SES Band 2, First Assistant Secretary - Affirmative Measures, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander

Department of Employment and Workplace Relations; Canberra; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Department of Employment and Workplace Relations is seeking SES Band 2 leaders to shape its direction and position the department for future challenges—from policy to service delivery. You will help the Secretary and Executive understand changes, connect parts of the system, and create coherence across a complex portfolio.

As a First Assistant Secretary, you will lead major functions and people while contributing to strategy, governance and stewardship.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated executive leadership track record.
• Ability to frame complex problems and provide strategic advice.
• Experience delivering outcomes in a large, multi-functional portfolio.

Responsibilities

• See the external environment and translate it into consequential choices.
• Shape policy and strategic options with Ministers and the Secretary.
• Create coherence across policy, delivery, regulation and partnerships.
• Turn strategy into outcomes by leading a high-performing leadership cohort.
• Build coalitions across the APS and jurisdictions for shared ownership.
• Drive system-level change to support Closing the Gap priorities.
• Lead transformation and adapt the organisation to emerging needs.
• Strengthen leadership depth and capability using data and technology.
• Set the tone for enterprise leadership with integrity and accountability.

Skills

Executive leadership

Strategic judgement

Delivery in complex environments

Policy development

Stakeholder engagement

Cross-portfolio collaboration

Education

Relevant tertiary qualifications

Executive leadership development

Job description

About The Department Of Employment And Workplace Relations

We are committed to empowering futures, ensuring rights and enriching lives. We support people to have safe, secure and well‑paid work with the skills for a sustainable future as we ourselves strive to be a model employer.
We provide the framework for fair and productive relationships between employers and employees. We also oversee skills development and training initiatives to support those entering the workforce or re‑training to take advantage of emerging employment opportunities.
With us, your work directly contributes to shaping the employment landscape. Whether you are engaging in policy development, program implementation, or direct support services, your efforts will have a tangible impact on job seekers, employees and the economy by giving them a framework to build a future anchored and realised through employment.
It is our ambition to do things differently, to create the ‘department of great jobs’– where our people reflect our purpose.

The Role

We are looking for SES Band 2 leaders who can help shape DEWR's direction and position the department for what comes next.
At the SES Band 2, the leadership challenge extends beyond the success of an individual division or function. You will help the Secretary and Executive understand what is changing around us, make choices with long‑term consequences, connect parts of the system that do not naturally connect and create coherence across a complex portfolio. Opportunities may arise across policy, programs, service delivery, employment and workforce services, skills and training, workplace relations, regulation, digital, data, transformation, corporate and enabling functions.
As a First Assistant Secretary, you will lead significant functions and people while contributing collectively to the strategy, governance, culture and stewardship of DEWR. Your success will not be measured only by the performance of your division. You will be expected to improve the performance and future capability of the department as a whole. You will operate across multiple frames of reference - government priorities, the department's strategic direction, the external environment, delivery realities and the needs of the systems and communities affected by our work. You will need to identify emerging patterns, risks and opportunities and translate them into consequential choices for senior decision‑makers.
Strategic policy capability will be particularly important. We are looking for leaders who can frame complex and sometimes contested problems, integrate evidence and competing perspectives, understand whole‑of‑government and system implications, and provide authoritative advice on choices, trade‑offs and consequences.
You will also be a steward of the organisation, building leadership depth and specialist capability, making difficult enterprise choices and ensuring DEWR is equipped to deliver not only today's priorities, but those that are still emerging.

Roles may be located in Canberra or other major capital cities. While some positions may have a preference for candidates based in Canberra due to business requirements, applications from candidates located in other Australian capital cities are encouraged and will be considered on merit.

Duties and Responsibilities

• See the system - and what is coming next. Interpret the external environment, including economic, social, technological and whole‑of‑government developments. Identify patterns, dependencies and strategic risks and position DEWR for future requirements.
• Shape consequential policy and strategic choices. Frame complex issues for Ministers, the Secretary and Executive. Integrate evidence and diverse perspectives, develop credible alternatives, surface trade‑offs and consequences, and provide authoritative advice where ambiguity, sensitivity or risk is high.
• Create coherence across complexity. Connect policy, delivery, regulation, people, resources, technology, data and partnerships so DEWR's effort is aligned around its mission and strategic objectives.
• Turn strategy into outcomes at scale. Build and lead a high‑performing leadership cohort of SES and EL leaders to move major strategies and initiatives from intent to sustained execution. Balance resources and capability, establish accountability, manage strategic risk and maintain focus on public value and impact.
• Lead beyond organisational boundaries. Build coalitions across the APS and, where relevant, jurisdictions, industry, unions, employers, providers and communities. Influence at senior levels and create shared ownership of outcomes no single organisation can deliver alone.
• Drive system‑level change to support Closing the Gap. Foster genuine partnerships with First Nations peoples, communities and organisations, embed First Nations perspectives in strategic decision‑making, and influence policy, program and organisational settings to improve outcomes and contribute to the priorities of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.
• Lead transformation and adapt the organisation. Recognise when established models are no longer sufficient. Challenge assumptions, make difficult choices and create the conditions for innovation, learning and responsible experimentation while maintaining delivery.
• Build institutional capability. Strengthen leadership depth, succession and specialist capability. Use data, digital and emerging technology intelligently and ensure the organisation can adapt to changing expectations, opportunities and risks.
• Set the tone for enterprise leadership. Model integrity, courage, curiosity and inclusion. Invite dissenting views, make difficult corporate decisions, create clarity through uncertainty and take collective responsibility for DEWR's strategy, culture, governance and stewardship.

Qualifications and Education

We value diverse professional backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. There is no single pathway to success at the SES level.
Highly regarded candidates will bring a demonstrated track record of executive leadership, strategic judgement and delivery in complex environments. Relevant tertiary qualifications, professional accreditations, executive leadership development or specialist expertise may be advantageous depending on the role and function.

Eligibility

These positions are only open to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This is consistent with Section 31 of the Australian Public Service Commissioner’s Directions 2022. The filling of this employment opportunity constitutes a special measure under subsection 8(1) of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975.
Confirmation of Heritage
Citizens who are applying under affirmative measures must have their Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander heritage confirmed. A confirmation must stipulate that a person:

• is of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent; and
• identifies as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person; and
• is accepted as such by the community in which they live, or formerly lived.

Suitable evidence of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander heritage may include:

• a letter signed by the Chairperson of an incorporated Indigenous organisation confirming that the applicant is recognised as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person, or
• a confirmation of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent document executed by an Indigenous organisation.

If the above documents are not available, the department may accept a signed letter without a common seal a statutory declaration from the candidate and a Community Elder.
If you require support through the recruitment process, please contact [e-mail].

Citizenship

to be eligible for employment with the Department, you must be an Australian Citizen or, in limited circumstances, in the process of obtaining it.

Security Clearance

our successful candidate is required to hold, or have the ability to obtain, and maintain a Negative Level 2 security clearance.

Important note: Please refer to the Job Information Pack for more information about the role.