives.
• Undertake research and analysis on priority First Nations issues and data.
• Develop briefings, reports, and policy proposals for Executive and Government.
• Coordinate project strategy, planning, implementation and stakeholder engagement.
• Engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to maximise outcomes.

Skills

Strategic capability

Negotiation & collaboration

Reporting & governance

Communication & influence

People leadership

Job description

Career Opportunities: EL2 - Director, First Nations Programs, Aff… (48263)

Requisition ID48263-Posted20/10/2026-$149,636-$178,980- Location of Position (1) -Ongoing-Full Time

EL2 – Director, First Nations Programs, Inclusion, News and Media Diversity, First Nations

Title:

EL2 – Director, First Nations Programs, Inclusion, News and Media Diversity, First Nations

Classification(s):

Employment Type:

Ongoing , Full Time

Business Division:

Consumer Safeguards Media & Connectivity

Branch / Section:

Inclusion News & Media Diversity , First Nations Programs

Location:

We want to recruit the best people to our department. Our roles support flexible work arrangements including the opportunity to work from one of our departmental offices and hybrid (mixture of office and home-based work).

This role is located in Canberra .

A merit pool may be formed and used to fill future similar vacancies in this location.

The filling of this vacancy is intended to constitute an affirmative measure under section 8(1) of the 'Racial Discrimination Act 1975'. This vacancy is only available to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait people.

The opportunity we have available

The Consumer Safeguards, Media and Connectivity Division (CSMCD) is at the centre of developing policy and programs to ensure all Australians have access to safe and reliable connectivity and communications services, as well as ensuring the diversity of Australia’s media landscape. We also focus on digital inclusion for Australia’s First Nations communities.

The Inclusion, News and Media Diversity Branch in CSMCD is looking for a high-performing Director to lead our First Nations Programs team responsible for the delivery of First Nations digital inclusion measures, recommended by the First Nations Digital Inclusion Advisory Group (the Advisory Group) and funded in the 2024-25 Budget, and coordination of departmental work related to the National Agreement on Closing the Gap – Target 17, Outcome 17 and Priority Reforms.

The First Nations Programs team has been established to take forward delivery of the First Nations digital inclusion Budget measures, including $20 million to deliver free community Wi-Fi in remote communities through a contestable program, $6 million towards improving the national collection of data on First Nations digital inclusion, and $22 million to establish a First Nations Digital Support Hub ($4 million) and a Network of Digital Mentors ($18 million).

Our work is supported by the Digital Inclusion team in the branch has primary responsibility for providing policy and secretariat support to the Advisory Group, as well as oversight of digital inclusion policy, and digital inclusion initiatives for First Nations people consistent with achieving Target 17, which aims for equal levels of digital inclusion for First Nations people by 2026 .

What you will do

The role is varied and dynamic, as the responsible Director you will:

• provide strong, collaborative and supportive leadership within your section and the branch
• lead in the development, implementation and delivery of policy and programs to support First Nations digital inclusion and Closing the Gap Outcome 17 and Target 17 objectives
• support the work of other sections across the branch on First Nations digital inclusion initiatives, including the team responsible for the secretariat function of the First Nations Digital Inclusion Advisory Group
• undertake research and analysis on priority issues , particularly those affecting First Nations people, (including general research or economic and data analysis, depending on your skills and experience)
• develop persuasive communications materials, including written reports , briefing papers, speech inputs and discussion papers
• lead on and assist with project strategy, planning , implementation and coordination
• undertake stakeholder engagement, including close collaboration with agencies and colleagues across the public service, state and territory governments, industry and First Nations communities
• work closely with the Advisory Group and communities to maximise the outcomes and benefits of funded initiatives for First Nations people
• develop and assist with formal advice to the Executive and Government, such as Cabinet submissions and proposals for new policies and programs.

Inherent requirements for the role

To be considered for this position, you must demonstrate the following capabilities evaluated against the Executive Level 2 Work level standards :

• Strategic capability : Strong experience in leading policy reform and program delivery, with the ability to drive the development and implementation of improved socio-economic outcomes for First Nations people, thorough effective grant management and procurement processes.
• Negotiation and collaboration : Proven high-level negotiation skills with the capability to partner with internal and external stakeholders (including state and territory officials) to ensure strong, efficient and effective implementation of First Nations programs.
• Reporting and governance : Strong analytical capacity to coordinate reporting across First Nations programs, maintaining framework integrity and Indigenous data sovereignty principles.
• Communication and influence : Superior written and oral communication skills, with a track record of producing high-level executive briefings and successfully influencing diverse senior stakeholder groups.
• People and culture leadership : Proven capacity to lead teams with commitment, taking responsibility for shaping team culture, developing staff capability, steering workflows under tight deadlines, and making an active and positive contribution to the culture and leadership of your work area and the department.

