Assistant Director - National Security Division

National Security & Resilience | National Security | National Resilience Taskforce 

As part of the Department of Home Affairs' National Security and Resilience Group, National Security Division (NSD) focuses on the development of a more secure and resilient nation, better able to withstand shocks and adapt to emerging changes in the global, regional and domestic environments. NSD works to protect Australia from National Security threats and support national resilience through effective national coordination, policy and strategy development, legislative reform and regional cooperation. The division engages with diverse stakeholders across governments, industry and civil society to address cross-cutting issues and an evolving security environment to enhance Australia's ability to withstand and recover from various challenges.

NSD comprises two branches, the National Resilience Taskforce and the National Security and Intelligence Policy Branch. 

National Resilience Taskforce Branch

The National Resilience Taskforce is leading a body of work to better position Australia to prepare for and manage the significant set of risks and challenges that Australia faces across the full crisis spectrum. The taskforce leads on national resilience policy and strategy. Members of the taskforce contribute to a dynamic, high-paced, innovative and exciting team, working on some of the most important challenges Australia faces.

The taskforce is exploring and delivering a range of priority lines of effort, including:

• Considering the domestic implications of the geostrategic environment
• Developing a National Resilience Framework to bolster Australia's ability to anticipate, prevent, absorb, adapt and evolve from extreme and concurrent crises or shocks
• Exploring options to ensure Australia is resilient against malicious activity, including exploring national and departmental resilience capabilities and planning for nationally significant crises
• Ensuring Australia has the right legislative, policy settings and national capacity to manage national crises
• Identifying and assessing National Security climate impacts and risks and developing policies to address critical National Security vulnerabilities resulting from or exacerbated by climate change.

National Security and Intelligence Policy Branch

The National Security and Intelligence Policy Branch (NSIP) is responsible for the delivery of a range of policy and operational outcomes in support of protecting our people, economy and institutions. NSIP addresses evolving National Security challenges through the ongoing review of legislation and guidance of the national intelligence community, particularly ASIO; updates to the border legislation framework, ensuring it is flexible and response to future national emergencies; and a contemporary approach to the coordination and delivering of protective security arrangements for high office holders and special events. 

Within NSIP, the Intelligence Policy and Legislation Section is seeking talented and energetic policy and legal professionals who want to work at the sharp end of policy and legislative reform. As a member of the team, you will be given the opportunity to have a direct impact on the way Australia's intelligence and security agencies operate in a rapidly changing world. The section leads development of exciting and complex policy and legislative reforms in response to emerging National Security priorities.

The section drives and coordinates a range of high priority initiatives, including:

• Legislative reform impacting the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation and Australia's electronic surveillance framework
• Administering the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Act 1979 and parts of the Intelligence Services Act 2001 and Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979
• Implementation of key recommendations arising from of Dennis Richardson AC's Comprehensive Review of the Legal Framework of the National Intelligence Community.

Our ideal candidate

We are looking for dynamic and motivated staff who:

• Want to solve complex problems, drive and deliver innovative policy outcomes for the Portfolio, and foster a positive team culture whilst working in a dynamic and proactive environment
• Rapidly build strong subject matter expertise to support the strategic analysis and development of policy options
• Engage with risk to help business areas develop solutions to critical problems and be confident and able communicators with strong representation skills
• Work collaboratively and foster productive working relationships internally and across Government
• Demonstrate sound judgement and commitment to delivering quality outcomes.

Duties and responsibilities

• Lead the development of policy and/or legislation and provide advice to Ministers and senior executive by undertaking research and analysis, and identifying and evaluating benefits, risks and opportunities
• Facilitate and lead broad stakeholder engagement to support the effective delivery of projects or initiatives with strategic partners across the Portfolio, and/or in academia, industry and Government
• Maintain acute strategic awareness of the portfolio's operating environment and apply sound judgement to effectively translate and coordinate strategic and enterprise priorities
• Apply confident communication skills to facilitate workshops, test policy responses with a diverse stakeholder base, negotiate outcomes and help plan for an uncertain future in a structured way
• Provide leadership to support a productive, inclusive and high-performing team culture, and supervise and support the development and performance of team members in an environment with shifting priorities and change.

Additional information

The National Security Division values diverse skills, qualifications, perspectives and backgrounds. While there are no mandatory requirements, the following experience and/or qualifications are well regarded for some positions:

• Tertiary qualifications in governance and public administration (or similar)
• High-quality writing skills
• Policy, Cabinet or legislation experience
• For the Intelligence Police and Legislation roles, experience in the National Intelligence Community (NIC), and/or familiarity with intelligence policy and legislation matters.

How to apply

Submit your application and CV through the Home Affairs’ recruitment system (ourPeople) before the closing date on 29/02/2024 at 11:59pm (midnight) AEDT  – Late applications will not be accepted.

As part of your application you will be required to prepare and submit a one-page applicant response document 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

Applicant response documents must be a minimum 11pt font in MSWord or PDF format, include your full name and the Requisition Number – 131239 in the document footer.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the position you must be an Australian Citizen.

The successful candidate will be required to obtain and maintain a Negative Vetting Level 1  (AGSVA) security clearance and an Employment Suitability Clearance (ESC).

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.

Technical assistance

For technical enquiries please call or email for assistance:

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Notes

The Department of Home Affairs offers an attractive remuneration package, including salary, superannuation benefits and flexible working conditions appropriate to the level of the position.

The Department may provide relocation assistance to eligible APS employees required to relocate. The level of assistance will vary depending on the reason for relocating and your personal circumstances. For further information please enquire with the contact officer listed in the advertisement.

Candidates should be aware that in roles where vaccination against COVID-19 is required by public health orders/directions or other legislation proof of vaccination will be required. If a candidate is not fully vaccinated or is unwilling to be vaccinated within a reasonable time period, they may not be offered that role.