AddressAbout the Merit Protection Commissioner
The Merit Protection Commissioner (MPC) is an independent statutory officer established under the Public Service Act 1999. The Australian Public Service Commission (APSC) provides the MPC with staff to assist in the exercise of its functions. Staff employed to assist the MPC are employees of the APSC.
A core function of the MPC is conducting merits review of employment decisions. We review decisions such as breaches of the Code of Conduct and sanction decisions, matters relating to allowances and other payments, flexible working arrangements, performance management, workplace behaviour and leave.
The MPC is also responsible for managing reviews of promotion decisions to determine merit in promotion decisions. We can also conduct inquiries into actions that relate to breaches of the Code of Conduct. The MPC may also provide employment-related services including misconduct investigations and convening selection processes.
Further information about the MPC can be found at www.mpc.gov.au.
About the role
The Senior Review Officer will assess applications from APS and Parliamentary Service employees and conduct reviews ‘on the merits’, which means taking a fresh look at the relevant facts.
The principle objective of merits review is to make sure that the employment related decisions being reviewed are correct and preferable in all the circumstances.
- Correct – in the sense that they are made according to law, policy and procedures.
- Preferable – in that if there are a range of decisions that are correct, the decision made is the best taking into account of all the circumstances and facts.
Other duties may include convening or participating on Promotion Review Committees and decision-making as an authorised Freedom of Information (FOI) officer. The role also undertakes business improvement project work as required.
In order to succeed in the role, you will have:
- Strong analytical and problem solving skills, including demonstrated ability to apply sound judgement, with limited direction, to make decisions and recommendations based on facts, evidence and logical reasoning.
- Demonstrated ability to manage a large and complex workload with competing priorities.
- Demonstrated ability to produce high quality written reports and a high level of communication and interpersonal skills.
- Knowledge and sound understanding of the principles of administrative law.
- Demonstrated experience or ability to develop high level understanding of employment-related issues and decision-making.
