FOI Reviews Lead Officer

Victorian Government; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner (OVIC) is recruiting a FOI Reviews Lead Officer to lead the non-complex reviews team and oversee timely, fair decisions on information access requests. The role sits in the FOI Reviews function and reports to the Senior Manager, FOI Reviews, with supervision of the FOI Reviews Support Officers.

Based in Melbourne, this VPS Grade 4 position requires strong FOI experience, regulatory compliance and people leadership, plus collaboration with managers

Qualifications

• Experience in FOI processes and reviews.
• Ability to lead a small team and coordinate with managers.

Responsibilities

• Lead the non-complex FOI reviews team.
• Ensure timely and consistent processing within statutory timeframes.
• Provide supervision and quality assurance to FOI Reviews Support Officers.
• Collaborate with Manager, FOI Reviews and other Managers to handle risk and precedent matters.

Skills

FOI knowledge

Leadership

Regulatory compliance

Case management

People management

Job description

Occupation: Governance and risk management

Location: Melbourne - CBD and Inner Metro suburbs

Reference: VG/VIC071

Are you an experienced freedom of information (FOI) practitioner and team leader looking for a new challenge?

Do you want to play a key role in protecting and upholding the information access rights of Victorians?

OVIC is recruiting a FOI Reviews Lead Officer to join our FOI Reviews function. This is an exciting opportunity to work on FOI review matters and lead a small team.

This role would suit candidates who have experience in FOI, legal practice, case management, compliance and regulation, and people management.

Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner

The Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner (OVIC) is an independent regulator with combined oversight of information access, information privacy, and data protection.

Our goal is to embed in the Victorian public sector a culture that promotes fair public access to information while ensuring its proper use and protection. We aim to build community trust in government's handling of information.

If you have a strong commitment to integrity and want to help shape the future of access to information rights in Victoria, we would like to hear from you.

Role Description

The FOI Reviews Lead Officer operates under the general direction of the Senior Manager, FOI Reviews, and exercises a high degree of independent judgement in leading the non-complex reviews team and in determining how individual reviews and team issues are managed in line with the policies and procedures established by the Information Commissioner. The position has supervisory responsibility for FOI Reviews Support Officers and is accountable for the quality, consistency and timeliness of the team's output, referring matters of significant risk, complexity or precedent to the Manager, FOI Reviews or Senior Manager, FOI Reviews as appropriate.

The position sits within the FOI Reviews function and contributes to OVIC's statutory responsibility to conduct timely, fair and impartial reviews of decisions made by agencies in response to freedom of information requests.

At the VPS Grade 4 level, the FOI Reviews Lead Officer is responsible for the day-to-day leadership and operation of the non-complex FOI reviews team, ensuring reviews are processed efficiently, consistently and in accordance with statutory timeframes and OVIC's standards. The position leads the function on behalf of the Information Commissioner and provides supervision, guidance and quality assurance to FOI Reviews Support Officers and works closely with the Manager, FOI Reviews, the Manager of FOI Complaints, and the Manager, Registry and Case Support.

Employment screening conditions

This position is only open to Australian citizens. Preferred applicants will be required to undertake pre-employment screening, including the completion of a Statutory Declaration and Consent Form.

This role requires the employee be found eligible and suitable to gain and maintain a security clearance for the duration of their employment. This includes periodic rescreening as required, across the lifecycle of employment.

Health and safety

OVIC is committed to providing and maintaining a working environment which is safe and without risk to the health of its employees.

In accordance with the VPS Agreement all staff at OVIC can apply for flexible work arrangements. However, flexibility arrangements will differ from role to role and will be considered in the context of OVIC's operational requirements.

Accessibility

OVIC provides reasonable adjustments for people with a disability. If you need adjustments to fully participate in the application or interview process, or to receive this information in an accessible format (such as large print or audio) please contact the HR team at [e-mail] .

Confidentiality

OVIC is committed to maintaining the privacy of personal information. The recruitment process and all matters relating to it are treated in the strictest confidence. Personal information received during the recruitment process will be managed in accordance with the Privacy and Data Protection A ct 2014.

Applications close Monday 26 October 2026 at 11.59pm