SES Band 2, First Assistant Secretary - Affirmative Measures, Disability Employment

Australian Department of Employment and Workplace Relations; Sydney; On-site; AUD 170,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

The Australian Department of Employment and Workplace Relations is seeking a SES Band 2 First Assistant Secretary to shape policy, drive delivery and build organisational capability.

You will lead significant functions and people, connecting policy with delivery across diverse portfolios and ensuring DEWR delivers on its priorities now and into the future.

Location flexibility includes Canberra or major capitals; applicants from other cities are encouraged to apply and will be considered on merit.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated executive leadership experience.
• Experience shaping policy and strategic directions across large public sector organisations.
• Ability to translate complex evidence into clear, actionable advice.

Responsibilities

• Lead major policy and program initiatives within DEWR.
• Drive system-wide change and organisational capability across multiple portfolios.
• Collaborate with Ministers, the Secretary and Executive to deliver public value.

Skills

Leadership

Policy development

Strategic thinking

Education

Relevant tertiary qualifications

Job description

SES Band 2, First Assistant Secretary - Affirmitive Measures, Disability Employment

Australian Department of Employment and Workplace Relations – Bondi NSW

23h ago , from Department Of Employment And Workplace Relations

• Canberra, ACT; Sydney, NSW; Melbourne, VIC; Brisbane; QLD; Adelaide; SA; Perth, WA

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-train 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
As an SES leader, you will help shape policy, drive delivery and build organisational capability while contributing to DEWR's broader success. Key responsibilities include:

• 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.

• Senior Executive Service (SES) Band 2
• Canberra, ACT; Sydney, NSW; Melbourne, VIC; Brisbane; QLD; Adelaide; SA; Perth, WA

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-train 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
As an SES leader, you will help shape policy, drive delivery and build organisational capability while contributing to DEWR's broader success. Key responsibilities include:

• 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 The filling of this vacancy is intended to constitute an affirmative measure under Section 33 of the Australian Public Service Commissioners Direction 2022. This vacancy is open only to people with disability.

In line with the Australian Public Service Commissioners Directions 2022, if you are found suitable for a role, and prior to being made a final offer of employment, you will be required to confirm you are a person with a disability in addition to the general requirements.
Confirmation may include:

• a certificate or letter from a registered medical practitioner
• a letter from a Disability Employment Services or Workforce Australia provider
• a letter from a secondary or tertiary educational institution disability services unit in relation to a recent student
• or a candidate may wish to share details of their current approved NDIS plan. Please see the NDIS advice about sharing an approved plan. Note: a NDIS plan expiration date is not an indication of a short-term disability; funding arrangements are evaluated every 1-2 years regardless of the permanency of the disability
• if the above documents are not available, the department may consider accepting a statutory declaration from the applicant.

If you would like support throughout the recruitment process, please reach out to ***************@dewr.gov.au.

Note: Evidence of disability does not require specific information about the type of disability – unless the vacancy has been restricted to people with a particular type of disability. The need to confirm you are a person with disability is also not required as part of the application process. Confirmation will be requested prior to the on boarding process.
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.

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

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