Policy and Projects Officer

Australian Department of Industry, Science and Resources; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Australian Trade Remedies Commission is seeking an APS4 Policy and Project Officer to support operational policy advice, governance, and project administration within the Strategy, Policy and Performance team in Melbourne. You will draft guidance, coordinate updates and provide secretariat support to working groups.

Strong writing, Microsoft Office proficiency and the ability to work independently to deadlines are essential. Australian citizenship and baseline security clearance are required.

Qualifications

• Australian citizens eligible to work in Australia
• Baseline security clearance required
• Experience in operational policy or regulatory environments preferred
• Strong writing and briefing note abilities

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the development and maintenance of high-quality operational policy and guidance
• Coordinate updates and communicate progress across teams
• Draft, review and update policy documents, templates and questionnaires
• Provide governance and secretariat support to working groups
• Support investigations and continuous improvement initiatives
• Build productive working relationships across the Commission

Skills

Written communication

Verbal communication

MS Office

Organisational skills

Knowledge management

Initiative

Strategic planning

Tools

Microsoft Office

Document management systems

Job description

Australian Department of Industry, Science and Resources – Melbourne VIC

The Department of Industry, Science and Resources and our broader portfolio are integral to the Australian Government’s economic agenda. Our purpose is to help the government build a better future for all Australians through enabling a productive, resilient and sustainable economy, enriched by science and technology. We do this by:

• Growing innovative & competitive businesses, industries and regions
• Investing in science and technology
• Strengthening the resources sector.

The APS and the department offer a clear direction and meaningful work. You will be able to create positive impact in people’s lives whilst contributing to improved outcomes for Australia and our people.

If you would like to feel a strong connection to your work and you are accountable, committed and open to change, join us in shaping Australia’s future.

Please see the APSC’s APS Employee Value Proposition for more information on the benefits and value of employment within the APS.

About the Department

The Department of Industry, Science and Resources and our broader portfolio are integral to the Australian Government’s economic agenda. Our purpose is to help the government build a better future for all Australians through enabling a productive, resilient and sustainable economy, enriched by science and technology. We do this by:

• Growing innovative & competitive businesses, industries and regions
• Investing in science and technology
• Strengthening the resources sector.

The APS and the department offer a clear direction and meaningful work. You will be able to create positive impact in people’s lives whilst contributing to improved outcomes for Australia and our people.

If you would like to feel a strong connection to your work and you are accountable, committed and open to change, join us in shaping Australia’s future.

Please see the APSC’s APS Employee Value Proposition for more information on the benefits and value of employment within the APS.

About the team

About the Commission

We are the Australian Trade Remedies Commission. We support the Australian economy by securing a level playing field for local industry by:

• undertaking investigations into allegations of unfair international trade practices involving goods entering Australia
• administering Australia’s anti-dumping legislation.

Professionalism, excellence and independence underpin the Commission’s world-class reputation.

The Commission is a connected team of professionals with skills and experience in international trade, the law, economics, accounting, auditing, investigations, business, and learning and development. We are committed to a positive workplace culture and we support flexible working arrangements. Our goal is for staff to reach their full potential through engaging work and career growth, within a diverse, inclusive and connected team.

About the Branch

The Strategy & Operations Branch plays a critical role in supporting the Commission’s core activity of undertaking trade remedies investigations. Our four sections – Culture and Capability; Strategy, Policy and Performance; Data, Systems and Analytics; and Engagement and Market Intelligence – work in concert to deliver on the Commission’s overall strategy. We are committed to innovation, integrity and fostering a cohesive and inclusive organisational environment to ensure the Commission adapts and excels in a dynamic landscape.

About the Strategy, Policy and Performance Team

The Strategy, Policy and Performance team is the architect and steward of the Commission’s strategic direction, operational and investigative policy, and procedural guidance. By embedding best-practice regulatory principles, the team drives a culture of continuous improvement ensuring the Australian Trade Remedies Commission remains a high-performing, contemporary regulator that delivers timely, effective and accessible trade remedies for Australian industry.

The team performs the following functions:

• Monitor and implement long-term strategy: Work closely with senior management to monitor and drive the execution of the Commission’s strategic vision and lead the business planning cycle.
• Advance established strategic objectives: With clear strategic objectives already developed, the team is responsible for driving their implementation and ensuring alignment across all activities.
• Provide expert operational and investigative policy advice: Deliver authoritative guidance and recommendations on complex operational and investigative matters, supporting high-quality, evidence-based decision-making across the Commission.
• Maintain robust governance: Document and update operational policies and procedures to align with strategic priorities and governance frameworks.
• Drive regulatory reform: Collaborate across teams to identify and advance opportunities for regulatory innovation and reform.
• Monitor and evaluate performance: Track progress against strategic objectives and targets, ensuring accountability and transparency.
• Report on outcomes: Oversee reporting against the Commission’s Statement of Expectations, Statement of Intent, and key performance indicators at both corporate and operational levels.
• Coordinate high-level outputs: Prepare and coordinate Parliamentary and Ministerial submissions, as well as corporate reports.
• Champion continuous improvement: Embed a culture of ongoing enhancement across the Commission, particularly within the corporate planning and investigations processes.
• Anticipate and respond to change: Analyse emerging issues and regulatory trends to ensure the Commission remains agile and responsive in a dynamic environment.

