Assistant Director, Assurance & Compliance

Who we are

The Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) is part of the Commonwealth Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. As primary agency for Australia's Antarctic Program (AAP), the AAD is responsible for achieving the Australian Government's Antarctic goals.

These goals are to:

• Maintain the Antarctic Treaty System and enhance Australia's influence within it.
• Protect the Antarctic environment.
• Understand the role of Antarctica in the global climate system.
• Undertake scientific work of practical, economic and national significance.

The AAD also has responsibility for administering the Australian Antarctic Territory and the Territory of Heard Island and McDonald Islands.

Antarctic Operations and Safety Branch plan, coordinate, facilitate and deliver operations for the Australian Antarctic Program by safely resupplying and sustaining the Antarctic Stations and building operational capacity to deliver future Antarctic projects.

The AAD's Maritime Assets team works closely with the Maritime Logistics section to jointly facilitate and administer the full scope of maritime activities for the AAD each season, encompassing:

• Contract Management.
• Management of the Australian Antarctic Program's financial and physical resources/assets.
• The provision of specialist technical and engineering advice and oversight of contractor activities/performance.
• The execution of responsibilities as 'vessel owner' for the RSV Nuyina on behalf of the Commonwealth of Australia, including through the management and monitoring of all activities undertaken by Serco Defence as contracted Ship Manager.

The Job

The Assistant Director, Assurance & Compliance Manager:

• Work within a small and dedicated team with significant responsibility for the lifecycle management of RSV Nuyina.
• Apply well-developed knowledge and expertise across a range of regulatory frameworks relevant to:
  • The commercial maritime regulatory framework, in particular the international codes / conventions applicable to vessels conducting international voyages, the application of and requirements for compliance with Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) Marine Orders and other Marine Notices and Communications.
  • The International Safety Management (ISM) Code and International Ship and Port Security (ISPS) Codes and their application to shore-based and ship-based management plans and procedures.
  • The role of the classification society, classification society rules and regulations, and the associated survey and certification processes.
• Review and monitor the outcomes of third-party audit reports on the ship manager's performance from port state and flag state inspections and other audit / inspection activities (including ISM and ISPS) and follow up on closure of any observations and non-conformance reports.
• Monitor the process and output of safety, environmental and security incident reporting from the ship's manager, and liaise with relevant internal stakeholders to manage these through to closure from an AAD perspective.
• Work closely with relevant AAD internal operations stakeholders to ensure that safe work practices for AAD ship-based activities are appropriately documented and acceptable to the ship's manager.
• Implement and refine management plans, processes, procedures, and guidelines for the Maritime Assets section in line with best commercial maritime industry practice.
• Review and monitor daily voyage reporting from the ship's manager and from the ship's staff on conclusion of each voyage and season.
• Provide advice and reports to the Manager in relation to the ship manager's performance of vessel operations, ship availability, ship performance and compliance with regulatory requirements.

What we are looking for

Knowledge and experience:

• Comprehensive knowledge and expertise relevant to safe commercial maritime industry operations, legislation, policies, reporting frameworks, and the ability to apply this knowledge to develop and manage associated plans, documents, and processes.

Skills and capabilities:

• Effective leadership - including demonstrated capability in leading teams to deliver required outcomes in regard to complex issues and competing priorities within timeframes.
• Positive problem-solving skills - including proven ability to critically interrogate and analyse issues, generate practical solutions, and identify areas of risk relevant to this role.
• Highly developed communication skills - including effective written and oral communication and interpersonal skills, ability to convey complex matters in unambiguous and persuasive language and to build collaborative working relationships within small teams and with internal and external stakeholders.
• High level motivation - drive, initiative, and the ability to operate effectively with a considerable degree of independence.

Please note that the successful applicant may be required to travel to the Antarctic and sub-Antarctic regions therefore they may be required to meet specific medical, adaptability and personal qualities requirements appropriate to working in those environments.

In order to undertake travel to the Antarctic & sub-Antarctic regions they will need to:

• Demonstrate the range of personal qualities and interpersonal skills necessary to perform as a successful team member within isolated Antarctic and sub-Antarctic environments.
• Demonstrate an ability to effectively adapt and respond to the demands of living and working in an isolated and confined environment as determined by a psychological (adaptability) assessment.
• Be certified as fit for Antarctic service by the AAD's Polar Medicine Unit.

Desirable Qualifications:

• A current or previous marine ocean-going qualification as a Deck Officer on commercial vessels would be highly desired.

The successful applicant must:

• Hold and maintain a valid Australian motor vehicle drivers' licence.

Eligibility and other requirements

Citizenship - To be eligible for employment with the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water you must be an Australian citizen.

Security Clearance - This position requires a Baseline Vetting security clearance. You will be required to obtain and maintain a clearance at this level.