The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts is committed to supporting the employment and career development of people with disability. Our participation in APS RecruitAbility means we will progress an applicant with disability to a further stage in the recruitment process, where they opt into RecruitAbility and meet the minimum requirements for the vacancy.

The RecruitAbility minimum requirements are listed above under ‘inherent requirements for the role’.

You will be asked to indicate if you wish to opt into RecruitAbility in the application form. You must tick the 'opt in' box to participate in RecruitAbility. Simply declaring that you have a disability will not automatically include you.

We provide reasonable adjustments such as access, equipment or other practical support at relevant stages ofthe recruitment process. Please advise in the application form or get in touch with the contact officer if you need any adjustments made.

Experience in the telecommunications sector would be considered highly favourable, including an understanding of telecommunications networks and technologies such as community Wi-Fi and broadband network architectures and services.

Cultural capability requirement

The department believes every role contributes to cultural safety and that building staff cultural capability helps us deliver better policies, programs and services for First Nations people and the broader Australian community. Candidates will be required to demonstrate their willingness to develop their cultural capability as part of the assessment process. In making it a requirement across all roles in our department, we are taking a practical step in delivering our commitments under the Our Stories on CountryAgreement and the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategy 2025–28 .

As an EL2 you will be expected to:

• Provide strategic leadership to embed cultural capability across programs, policies or functions.
• Influence senior leaders on culturally informed approaches.
• Drive partnerships and co-design with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander organisations and communities where applicable or appropriate.

What else can we offer?

We are dedicated to fostering personal and professional development, empowering individuals to set goals, acquire new skills, and cultivate unique qualities that define who they are. We believe that this not only leads to a more fulfilling and happier life but also enhances the overall quality of our work.

Some of the benefits we offer include:

• Access to our study Assistance Program that provides paid leave and financial support for you to undertake courses of study that contribute to the improvements of your professional skills and knowledge relevant to our work and broader Australian Public Service.
• Through our investment in learning and development opportunities, and a positive performance culture, we provide diverse career pathways for our people to enable their mobility and adapt in a rapidly changing world.
• Improve your leadership skills, through the department’s Professional Coaching Scheme and tailored leadership opportunities for staff members.
• Flexible working opportunities, including part-time hours and home-based work.
• We offer generous leave entitlements of 20 days personal circumstances leave per year, with one month’s accrual of leave credited on commencement and 150 hours of paid annual leave (based on a full-time employee), plus a range of other miscellaneous leave options to support you.

Joining our team and department will allow you to embark on a journey of growth, fulfillment, and well-being. Experience personal and professional development, prioritise your health, and be part of a vibrant and positive culture that empowers individuals and drives exceptional performance.

Eligibility requirements

This is anAffirmative Measures vacancy – This vacancy is open only to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.

The filling of this vacancy is intended to constitute an affirmative Measure under section 8(1) of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975. To be eligible to apply under the affirmative Measures initiative, applicants must:

• be an Aboriginal person and/or a Torres Strait Islander person
• identify as an Aboriginal person and/or a Torres Strait Islander person, and
• be accepted by their community as being an Aboriginal person and/or a Torres Strait Islander person

Employment with the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts is subject to conditions prescribed within the Public Service Act 1999 including:

• Citizenship: candidates must be an Australian citizen at the time of submitting your application.
• Health Assessment: The preferred candidate may be required to undergo a medical examination conducted by the department’s preferred medical provider.
• Security Clearance: The successful candidate must be able to obtain and/or maintain a security clearance at Baseline Level. You must be willing to disclose all relevant and required information. You must have lived in Australia, or have a checkable background, for at least the preceding five years for Baseline Vetting clearances. More information on the security clearance vetting process is available on the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) website .
• Police check: The successful candidate must complete an Australian Federal Police criminal history check.
• Integrity and Performance check: The successful candidate must satisfy the requirements in an Integrity and Performance check which is completed by your most recent employer.

Timeline and assessment

A selection panel will be established to assess your suitability against the advertised role.

If a merit pool is established, it will be valid for 18 months from date it first appeared in the APS Gazette.

Applications open: 21 October 2026

Application shortlisting: 11 November 2026

Further assessments: 18 November 2026

Offers and announcements: 7 December 2026

The above is indicative only, please reach out to the contact person if you have any questions on the recruitment process or timeframes.

Your application will be assessed against the inherent requirements of the role , the Work level standards and in comparison, to other candidates who applied . Once the entire applicant pool has been assessed, the panel will create a shortlist of applicants. If your application is shortlisted, you may be asked to undertake further assessment, this may include work sample testing, interviews and reference checks.