Senior Secretariat Officer – Australian Universities Accord

The Australian Government has committed to deliver an Australian Universities Accord (the Accord) to agree an enduring vision for the higher education sector in Australia.  

The Accord Final Report was released on 25 February 2024 and provides 47 recommendations to Government. In the 2024-25 Budget the Australian Government announced a range of measures in response to recommendations from the Final Report: Accord 2024-25 Budget Measures - Department of Education, Australian Government.  
The Australian Universities Accord Division in the Department of Education focuses on supporting the Government in its consideration and implementation of the Accord - the biggest and broadest review of the higher education sector in 15 years, that sets out a blueprint for higher education reform for the next decade and beyond.

This will include working closely with stakeholders on policy co-design processes, significant consultation activities including panel secretariat and engagement, and policy design and implementation, on a broad range of significant reforms.

We are seeking candidates to fill a range of roles to support this priority work across the Accord Division. These roles bring the opportunity to work at the heart of a major Government reform, with direct impact on the lives and wellbeing of Australians, that will fundamentally re-shape the higher education system. 

We encourage candidates with a background or interest in social policy or education policy to apply.
 

Responsibilities of the APS Level 6, Senior Secretariat Officer may include:

• coordinate and deliver a secretariat function, including scheduling meetings, developing agendas, drafting minutes, and tracking identified actions 
• prepare documentation and reports and maintain record-keeping requirements 
• produce high quality work and provide accurate advice with limited direction 
• provide support to high level internal governance committees and senior executives
• develop and maintain positive working relationships with team members and stakeholders 
• complete financial transactions and purchasing services, ensuring compliance with departmental policies and procedures
• provide support to lower-level members of the team.

Citizenship: Please note, under section 22(8) of the Public Service Act 1999, employees must be Australian citizens to be employed in the APS unless the Agency delegate has agreed, in writing.

Security Clearance: This is a designated security assessed position. The successful candidate will have the ability to obtain and maintain a Baseline security clearance. 
 

This selection process may be used to establish a merit pool. The pool might be accessed to fill ongoing and non-ongoing vacancies for similar roles in the Department over the next 18 months.

The Department of Education contributes to Australia's economic prosperity and social wellbeing by creating opportunities and driving better outcomes through access to quality education and learning. A strong early childhood education system built around early learning and child care gives children the best start in life—supporting them to build social and behavioural skills to help prepare them to transition to school. For parents and carers, affordable child care enables them to participate in the workforce, pursue further education or other opportunities to contribute to their community — bolstering the social wellbeing and economic prosperity of the nation. As children continue their journey through school, access to quality education creates the foundation for a bright future – it opens a world of possibilities and equips children and young people with the skills, knowledge, and career advice to prepare them for further work or study to fulfil their dreams. An affordable, and accessible higher education sector allows Australians and international students to pursue their passion in life or reskill for the jobs of the future. A strong higher education and research sector in step with national priority areas provides people with an opportunity to choose a career path that addresses skill shortages or the challenges of the future including, clean energy, advanced manufacturing, health, and education. Through education and learning, we change lives, create opportunities, and support Australia's economic success and social wellbeing.