Assistant Director

Job Req ID

ABF - 137158

Location

ACT; NSW 

 Employment Type

Ongoing (Permanent), Full-time 

Classification

Executive Level 1 - $115,443.00 and $134,865.00 plus 15.4% super (part time pro-rata)

Contact Officer

Alicia Dennis on 0468 544 220 OR alicia.dennis@abf.gov.au  

Office Arrangements

Flexible  - Flexible working arrangements can be negotiated in accordance with our Enterprise Agreement and the operational requirements of the role.
 

Applications close on 09/04/2025 at 11:59pm AEDT (midnight) - Late applications will not be accepted.

About our opportunity

This process is being used to fill 3 immediate position/s. 

Applicants suitable for the role but not offered the position for the current vacancy may be placed in a merit list or pool to fill similar vacancies for up to 18 months anywhere in ACT; NSW; NT; QLD; SA; TAS; VIC; WA.
 

About our team

Strategy & Capability | Civil Maritime Capability | Civil Maritime Strategy and Policy Branch | Multiple Sections

The ABF protects Australia's national interests by generating and synthesising awareness of activity in Australia's maritime jurisdiction and responding to mitigate, or eliminate, the risks posed by civil maritime security threats.  To deliver this objective, the ABF works across Government, including States and Territories, and internationally to advance and protect Australia's interests through strong, integrated and adaptive national civil maritime security.

The Civil Maritime Strategy and Policy Branch is responsible for the delivery of the ABF's civil maritime strategy, policy and capability planning, including Cabinet Program. The Branch engages with diverse stakeholders across the Commonwealth government, international partners, industry and civil society to address risks by planning ahead and delivering future-focussed civil maritime security strategy, policy and capability. The Branch undertakes strategic engagement, provides advice and develops strategic communications, and ensures the prioritisation of civil maritime security issues for consideration by Government. The Branch leads whole-of-government analysis on emerging civil maritime security threats, risks and capability. It supports the delivery of civil maritime security policy, strategic planning in capability development, as well as the delivery of Cabinet Submissions and New Policy Proposals for consideration by Government. The Branch is looking to fill multiple exciting positions with a broad scope for experience and development across the following sections:

Civil Maritime Strategic Policy Section

The Civil Maritime Strategic Policy Section is responsible for the design and delivery of civil maritime security strategy and policy to advance and protect Australia's strategic interests in the maritime domain. The Section works across Government to implement the Australian Government Civil Maritime Security Strategy, including with the intelligence community to undertake environmental horizon scans to inform future strategy. The Section also maintains the Guide to Australian Maritime Security Arrangements which sets out responsibilities for Commonwealth agencies. The Section leads the civil maritime Cabinet program and development of New Policy Proposals on ABF civil maritime capability.

Civil Maritime Capability Force Design Section

The Civil Maritime Capability Force Design Section integrates policy and capability to translate Government strategic priorities into a comprehensive approach to manage and uplift ABF civil maritime security capabilities. The Force Design section is responsible for the development and implementation of the ABF Capability Plan that integrates strategy, policy and capability planning to ensure civil maritime security capabilities meet current and evolving civil maritime security challenges . The Force Design section works across Government, including with Department of Defence, to develop and test ideas and concepts to position ABF to confront the future civil maritime operating environment.

Strategic Engagement Section

The Strategic Engagement Section leads civil maritime security engagement domestically and internationally to advance and protect Australia's interests through strong, integrated and adaptive national civil maritime security policy positions. The Section pursues Australia's interests international fora to foster international cooperation and support the rules-based order in the maritime environment. The Section also provides secretariat support to whole-of-Government senior official civil maritime security governance bodies.

Please visit our website for more information about the Department of Home Affairs or Australian Border Force

Our ideal candidate

We are looking for enthusiastic leaders to support the work of the Branch to deliver future-focussed civil maritime security strategy, policy and capability. Our ideal candidate will have strong leadership skills, good judgement, the ability to solve complex policy and strategic problems; and capability development and implementation skills. They will also have strong communication skills, be adept at managing competing priorities and be comfortable managing daily team duties. They will be confident and able communicators, with an ability to establish enduring partnerships internally and more broadly across Government.

A range of diverse positions are available within the Branch, which will provide successful candidates with opportunities to challenge themselves, learn and apply new skills, and contribute to the delivery of strong, integrated and adaptive national civil maritime security.

Confident leaders: Applicants need to be effective managers, skilled at managing workloads and team members, and capable of taking staff on a journey where they grow, develop and learn.

Forward Thinkers: The Branch is looking for people who enjoy working in a rapidly evolving and forward thinking environment. With a focus on innovation and progression, our ideal candidate will help to maintain and further develop our innovative processes to deliver strong, integrated and adaptive national civil maritime security.

Problem solvers: The Branch operates in a complex regulatory and policy space and needs officers capable of matching big, complex and long-term problems with effective solutions. Applicants need to be problem solvers, skilled at navigating issues, thinking outside of the box, and providing innovative solutions.