Our ideal candidate

We are seeking an APS4 Policy and Project Officer to support delivery of operational and investigative policy advice, maintaining robust governance, and project management / admin support across the team. This is an important role for SPP and the Commission, responsible for delivering high-quality, accurate guidance that supports the Commission’s investigations into unfair trade practices.

Our ideal candidate will be highly organised, methodical and detail oriented. You will have excellent written and verbal communication and be proficient in Microsoft Office tools. You will have technical document editing and knowledge management experience, have project management experience and the ability to deliver within timeframes. You will show initiative, work independently with limited guidance, and take ownership of and pride in your work and that of the team. As a valued member of the ADC our ideal candidate will bring a collaborative, respectful and inclusive manner, demonstrating a strong work ethic and high standards of professional conduct and integrity consistent with APS expectations.

Key capabilities

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to draft, review and edit documents, distil complex information, and produce high-quality written products with excellent attention to detail.
• Competence in Microsoft Office Suite (including CoPilot) and familiarity with document management systems.
• Excellent organisational skills, including the ability to plan work, prioritise competing demands, manage stakeholder relationships effectively, and drive work forward to meet deadlines with minimal supervision.
• Ability to quickly acquire knowledge of business processes to understand the work of the Commission and how SPP’s work fits within this.
• Initiative, curiosity, and a continuous improvement mindset to support delivery of high-quality work, processes and systems and identify gaps where we can do things better.
• Willingness to actively contribute to strategic planning, decision making, and team culture within SPP and the wider Commission.

Experience working in operational policy, strategy, regulatory environments and/or delivering continuous improvement initiatives is not needed but will be highly regarded.

The key duties of the position include:

As an APS4 Policy and Project Officer your responsibilities may include but are not limited to:

• Contributing to the development and maintenance of high-quality operational policy, guidance and business processes that support the Commission’s investigations, continuous improvement, and governance processes.
• Working collaboratively across the Commission to coordinate updates, undertake research and analysis, and deliver accurate and practical products.
• Coordinating the Operational Document Update process, including monitoring and triaging requests, maintaining records, tracking progress and communicating updates.
• Drafting, reviewing and updating operational guidance, procedures, templates, application forms, questionnaires and other knowledge products to ensure they are accurate, accessible and fit for purpose.
• Working with investigation teams and subject-matter experts to understand operational issues, clarifying requirements and progress agreed updates.
• Undertaking research and analysis to support operational and investigative policy development and identifying opportunities to improve business processes and guidance.
• Preparing clear and concise written products, including policy documents, briefing notes, discussion papers, reports, meeting materials and staff communications.
• Supporting governance and assurance activities by monitoring actions, maintaining accurate records, preparing progress reports and providing secretariat support to working groups.
• Contributing to projects and initiatives relating to operational policy, knowledge management, regulatory practice and continuous improvement.
• Building and maintaining productive working relationships across the Commission and contributing positively to the effectiveness and culture of the team.
• Managing allocated work, competing priorities and deadlines, seeking guidance or escalating issues where appropriate.
• Providing general administrative and coordination support to the team.

Additional responsibilities and development opportunities may include:

• Contributing to broader strategy, policy, and performance activities
• Participating in cross-Commission working groups
• Supporting responses to emerging organisational priorities.

Eligibility

To be eligible for employment in the APS and the department, candidates must be Australian Citizens.

Positions require a Baseline security clearance and successful candidates will be required to obtain and maintain a clearance at this level.

Notes

A merit pool may be established and used to fill future vacancies within 18 months from the date the vacancy was first advertised in the Gazette.

The department does currently offer flexible work opportunities for many roles. This vacancy is Melbourne or Canberra based, noting that the team are currently all located in Melbourne. Please reach out to the contact officer to discuss this further.

Getting to know the Department of Industry, Science and Resources (DISR)

The department’s Enterprise Agreement and policies provide for a flexible working environment to assist staff balance their work and home life. Staff and managers work together to balance the operating needs of the department with the needs of the individual. Options may include full time/part time working arrangements, working from home or other arrangements.Our employees say they recommend our department as a good place to work. Our workplace is one that encourages and supports all employees to have a sense of belonging and a culture that allows them to bring their authentic selves to work every day.Our reconciliation vision supports a workforce with opportunities and career pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The vision allows them to feel empowered and helps to ensure that the department and broader community can benefit from the knowledge and experience of Australia’s First Peoples.We encourage applications from people of all ages, abilities, nationalities and backgrounds including Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people, mature age, culturally and linguistically diverse people, people of the LGBTIQA+ community and people with disability.The department wants to give candidates the opportunity to demonstrate their full potential during a recruitment process. We encourage candidates who require any adjustments or support as part of the recruitment process to reach out and discuss them with the job’s contact officer. Candidates are also welcome to contact our Inclusion team at *********@industry.gov.au for a confidential discussion if you identify from any of these diverse backgrounds and would like to discuss how we can support you.