NEMA Freedom of Information and Privacy Officer

Job Details

Job Req ID

NEMA - 142104

Location

ACT; QLD 

Employment Type

Ongoing, Full-time 

Classification

APS Level 6 - $99,734.00 to $111,701.00 plus 15.4% super (part time pro-rata)

Contact Officer

Pamela Hill at Pamela.hill@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.
 

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 Freedom of Information (FOI), Privacy and Compliance team is part of the Strategic Communication and Engagement Section within NEMA’s Media, Communications and Engagement Branch.

The branch provides expert advice on public, internal, executive, stakeholder and media communications to support NEMA’s business, policy and program priorities. It works closely with the Minister’s Office and NEMA executive and is responsible for ministerial, parliamentary and other governance functions, including FOI and privacy. The branch also supports NEMA to meet the expectations of the Minister’s Office, engage effectively in parliamentary and Cabinet processes, and comply with the requirements of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Framework.

About the role

The Freedom of Information (FOI) and Privacy Officer manages requests for documents made to NEMA and its ministers under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 and supports the agency’s compliance with the Privacy Act 1988. The position undertakes FOI case management, privacy casework and provides advice to business areas in collaboration with the agency’s legal team. 

The role requires a self-motivated and adaptable professional who can exercise sound judgement, demonstrate initiative and manage complex matters in a fast-paced and evolving environment. Working collaboratively across the agency, the officer engages with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders, including senior executives, to deliver timely, high-quality outcomes aligned with organisational priorities. 

The position requires highly developed written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to build and maintain effective working relationships across NEMA and with key external stakeholders.

Reporting to the Assistant Director, FOI, Privacy and Compliance, the officer works within a small team with a broad remit and contributes to related priorities and processes as required.

Our ideal candidate

We are seeking an excellent communicator with strong written and verbal communication skills, and confidence engaging directly with stakeholders, including the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with people at all levels across NEMA and with key external stakeholders. The successful candidate will exercise sound judgement, demonstrate strong prioritisation skills, and be able to work effectively in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.  

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.

Duties and responsibilities

• Manage Freedom of Information (FOI) requests in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 1982, including applying statutory timeframes, coordinating reasonable searches, identifying exempt material, and supporting decision-making processes
• Prepare high-quality correspondence and communicate effectively with FOI applicants, providing clear explanations of decisions and legislative requirements
• Respond to requests for information from the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) in relation to reviews of FOI decisions
• Provide timely and professional advice on the application of the Privacy Act 1988 to NEMA's activities, including undertaking privacy casework and supporting business areas to meet their privacy obligations 
• Deliver practical FOI and privacy training, guidance, and support to employees, promoting awareness and compliance with legislative requirements 
• Maintain and apply contemporary FOI and privacy knowledge, contributing to the provision of accurate advice and the effective management of information access and privacy matters 
• Build productive relationships across NEMA and with external stakeholders to coordinate outcomes and support responsive, high-quality service delivery
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of FOI and privacy procedures, systems, and service delivery practices 
• Maintain accurate records, monitor team inboxes, and respond to requests for advice in a timely manner. 

Role requirements/qualifications

• Experience in processing requests under the Freedom of Information Act 1982, including conducting internal reviews and managing reviews before the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC), is desirable
• Sound knowledge of, or the ability to quickly acquire knowledge of, the legislation, policy and practice relating to the Privacy Act 1988 and the Freedom of Information Act 1982, including their application to Australian Government agencies
• Demonstrated ability to liaise with and provide accurate, informed advice to decision-makers, senior executives, ministerial staff, and other agencies. 

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 as well as the APSC guidance on Principles for candidate use of AI in recruitment. 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 – NEMA - 142104 in the footer of any documents being uploaded.

Diversity and inclusion

The Department is committed to workforce diversity and applicants who are Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, come from a diverse cultural or linguistic background or have a disability are encouraged to apply.

RecruitAbility applies to this vacancy. Under the RecruitAbility scheme you will be invited to participate in further assessment activity for the vacancy if you choose to apply under the scheme; declare you have a disability; and meet the minimum requirements for the job. For more information visit: https://www.apsc.gov.au/recruitability

Eligibility

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@homeaffairs.gov.au including screen captures if necessary. A response will be sent during business hours.

Notes

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@homeaffairs.gov.au.