Assistant Secretary, Governance

Who we are 

The Enterprise Strategy and Governance Division (the division) delivers departmental services such as media and communications, engagement, governance, planning, reporting, risk management crisis and emergency preparedness and response. We provide direct support to the minister’s office and manage Parliamentary and Cabinet business for the department.

We advise the executive and business areas on portfolio strategy, including developing and embedding the department’s strategic purpose, objectives, priorities, vision and values. We are supporting an organisational capability uplift and driving an improved integrated approach to budget, financial planning and decision-making. The division also includes the First Nations branch and is responsible for the delivery of the department’s First Nations Platform for Shared Benefits.

The Governance Branch is responsible for:

• Developing and supporting the department to implement the Enterprise
• Reporting and Performance Framework, including delivery corporate documents such as the Corporate Plan, Annual Report and performance reporting.
• Developing and implementing the department’s Enterprise Risk Management Framework and Policy, including supporting the department to build a robust risk culture.
• Supporting the Audit and Risk Committee and delivering the internal audit program
• Providing Parliamentary and Cabinet services including management of Senate Estimates, Question Time Briefings, Questions on Notice, Parliamentary Inquiries, Departmental Liaison coordination and support
• Maintaining the department’s Parliamentary Document Management System (PDMS)
• Managing cross-coordination support, appointments and reporting on department and whole of portfolio information to the Minister’s office and executive
• Providing administrative support to the Inspector-General of Biosecurity and Inspector-General of Live Animal Exports.

The job

The Assistant Secretary, Governance will work with the division’s Assistant Secretaries to contribute to the broader strategic direction of the organisation.

The duties of the role include:

• Leading the Governance branch and setting a vision that aligns to the department’s Purpose, Objectives and Priorities and Vision.
• Supervising, coaching and mentoring staff to deliver outcomes.
• Ensuring the department follows the Commonwealth government performance and reporting frameworks by developing and implementing fit-for-purpose performance and enterprise risk management frameworks and systems.
• Delivering a range of strategic and operational planning and performance reporting documents, including the Corporate Plan, Annual Report and business planning tools and templates, to support effective governance and accountability. 
• Managing the Ministerial and Parliamentary support functions including appointments.

Security clearance

This position requires a Negative Vetting Level 1 security clearance. The successful applicant will be required to obtain and maintain a clearance at the appropriate level for this position.

Closing Date

Applications close:   11:00pm (AEST) on Wednesday 31 January 2024