Deputy Director Defence Strategy & National Security

• ASPI is looking for an exceptional and experienced leader to support our largest team focused on current emerging defence and National Security challenges
• Join one of the Indo-Pacific’s top performing and most influential think tanks
• Join a progressive and supportive organisation with an engaging and vibrant organisational culture

About ASPI

ASPI is an independent, non-partisan think tank that produces expert and timely advice for strategic, defence and policy leaders and decision makers. ASPI is one of the most authoritative and widely quoted contributors to public discussion of strategic policy issues in the Indo-Pacific region and a recognised Australian voice in international discussion on defence, strategic, National Security, cyber, critical technology, climate, and foreign interference issues.

About the Role

ASPI is currently recruiting for a Deputy Director, Defence Strategy & National Security. This is an exceptional opportunity for a talented and experienced individual to contribute to the work of Australia's leading think-tank on strategic defence policy issues in a unique leadership role.

The Deputy Director, Defence Strategy & National Security will have demonstrated experience and some expertise in the following areas:

• Strategic and international defence policy
• Defence budget and capability (including defence investment, innovation and capability development) 
• The Indo-Pacific security environment
• Emerging and disruptive defence technologies

Duty Statement

The Deputy Director will:

• support the Director in leading the Defence Strategy& National SecurityProgram, including settingthe strategic research direction, managing the program staff and overseeing all activities of the program
• identifying suitableexternal contributors to ASPI’s researchprogram
• oversee the production of high-quality research products on a rangeof topics and ensure this research is timely, read and impactful
• oversee the program budget,financial delegations and staffing
• manage high level domesticand global relationships across the defenceand security sectors including with political, policymakers, business and civil society representatives
• convene and host eventsincluding conferences, panels and roundtables
• support the Director in developing new strategic initiatives that will help ASPI positionitself at the forefront of domestic and global strategic thinking and policymaking on defence and security issues
• identify potential new areasof revenue for the programand support fundraising activities
• represent ASPI in publicdiscussions of defenceand security issues
• develop a shared, open and consistent approach to managingASPI’s work
• work with the Director, Executive Director and other members of the Executive Management Team and ASPI staff

About You

Essential Criteria

We are looking for a motivated individual with a minimum of 10 years of demonstrated relevant work experience in policy and/or research and management. Key prerequisites for this role are:

• excellent interpersonal and team management skills 
• established networks and trusted relationships with key elements of Australia’s and our broader National Security community
• strong research experience, and an ability to effectively prioritise and project manage a research pipeline
• demonstrated capacity for effective governance, accountability and project delivery
• exceptional written communication and high-level editorial skills
• strong knowledge - either as a generalist or a specialist - of some of ASPI’s key subject areas
• confidence, humility, originality, energy and entrepreneurialism
• a desire to work within and build a high performing team
• the ability to represent ASPI at senior levels with national and international stakeholders

Other desirable skills/experience include:

• the ability to identify and raise research funding that could support future projects and programs of work;
• The ability to synthesise complex developments across research topics and explain these developments to key stakeholders, including media and politicians and in public speeches, in plain language.

The successful candidate will be offered a remuneration package at a level aligned with their demonstrated skills and expertise. At any one time, ASPI has multiple people working at the institute who are on unpaid leave or secondments from the Australian Public Service (APS). Similar arrangements could be negotiated for this role, pending approval from the APS department/agency.

How to Apply

1. All applications should be submitted to ****@aspi.org.au including the following documents:

• a letter of no more than one page in length, linking your motivation and skills to the above requirements;
• Resume/CV including two current referee contact details.

ASPI promotes a workplace that actively seeks to include, welcome and values unique contributions of all people. The Institute strongly encourages women and people from diverse cultural backgrounds including applicants from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds to apply.

The closing date for applications is 18 March 024– an early application is advised as we reserve the right to close the vacancy early if suitable applications are received.