Eager learners: We don't expect you to know everything about Australia's civil maritime security arrangements; however, applicants need to be enthusiastic and open to new learning opportunities and experiences. We are after people who have a demonstrated ability to learn quickly and develop links across Government to deliver positive outcomes.

Strong communicators: The Branch operates in a unique stakeholder space and engages, and negotiates, with a diverse range of stakeholders. Applicants are required to be persuasive communicators, with the ability to connect to a broad range of audiences and build and maintain strong networks and relationships, across government, industry and internationally.

Duties and responsibilities

As an Assistant Director, you will lead a small team to contribute to whole-of-government efforts to strengthen Australia's civil maritime security arrangements to advance and protect Australia's strategic interests. You will develop and implement complex policies to advocate for strong civil maritime security arrangements. You will identify issues, undertake research and analysis, and consult with a range of stakeholders to develop and implement civil maritime security strategy, policy and capability.

Officers in this role will deliver complex policy advice in alignment with clearly established strategic priorities and procedures. You will contribute to complex requests for advice and emerging issues, with thoroughly researched evidence-based recommendations.

Depending on the role, the successful applicants may be required to:

• Develop and deliver civil maritime security strategy, policy and capability, including through new policy proposals for Government consideration.
• Develop and implement the ABF Capability Plan to integrate strategy, policy and capability to uplift civil maritime security capabilities.
• Establish enduring partnerships with stakeholders, domestically and internationally, to advance and protect Australia's interests through strong, integrated and adaptive national civil maritime security.
• Apply strong secretariat, governance and project management skills to support the effective function of enterprise governance committees and industry forums.
• Provide strategic advice on a range of issues to support the Director, and Senior Executive as required
• Apply subject knowledge to identify emerging issues and risks, including their implications for policy direction and capability development.

Additional information

The below skills and experience will be highly regarded:

• Policy Development and Cabinet Experience.
• Effective written and verbal communications skills, including an ability to draft a range of documentation and lead stakeholder engagement across Government.
• Research and analysis skills including quantitative and qualitative data analysis skills to identify trends impacting policy development.
• Stakeholder management skills.
• Strategic Planning

How to apply

Submit your application and CV through the Home Affairs’ recruitment system (ourPeople) before the closing date on 09/04/2025 at 11:59pm (midnight) AEDT  – Late applications will not be accepted.

As part of your application you will be required to prepare and submit a one-page applicant response document in relation to the advertised role, outlining:

• How your skills, knowledge, and experience will be relevant to this role
• Why you are interested in the role and what you can offer us
• Any specific examples or achievements that demonstrate your ability to perform the role

Applicant response documents must be a minimum 11pt font in MSWord or PDF format, include your full name and the Requisition Number – 137158 in the document footer.

Prior to preparing your response it is recommended you review the Work Level standards relevant to the classification you are applying to. It may also be useful to refer to the Integrated Leadership Systems information relevant to the classification.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the position you must be an Australian Citizen.

The successful candidate will be required to obtain and maintain a Negative Vetting Level 1 (AGSVA) security clearance, and:
 

• ABF Workers will also be required to obtain and maintain an Employment Suitability Clearance (ESC).
• Home Affairs Workers will also be required to obtain and maintain an Onboarding Check.
   

In certain circumstances, an Employment Suitability Clearance (ESC) may be required in addition to, or in lieu of, an Onboarding Check, which will be determined by the delegate as necessary.  

Diversity and inclusion

The Department is committed to workforce diversity and applicants who are Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, come from a diverse cultural or linguistic background or have a disability are encouraged to apply.

RecruitAbility applies to this vacancy. Under the RecruitAbility scheme you will be invited to participate in further assessment activity for the vacancy if you choose to apply under the scheme; declare you have a disability; and meet the minimum requirements for the job. For more information visit: https://www.apsc.gov.au/recruitability

Technical assistance

For technical enquiries please call or email for assistance:

• Email: recruitment@homeaffairs.gov.au
• Phone: 1300 793 883 (within Australia) or +61 2 6196 0444 (outside of Australia)

Please include any applicable screen captures, a response will be provided during business hours.

Notes

The Department of Home Affairs offers an attractive remuneration package, including salary, superannuation benefits and flexible working conditions appropriate to the level of the position. The Australian Public Service (APS) Employee Value Proposition (EVP) highlights the top reasons our employees enjoy working in the APS.

The Department may provide relocation assistance to eligible APS employees required to relocate. The level of assistance will vary depending on the reason for relocating and your personal circumstances. For further information please enquire with the contact officer listed in the advertisement.

Information about employment and advice on how to apply for vacancies can be obtained from the Department’s website at https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/about-us/careers

Candidates should be aware that in roles where vaccination against COVID-19 is required by public health orders/directions or other legislation proof of vaccination will be required. If a candidate is not fully vaccinated or is unwilling to be vaccinated within a reasonable time period, they may not be offered that role.