NEMA Assistant Director, National Crisis Exercising Capability

Job Req ID

NEMA - 141019

Location

ACT 

 Employment Type

Ongoing, Full-time 

Classification

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

Contact Officer

Jennifer Pothan on 02 5127 8192 or jennifer.pothan@nema.gov.au  

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 28/01/2026 at 11:59pm AEDT (midnight) - Late applications will not be accepted.

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; NSW; NT; QLD; SA; TAS; VIC; WA.
 

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.

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
  • 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 the NEMA website.

Overview of the branch and section:

The National Coordination Mechanism Branch (NCMB) facilitates the National Coordination Mechanism (NCM) in accordance with the Australian Government Crisis Management Framework (AGCMF), prepares and maintains strategic plans, supports preparedness for the higher risk weather season and implements the national crisis exercising program, lessons capability and delivery of capability uplift programs.

With responsibilities under the AGCMF, the National Crisis Exercising and Lessons Capability (NCEC) plays a critical role in strengthening Australia’s national resilience by designing, implementing, and managing a national crisis exercise program and lessons management capability. Structured around three core streams, NCEC supports preparedness for consecutive, compounding, and concurrent crises across all levels of government.

Key Responsibilities:
National Crisis Exercise Program - NCEC administers the National Crisis Exercise Program, which includes the strategic planning, design, and delivery of two national level exercises each calendar year. These exercises simulate complex, multi-agency, multi-hazard scenarios to rigorously assess and enhance Australia’s readiness for catastrophic events.

Lessons Management Capability - NCEC leads structured lessons management processes to drive continuous improvement in crisis preparedness. Using the Observations, Insights, Lessons identified and Lessons learned (OILL) methodology, NCEC transforms operational data into strategic insights, ensuring systemic improvements that reduce harm and strengthen organisational capability across Australia’s emergency management landscape.

Capability Uplift Program - NCEC delivers targeted initiatives to strengthen national exercise and lessons management competencies across government. Through tailored training, collaborative forums, and strategic partnerships, the program builds resilience and promotes best practice in crisis preparedness. By fostering knowledge sharing and continuous improvement, NCEC ensures Australia’s emergency management community is equipped to respond effectively to complex and high-impact events.

About the role:

This role is based in our Canberra office, within the National Coordination Mechanism Branch, Emergency Management and Response Group.

As Assistant Director in the NCEC, you will lead a dynamic team responsible for the design and delivery of national-level crisis exercises and lessons management processes. Reporting to the Director, you will play a key role in shaping strategic direction, driving continuous improvement, and supporting NEMA’s objective to build scalable and coordinated emergency management capability. The position involves setting team priorities, managing workflows, and building and maintaining critical stakeholder relationships across government and industry. You will also be responsible for mentoring and developing staff, fostering a collaborative and high-performing team environment, and contributing to broader branch and agency outcomes. The role offers the opportunity to develop expertise in Australia’s crisis response architecture, and to lead impactful projects in fast-paced and evolving environments.

At times, staff within NEMA may be required to work outside of standard business hours, particularly during the higher risk weather season.

Our ideal candidate:

We are seeking a proactive and adaptable leader who thrives in complex and rapidly changing environments. The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong project management and organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and deliver quality outcomes. You will have excellent written and verbal communication skills, a high degree of attention to detail, and a collaborative approach to achieving shared goals. Experience in building positive working environments, developing staff capability, and engaging with a diverse range of stakeholders is essential. While experience in emergency management is beneficial, it is not mandatory. Above all, you will be committed to upholding APS values and contributing to a culture of continuous improvement and national resilience.

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 delivery of national-level crisis exercises, including monitoring progress and escalating issues as required.
  • Oversee lessons management processes in partnership with government, state and territory agencies, and industry organisations for events of national significance.
  • Manage and mentor a team, setting clear performance standards and supporting professional development.
  • Build and maintain effective stakeholder relationships to achieve shared outcomes and facilitate cooperation.
  • Contribute to strategic planning and continuous improvement initiatives, ensuring alignment with agency goals and objectives.

Role requirements/qualifications:

• • Strong project management or highly developed organisational skills, with the capacity to manage competing priorities and deliver quality outcomes in a dynamic environment.
  • Demonstrated excellence in stakeholder engagement and partnership building, with the ability to collaborate effectively at high levels across government, state and territory agencies, and industry organisations to achieve shared outcomes.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with strong attention to detail and accuracy in documentation.
  • Proven ability to build positive working environments, mentor staff, and foster team capability and collaboration.
  • Experience in emergency management is desirable but not mandatory.

Assessment Process:

The recruitment selection process for this round may include one or more of the following:

• • Applicant response
  • Interview
  • Work sample assessment
  • Psychometric testing
  • Reference checks

Applicant response:

As part of your application, you will be required to prepare a one-page response document (minimum 11pt font in Microsoft Word 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 - 141019 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.