GAZ - EL1 - ACT - NEMA Assistant Director Policy

Requisition Number: 127595
Position Number/s: 60160626 
Classification: Executive Level 1 
Location: ACT  
Division: National Coordination & Op Support  
Branch: Operational Capability  
Section: Capability Projects  
Security Classification: Negative Vetting Level 1 
Salary: $112,822.00 to $128,586.00  
Contact: Prue Walker, prue.walker@nema.gov.au  Phone: 02 5127 7432
Period of Vacancy: Ongoing 
Number of Vacancies: 1 

Applications close: Sunday 4 June 2023 at 11:59pm (midnight) - AEDT. 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 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.

Overview of the Branch

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) delivers a whole-of-nation approach to reducing disaster risk, planning, preparing for, responding to and recovering from all hazards across the emergency management spectrum. The Operational Capability Branch is responsible for designing and implementing a range of national emergency management programs; emergency management and disaster resilience policy development; and vocational training across the Emergency Management and Response Group. The Operational Capability Branch has two sections, the National Capability Coordination Section and Capability Projects Section. EL1 Policy roles are currently available across both.

National Capability Coordination Section

The National Capability Coordination Section within the Operational Capability Branch supports the Emergency Management and Response Group (EMR Group) across three main lines of effort: emergency management and disaster resilience policy development, vocational training across the Emergency Management and Response Group and cabinet support and guidance to the suite of capability projects that the Branch is managing. The training team within the section leads training design, development, delivery, coordination and procurement to meet the general and specialist vocational training requirements of the Group.

Capability Projects Section – National Programs 

Public Safety Mobile Broadband (PSMB)

The PSMB program is a ground breaking, future facing program that will provide emergency service organisations with access to high speed, high capacity mobile broadband to enable real-time voice, video and data communications, vastly improving interoperability and situational awareness. NEMA is leading this project on behalf of the Australian Government with the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts.

National Messaging System (NMS)

When complete, the NMS will enable the Australian Government to send messages and information to the public during crisis, emergency and disaster events. State and Territory emergency services organisations will be provided access to an interface, enabling authorised officers to send critical alerts and warnings within their jurisdiction or defined cross border areas. NEMA is leading this project on behalf of the Australian Government with the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts.

National Emergency Management Stockpile (NEMS)

The National Emergency Management Stockpile team within National Capability Projects of NEMA forms part of the Australian Government’s response to the 2020 Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements. The NEMS is designed to augment State and Territory emergency response and relief capabilities in crisis and ensure critical resources are able to be quickly deployed to areas of greatest need.

About the roles

The ‘Assistant Director – Policy’ roles in the Operational Capability Branch operate under broad direction to support the Directors and teams in developing high-level and complex policy and in delivering a suite of forward-looking national emergency management projects, both with a focus on building national emergency management capability aligned to NEMA’s strategic priorities. The Assistant Directors of Policy will lead a small team to develop policy, coordinate and deliver initiatives, consult across Government and with key stakeholders, and develop strategies and frameworks for the EMR Group.

In addition to the responsibilities listed above, these roles will be responsible for preparing and reviewing high level documents such as Cabinet submissions, new policy proposals, Ministerial briefs and submissions relevant to the work of the section. Roles in the Capability Projects Section may be responsible for leading project management office activities, including project reporting, financial management, procurement and contract management. 

At times, the roles may be required to assist in other functions delivered by the Section and may be required to work outside of standard business hours, in support of EMR operational priorities.

Our ideal candidates

NEMA is looking for people who can demonstrate resilience, agility, responsiveness and curiosity in the course of their work. Our ideal candidate will be passionate about assisting the Australian community and driving long-term preparedness and lasting recovery efforts.

The successful candidates will be self-driven and seek to directly influence the key outcomes of the Agency.

Specific duties/responsibilities

• Manage, mentor and lead a team responsible for delivering complex capability projects, national emergency management initiatives, and/or policy development
• Set team responsibilities and priorities to achieve assigned goals and objectives
• Effectively manage workflow and resources while recognising the need to be flexible and responsive to organisational change
• Develop high quality, complex, sensitive and time critical advice, correspondence, briefing (including sensitive and high level) materials, reports and policy, based on sound evidence-based research
• As directed, develop funding submissions and manage procurement activities and contracts
• Develop, foster and maintain mutually beneficial and productive working relationships with key stakeholders (internal/external), Australian Government, industry and international partners.

Role requirements/qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in leading a team to deliver complex projects and key bodies of work to a high level and within agreed timeframes
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills and experience
• Strong policy skills, including proficiency in undertaking research from multiple sources, applying problem-solving strategies and making evidence based solutions for complex issues
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience writing high level briefs, reports and Ministerial submissions
• Experience with Cabinet processes, policy costings and drafting of costing justifications, or willingness to obtain.

Applicant response

As part of your application, please prepare a one-page Applicant Response (minimum 11pt font in MSWord or PDF format), in relation to the advertised role which you will upload in the next section, 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.

Please ensure you read the instructions carefully, noting failure to address identified requirements may lead to your application being deemed ineligible.

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 - 127595 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
• Obtain and maintain the required AGSVA 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 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.