GAZ - EL1 - ACT - Assistant Director/Inspector - Joint Agency Task Force Operation Sovereign Borders
Requisition Number: 128004
Position Number/s: Several
Classification: Executive Level 1
Location: ACT
Division: Maritime Border Command & OSB
Branch: Jatf Osb Deputy Commander
Section: Joint Agency Task Force Operation Sovereign Borders
Security Classification: Negative Vetting Level 1/2
Salary: $106,527.00 to $124,931.00
Contact: Romina ROCHA Phone: 02 6275 6189
Period of Vacancy: Ongoing
Number of Vacancies: Several
Applications close: Tuesday 6 June 2023 at 11:59pm (midnight) - AEST . Late applications will not be accepted.
Who can apply:
Please note this opportunity is available to current Australian Public Service employees and all eligible members of the community.
About the Department of Home Affairs:
The Department is responsible for central coordination, and strategy and policy leadership in relation to cyber and critical infrastructure resilience and security, immigration, border security and management, counter-terrorism, the protection of our sovereignty, citizenship and social cohesion.
The Department implements a strategically coordinated approach to the cyber security and resilience of all Australians through the appointment of a Cyber Security Coordinator and continues to enable rapid responses to threats of foreign interference through the dedicated Counter Foreign Interference Coordinator. Additionally, the Department contributes to Australia’s prosperity and unity through the management and delivery of the migration, humanitarian and refugee programs.
The Department also promotes social cohesion through multicultural programs, providing settlement services and through managing and conferring citizenship.
Overview of the Branch and Section:
The Joint Agency Task Force Operation Sovereign Borders (JATF OSB) is recruiting to fill a range of key positions. JATF OSB is a military-led, integrated civil maritime security operation that was established in 2013 to deliver on the government’s commitment to combat people smuggling and protect Australia's borders. The JATF remains a critical priority of government.
JATF OSB comprises sixteen agencies that contribute their separate policy and legal authorities to achieve a singular OSB objective: to prevent irregular maritime activity targeting Australia. The JATF includes representatives across operational and law enforcement agencies, intelligence, policy and foreign affairs. This fusion creates a unique culture of innovation, agility and quality performance. JATF OSB is a branch with a collegiate working environment that rapidly upskills staff to ready them for higher duties and promotion.
The JATF OSB is supported by three operational task groups:
- Deterrence and Disruption Task Group - led by the Australian Federal Police
- Detection, Interception and Transfer Task Group - led by Maritime Border Command, a division within the Australian Border Force
- Regional Processing and Resettlement Task Group - led by the Department of Home Affairs
About the role:
We are seeking motivated candidates to work in the following Sections within the JATF OSB headquarters:
- JATF OSB Effects and Coordination is the interface between our senior executive and senior Australian Government ministers. Effects and Coordination works across the core functions of government – strategy, budget, briefings, speech writing, responses to QoNs, FOI and media requests. Effects and Coordination has a fast paced working environment, and the team is critical to enabling JATF OSB headquarters task groups.
- JATF OSB Operations and Plans is responsible for executing response operations when Suspected Irregular Entry Vessels enter Australian waters, playing a central role in the ‘last line of defence’ of Australia’s borders. The team delivers operational planning that assures senior executives across the JATF that our collective capability is ready to deliver response operations. The team assesses and advises the Deputy Commander and Commander JATF OSB on operational risk, led by intelligence information. The Ops and Plans team has a strong focus on collaboration across force commands, and is agile and innovative in managing emerging problem sets. Co-located secondees are involved in international engagement, intelligence collection and assessment, and developing and delivering Australia's anti-people smuggling campaign across the task groups.
- JATF OSB Strategic Communication seeks to influence the decisions of potential irregular immigrants and people smugglers and to deter them from joining or operating illegal maritime ventures to Australia. This is done through the design and implementation of the Australian Government’s offshore anti-people smuggling campaign, which raises awareness, educates and changes behaviour. The Strategic Communication team is renowned across the APS for it’s innovative, highly agile approach to communications that seek to change behaviour.
