Assistant Director, Programs Division

Job Req ID

NEMA - 136989

Location

ACT; QLD 

 Employment Type

Ongoing, Full-time / Part-time 

Classification

Executive Level 1 - $121,794.00 and $138,811.00 plus 15.4% super (part time pro-rata)

Contact Officer

Megan Barker | megan.barker@nema.gov.au | 0438 078 322 | 02 6198 7293  

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 08/04/2025 at 11:59pm AEST (midnight) - Late applications will not be accepted.

About our opportunity

This process is being used to fill 6 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; QLD.
 

About the National Emergency Management Agency:
The National Emergency Management Agency's work has a real impact on the lives of Australians, particularly those living in rural and regional areas.

The National Emergency Management Agency's guiding principle is “Locally led, locally understood and locally implemented” and we bring together local communities, government, non-government and key industry representatives to support disaster recovery and resilience across the country.

Your work will help people who are recovering from natural disasters and prepare them for the future.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) was established on 1 September 2022 as a single, accountable Commonwealth authority that delivers a whole-of-nation approach to reducing disaster risk, planning, preparing for, responding to and recovering from all hazards across the emergency management continuum. 
 
NEMA works closely with States and Territories to deliver the best outcome for communities across Australia. To help communities respond and recover, while preparing Australia for future emergencies, we:

• Fund programs and initiatives, big and small, that help communities in times of emergency, as well as to recover and prepare, including through disaster recovery funding and the Disaster Ready Fund to help reduce the risk and impact of disasters
• Have officers located across Australia, working in partnership with States and Territories to support disaster-affected communities to collectively build resilience, reduce risk and harm, and effectively respond to and recover from disasters
• Provide national leadership to share knowledge, situational awareness, and trends in disaster efforts to inform, guide and shape the national picture and decision-making at the Commonwealth, State and local Government level – including through policy development and strategy to improve risk reduction, resilience and recovery; and
• Provide round-the-clock all-hazards monitoring and operational coordination for domestic and international emergencies, including supply chain disruptions, critical infrastructure outages, biosecurity risks and widespread cyber-attacks, and through supporting preparedness and response activities, including through the operationalisation of the Australian Government Crisis Management Framework.

 
For further information on NEMA’s purpose, vision and values, please see About us | NEMA.
 
Overview of the Branch and Section:
Working within the Programs Division provides a unique opportunity to contribute to real change for communities impacted by disasters and help reduce the risk of future disasters.  The Division is responsible for the design, delivery and implementation of key programs that support communities recover, respond and better prepare for disasters. 
 
Some of the key programs the Division is responsible for include: 

• Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements | NEMA
• Disaster Ready Fund | NEMA
• Emergency Response Fund | NEMA
• Preparing Australian Communities Program - local | NEMA
• 2019–20 Black Summer bushfires | NEMA

 
About the role:
As an Assistant Director in the Programs Division, you will work closely with the Director and lead a small team to support the design, delivery and/or implementation of programs. You will build and maintain effective working relationships with stakeholders, including key delivery partners, Commonwealth and State and Territory Governments, to ensure programs are designed and administered within legislative boundaries and other mandatory frameworks.  

At times staff within NEMA may be required to work outside of standard business hours, particularly during the high-risk weather season.
 
Our ideal candidate:
You will be responsible for the provision of high-quality correspondence, complex briefings and reports to a range of stakeholders, including to Agency executives and the responsible Minister, often under pressure with tight delivery timeframes.  You will also be required to drive policy changes and improvements to ensure high quality outcomes. Effective program management is key, as is the ability to identify and manage risks. The position would suit someone with attention to detail and ability to manage competing priorities. 
 
We encourage applications from First Nations people, people with disability, LGBTQIA+ people, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, mature age people and people from other diverse backgrounds. We are committed to providing a working environment that values diversity and inclusion and supports staff to reach their full potential.
 
Specific duties/responsibilities:

• Lead the design and implementation of NEMA grant programs (including in partnership with the Business Grants Hub or States and Territories) to support communities impacted by natural disasters
• Establish and implement program governance to support effective risk management, monitoring and reporting frameworks 
• Lead and develop communications and briefings to support the Agency executives, the Minister and engagement with stakeholders, through ministerial submissions, Question Time and Senate Estimate briefs or responses to correspondence and media enquiries
• Build and sustain positive relationships with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders including all levels of Government and across the Commonwealth
• Make evidence-based decisions for program design and/or implementation by using strong analytical, research and problem solving skills based on legislation and other relevant frameworks
• Lead and inspire small teams. 

 
Role requirements/qualifications:

• A background in public policy analysis or development (grants) program management or coordination program monitoring and evaluation is preferred
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills to drive evidence based policy solutions in a dynamic and fast-paced environment
• An ability to work independently, identify priorities, goals and objectives, and manage risks to deliver consistently high-quality outputs to meet targets and critical deadlines. An ability to quickly pick up key concepts is useful 
• Excellent oral and written communication skills including the ability to confidently deliver presentations
• Demonstrated experience developing staff and leading a team in a complex and dynamic operational environment
• Demonstrated stakeholder engagement skills. 

 
Desirable:

• Experience in an emergency management, resilience or disaster management including in the mental health space
• Experience in grants management policy or program management at Commonwealth, State or local Government level.

Applicant response:
As part of your application, you will be required to prepare a one page 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:

• 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 the 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 - 136989 in the footer of any documents being uploaded.

Eligibility and Specific Conditions of Employment

To be eligible to work with the NEMA you must:

• Be an Australian Citizen
• Fulfil the Agency's minimum requirements by satisfactorily answering all screening questions during the application process and successfully undergo a National Police Check
• Obtain and maintain a Baseline Vetting (AGSVA) security clearance
• Satisfy a probation period (if applicable)
• Undergo a health assessment (if applicable).
   

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 Agency offers an attractive remuneration package, including salary, superannuation benefits and flexible working conditions appropriate to the level of the position.

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.