Director, National Messaging System

Job Req ID

NEMA - 136932

Location

ACT 

 Employment Type

Ongoing, Full-time 

Classification

Executive Level 2 - $141,759.00 and $168,716.00 plus 15.4% super (part time pro-rata)

Contact Officer

Meghan Hibbert at meghan.hibbert@nema.gov.au  

Office Arrangements

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

Applications close on 11/03/2025 at 11:59pm AEDT (midnight) - Late applications will not be accepted.

******Please be advised that this vacancy has been extended until Tuesday 11 March 2025, 11:59PM AEDT (midnight)*****

About our opportunity

This process is being used to fill 1 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.
 

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:
The Operational Capability Branch is responsible for developing and implementing major national capability projects, including:

• National Emergency Management Stockpile (NEMS)
• National Messaging System (NMS)

The NEMS will give State and Territory Governments’ access to resources they need in a disaster. The Stockpile includes:

• A physical stockpile of goods
• The ability to quickly deploy resources nationwide
• A standing offer panel to procure goods and services.

The NMS will send phone based warning messages to compatible devices in near real-time. Relevant Federal, State and Territory Government agencies will be able to use the NMS to give emergency information to the public as needed. It will operate locally, regionally and nationally.
 
The NMS represents a step change in the capacity of the Australian Government to directly communicate with Australian Citizens on important public safety matters. It will also provide State and Territory emergency service organisations a fast, reliable and secure means to send emergency warnings and alerts in times of imminent threat.
 
Overview of the Section:
The section is responsible for the negotiation, build, stakeholder engagement and operationalisation of the National Messaging System (NMS), including leadership of the technical, intergovernmental, strategic and operational elements of the project and ensuring a seamless operationalisation of NMS within NEMA. The section will operate with a dedicated focus on the NMS and is responsible for all program and project governance, inter-jurisdictional and cross-agency negotiations and stakeholder functions.
 
About the role:
The role of the Director within National Messaging System is an opportunity to deliver a high profile, nation-wide project which will have a positive impact on the public safety of all Australians. As project lead with responsibility for negotiation, delivery, stakeholder engagement and operationalisation of the National Messaging System (NMS), the role will lead the technical, intergovernmental, strategic and operational elements of the project with the support of the Assistant Coordinator General.
 
The Director will be responsible for ensuring successful community based trials and a national awareness campaign of the NMS, as well as leading work to train users across all levels of Government and within NEMA.

The Director will be responsive to changing priorities and will provide sound advice to the senior leadership team, verbally and in writing in line with legislative and policy frameworks.
 
Our ideal candidate:
The Agency is looking for a self-motivated, people focused leader with strong experience in Government-led projects and the ability to deliver progress across multiple stakeholders and priorities. With a focus on delivery of an NMS that meets the needs of Local, State, Territory and Commonwealth users, our ideal candidate will represent the NMS project to internal and external stakeholders and help achieve inter-jurisdictional and inter-agency agreements.
 
The successful candidate will have excellent communication, negotiation and influencing skills and the ability to provide strategic advice on complex and sensitive matters. Whilst an understanding of the public safety environment and knowledge of telecommunications is desirable, you will have access to professional and technical expertise within your team and from external agencies as required, and the support of a supervisor who will help you work to your strengths.
 
If you are a great leader of people and projects and want to make a difference to Australians through kicking goals in your everyday work, then this role is for you.

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 contract negotiation, build, stakeholder engagement and operationalisation of the National Messaging System (NMS), including all project governance
• Lead negotiations with States and Territories over NMS access and use rights, and cost-sharing
• Provide leadership to external communications specific to the NMS project, including a large public awareness campaign
• Provide strategic advice and recommend solutions for issues which arise, taking into consideration wider agency and Whole of Government implications
• Lead Cabinet processes, manage reporting and provide leadership to a professional project team on matters relating to the NMS.

Role requirements/qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience in high-tempo Government-led projects, preferably in an area of high public interest and a high level of stakeholder engagement
• Sound influencing and negotiation skills, and able to develop effective relationships with a range of stakeholders including but not limited to community groups, State and Territory Governments and industry
• Understanding of relevant Government policy, legislative and financial frameworks including Commonwealth procurement rules
• Solid oral and written communication skills to clearly advise and influence stakeholders and decision makers
• Sound judgement and a high level of personal integrity and professional ethics
• An understanding of disaster management/public safety environment, and the issues facing Australia.

Please note that the salary range advertised is effective for people commencing from 13th March 2025. 

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
• A copy of your (insert type) qualification [update or remove]
• Include your full name and the Requisition Number - 136932 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 Negative Vetting Level 1 (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.