Our ideal candidate:
The Department 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. The successful candidates will be self-driven and seek to directly influence the key outcomes of the organisation.
Specific duties/responsibilities:
JATF OSB Effects and Coordination
- Developing short, medium and long term strategy to best position JATF OSB to deliver its mission within the constantly evolving operational environment
- Developing and implementing strategy to ensure JATF OSB and force commanders have adequate access to finance to achieve the mission objective
- Budget management and reporting, oversight of staffing strategy and recruitment
- Drafting briefings and correspondence for JATF OSB engagement with other senior government stakeholders, including input to the Secretaries Committee on National Security and the National Security Committee of Cabinet
- Drafting briefings and responses to JATF OSB Parliamentary and Ministerial processes, including:
- Question Time Briefs
- Ministerial Briefings and Correspondence, and
- Senate Estimates preparations.
- Reporting against JATF OSB risk control profiles and quarterly performance reporting for the JATF OSB Corporate Plan metric
- Coordinating and drafting responses to media enquiries and information disclosure requests for JATF OSB-related information, including Freedom of Information requests and subject specific talking points
- In close partnership with Home Affairs and DFAT, lead the JATF headquarters international engagement program to ensure the Command is apprised of emerging geopolitical issues, and is able to build bilateral relationships that contribute to the JATF mission.
JATF OSB Operations & Plans
- Under the direction of Superintendent Operations and Plans, lead, supervise, develop and support the Operations and Plans team in the conduct of their duties (including coaching, mentoring and performance management of blended teams)
- Develop and support critical planning, coordination and response to maritime people smuggling operations. This is achieved through collaborative relationships across internal and external stakeholders
- Utilise corporate planning frameworks to develop, plan, implement, monitor and measure operational effectiveness of JATF OSB operational effects
- Develop and review counter maritime people smuggling operational plans and policy/procedural documents
- Maintain readiness of JATF OSB capabilities to respond to planned and unplanned events
- Assess, forecast and recommend adjustment to JATF OSB capabilities, review risks and identify opportunities against emerging maritime people smuggling threats using effects based planning principles
- Support the stand-up of the Incident Control Centre (ICC) during counter maritime people smuggling operations
- Contribute technical expertise to inform Cabinet Submissions, Ministerial Briefings and New Policy Proposals.
JATF OSB Strategic Communications
- Assist in the ongoing iterative development and implementation of the anti-people smuggling strategic communication campaign to raise awareness of the Australian Government’s Operation Sovereign Borders policy to deter potential irregular immigrants from travelling illegally by boat to Australia
- Oversee the management of contracts and funding agreements with providers in accordance with procurement, grants, financial and legal guidelines
- Provide support to the Director in the overarching management of the anti-people smuggling communication campaign, including regularly monitoring and managing the campaign's budget and financial reporting requirements
- Prepare briefs for, and review proposals from, service providers for the delivery of campaign outputs
- Provide high level advice on anti-people smuggling communication campaign matters to the Minister’s office, and senior Home Affairs and Australian Border Force Executive
- Professionally represent the Section and maintain stakeholder relationships with internal and external providers/contacts/stakeholders
- Prepare briefings on anti-people smuggling communication for Government joint working groups, international delegations, Ministerial meetings and overseas posts
- Undertake financial management duties including the payment of invoices, foreign currency payments and managing purchase orders
- As part of your daily activities you are responsible for creating complete and accurate records in accordance with the Recordkeeping Practice Statement and Instruction and Guidelines.
Role requirements/qualifications:
JATF OSB Effects and Coordination
- This role requires strong strategic and policy skills, and capabilities in leading teams to achieve outcomes in high-pressure and complex environments
- Strategic acumen and appreciation of geo-political dynamics, national political influences and domestic public sentiment towards policies and procedures delivered by OSB operational activity
- Understanding of Parliamentary processes and Ministerial responsibility as it pertains to OSB activity and the ability to identify issues and opportunities to support CJATF and the broader OSB enterprise
- Ability to build contemporary and historical knowledge in relation to the global factors impacting maritime people smuggling issues and strategic implications for Australia’s border protection policy including:
- an awareness of (or ability to quickly acquire knowledge of) the legislation and policy parameters that support the OSB mission and the work of the JATF;
- a background in global counter people smuggling operations/activity (highly desirable)
- Strong collaboration, communication and stakeholder engagement skills
- Critical thinking and analytical skills to deliver operational and strategic outcomes to achieve CJATF intent
- Ability to respond, adapt, and work under significant time constraints with autonomy and exercise high level judgement in a sensitive, politicised environmen
- Ability handle highly sensitive information appropriately
- NV1/NV2 security clearance desirable.
