Director, Programs Division

Job Req ID

NEMA - 137001

Location

ACT; QLD 

 Employment Type

Ongoing, Full-time / Part-time 

Classification

Executive Level 2 - $141,759.00 and $168,716.00 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 1 immediate position.

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 Executive Level 2 Director, you will report to an Assistant Coordinator General or Senior Director while driving and managing a small team. The Group will support you to gain a comprehensive understanding of the policy areas that NEMA influences, ultimately to drive disaster risk reduction across all sectors, communities and levels of Government. You will have the support of a passionate team who believe in the work they do to support the Australian community and learn from like-minded individuals.

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:
A key requirement for this role is the ability to manage competing priorities, delegate effectively to your team, solve problems, manage key agency stakeholders and be resilient, responsive and flexible in a dynamic environment. We are recruiting for a number of roles during this exciting phase of growth for the group, so we have included a wide range of responsibilities to account for various streams of work.  
 
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:

• Build and lead a high-performing team to sustainably achieve results while maintaining a productive and inclusive culture 
• Support the delivery of key policies and programs to contribute to disaster risk reduction, recovery and resilience 
• Develop and maintain effective relationships with a range of stakeholders, collaborating and cooperating to build strong working relationships and deliver positive policy outcomes 
• Stakeholders include but are not limited to, Australian Government stakeholders, State and Territory Governments, local councils, industry, charities, private sector and community groups
• Develop high quality ministerial submissions, Senate Estimates briefs, Questions on Notice, Talking Points and information briefs as required. This can often be under pressure and within tight delivery timeframes
• Provide strategic advice to NEMA Executives and key stakeholders, which may include representing NEMA at external meetings
• Coordinate high level strategic secretariat, administrative and logistical support to key forums that support cross-portfolio and ministerial level meetings. 

 
Role requirements/qualifications:

• Exceptional leadership skills, including demonstrated ability to adapt, navigate uncertainty and build a high-performing team 
• A sound understanding of disasters and climate change, and the issues facing Australia, or the ability to acquire this knowledge quickly 
• Extensive experience in policy or program management and/or in disaster funding programs/policy at Commonwealth, State or local Government level 
• Demonstrated ability to work productively across stakeholders and build an effective network to influence and negotiate to inform policy/program advice  
• Excellent oral and written communication skills including attention to detail, ability to confidently deliver presentations and chair meetings 
• Strong organisational and analytical skills to interpret and evaluate policy/program information, identify trends and implement solutions 
• A sound understanding of relevant Government policy, legislative and financial frameworks including Commonwealth procurement and grant rules and guidelines.  

 
Desirable skills and expertise: 

• Policy development and program management 
• Exceptional written skills and effective stakeholder management 
• Data and program reporting 
• Finance or accounting, specifically financial analysis of program funding. 

Note: Work in this group is varied and the tempo will be fast-paced during and following disaster events, and during the Higher-Risk Weather Season (October to April) 

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 - 137001 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.