Senior Executive Service Band 3, Deputy Secretary

Australian Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade; Canberra; On-site; AUD 260,000 - 310,000; Full time

Job summary

The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra seeks a Deputy Secretary (Senior Executive Service Band 3) to provide strategic leadership, management and policy advice to deliver the Government’s foreign, trade and investment policy objectives and shape the regional and international environment to advance Australia’s interests.

As a member of the DFAT Senior Executive, you will oversee divisions and posts with regional responsibilities, set strategic direction and resource

Qualifications

• Strategic leadership and policy advisory capabilities.
• Experience in senior government leadership roles.
• Commitment to integrity and professionalism.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership to deliver foreign, trade and investment policy objectives.
• Lead management and policy development across divisions and posts.
• Shape regional and international environment to advance Australia's interests.
• Uphold APS values including integrity and professionalism.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Policy advice

Management

Governance

Job description

Senior Executive Service Band 3, Deputy Secretary

Australian Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade - Canberra ACT

1d ago , from Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade DFAT

Applications close at 11.30pm AEDT, Wednesday 7 October 2026.

The Opportunity

As a Deputy Secretary, you will provide strategic leadership, management and policy advice to deliver the Australian Government's foreign, trade and investment and development policy objectives and shape the regional and international environment to advance Australia's interests.

Our vacancies have oversight of a number of divisions and posts with bilateral and regional responsibilities across various geographical areas, including the Pacific; development programs; policy; and trade and economic issues. The intention would be to draw on the merit list should further Band 3 vacancies become available.

As a member of the DFAT Senior Executive, you will have a key role in the department’s corporate governance, and in ensuring the Department is an accountable, ethical and resilient organisation. You will help set the Department’s strategic direction, priorities and resource allocation.

As a senior leader and manager, your performance will be judged by results and how you uphold APS and departmental values, including exemplary standards of integrity and professionalism.

For further information, please refer to the Applicant Information Pack.