JATF OSB Operations & Plans
- Ability to lead in a diverse and complex environment
- Ability to build contemporary and historical knowledge in relation to the global factors impacting maritime people smuggling issues and strategic implications to Australia’s border protection policy including:
- an awareness of (or ability to quickly acquire knowledge) the legislation and policy parameters that support the OSB mission and the work of the JATF;
- a background in global counter people smuggling operations/activity (highly desirable.)
- A working understanding of ABF and ADF asset capabilities relevant to OSB operations (or ability to quickly acquire.)
- Provide mission critical planning and operational support to Commander JATF (CJATF) and Deputy CJATF to meet OSB objectives
- Ability to collaborate and influence through strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills
- Critical thinking and analytical skills to develop and implement operational planning to achieve CJATF intent
- Ability to respond, adapt, and work under significant time constraints with autonomy and exercise high level judgement in a sensitive, politicised environment
- Experience in Command, Control and Coordination (C3) and Operational Planning (highly desirable)
- Out of hours and weekend work will be required during a response operation.
- NV1/NV2 security clearance desirable.
JATF OSB Strategic Communications
- Demonstrate creativity, passion, big idea thinking, and strategic awareness and explore new and innovative ideas to implement communication and behaviour change strategies
- Engage with multiple stakeholders to design and implement a programs of work that present layers of complexities and sensitivities
- Effectively manage relationships/contracts with a number of international providers
- Confidently provide communication advice to both internal and external stakeholders
- Work collaboratively as part of a high performing team to achieve best practice communication outcomes
- NV1/NV2 security clearance desirable.
Applicant response:
As part of your application, you will be required to prepare a response document (minimum 11pt font in MSWord or PDF format), which you will upload in the next section.
Please ensure you read the instructions carefully, noting failure to address identified requirements may lead to your application being deemed ineligible.
Please prepare a one-page Applicant Response in relation to the advertised role, outlining:
- Which role your are applying for
- 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.
How to apply:
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 System information relevant to the classification. You are required to submit your application in Home Affairs' online recruitment system (ourPeople).
As part of your application you will need to provide:
- Your CV
- Your Applicant Response document
- Details of two referees
- Include your full name and the Requisition Number - 128004 in the footer of any documents being uploaded.
Eligibility and Specific Conditions of Employment
To be eligible to work with the Department of Home Affairs you must:
- Be an Australian Citizen
- Fulfil the Department’s minimum requirements by satisfactorily answering all screening questions during the application process
- Obtain and maintain the required AGSVA clearance
- Obtain and maintain a current Employment Suitability Clearance
- Satisfy a probation period
- Undergo a health assessment (if applicable).
To be eligible to work in some roles, you may be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (including any COVID-19 booster dose to maintain an 'up-to-date' status). Candidates should be aware that in roles where vaccination against COVID-19 is required by public health orders/directions or other legislation, if a candidate is not fully vaccinated or is unwilling to be vaccinated within a reasonable period, they may not be offered that role.
Technical Assistance
If you are experiencing problems submitting your application online, please email the nature of the issues you are experiencing to Recruitment (recruitment@homeaffairs.gov.au) including screen captures if necessary. A response will be sent during business hours.
Notes
Remuneration: The Department offers an attractive remuneration package, including salary, superannuation benefits and flexible working conditions appropriate to the level of the position.
Home Affairs 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 in the Department of Home Affairs, 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.
If you have identified as having a disability, please indicate whether you require any support throughout the selection process. For further information please contact Recruitment: recruitment@homeaffairs.gov.au.