Senior Workplace Relations Specialist

Did you know?

The mission of the Australian Federal Police is to provide dynamic and effective law enforcement to the people of Australia. It provides policing throughout Australia in relation to the prevention and detection of crimes against the Commonwealth, its laws and integrity, and community police services to the Community of the ACT.

Working for the AFP provides you with a diverse and rewarding career. Whether you immerse yourself in a position on the frontline, or provide critical operational or professional support, the work you do makes a big impact on the people of Australia. 

We recognise your contribution to our workforce and offer generous remuneration and conditions including:

• Six weeks (30 days) of paid annual leave per year + additional paid Christmas stand down 
• 4 extra mandatory leave rest days per year 
• 18 days of paid personal leave per year
• Generous superannuation of 15.4%
• 16 weeks of paid maternity leave (after 12 months of service) + an additional 36 weeks of maternity leave without pay
• Generous salaries and incremental salary progression governed by the AFP Enterprise Agreement 
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangement that provides work/life balance
• Health & wellbeing services – with a focus on early intervention, education and prevention
• Access to ongoing training and professional development opportunities

About the team

Workplace Relations sits within the People Strategies branch under the People Command and is responsible for the strategic and operational delivery of a range of people and employment related services that support the workforce, HR partners and Senior Executive.

Workplace Relations consists of four teams:

• Industrial Relations: The team manages the employment framework, responds to complex industrial matters from commands, employees and their representatives, manages internal disputes relating to the employment framework and represents the AFP on employment-related external disputation.
• Performance Management: The team supports the AFP’s leaders to effectively manage employee performance and ensures the process is driven by HR best practice. The team is also responsible for supporting the delivery of performance management policy and governance and maintaining accurate performance management records.
• People Policy: The team manages the governance for the People Strategies branch, ensuring the material is clear and concise and supports the AFP’s employment framework by guiding consistent and fair decision-making.
• Executive Services: The team provides a professional and responsive HR advisory service to the organisation’s Senior Executive Service (SES) including the recruitment, engagement and promotion of SES employees and the provision of accurate and timely reporting to support decision-making for a number of executive HR committees.

The role

We are looking for suitably qualified Senior Workplace Relations Specialists (AFP Band 6) to fill current and anticipated vacancies within our team. A merit pool will also be created to fill any other vacancies that arise at this level within other Workplace Relations teams over the next 12 months.

As a Senior Workplace Relations Specialist, you will offer valuable expertise and specialist advice to AFP leaders and employees, ensuring a proactive and effective management of employee relations risks throughout the organisation is achieved. A primary component of this role involves analysing and interpreting Commonwealth and AFP employment framework and principles, AFP governance, leading engagement with key internal and external stakeholders and steering strategic initiatives. This integral role requires extensive collaboration across the organisation, while working closely with your peers to foster a harmonious and risk-aware work environment, which in turn assists in shaping the strategic direction of the Workplace Relations team.

This role provides specialist Workplace Relations advice, as well as being a key player in the leadership team as a mentor and driver for the development of junior members.

You will also be required to contribute to the achievement of outcomes in accordance with the regulatory framework, the AFP Code of Conduct and the AFP Governance Instruments. It is expected that the successful applicant will deliver on the core responsibilities and meet any requirements of the position as outlined below.

What will you do?

•  As a Senior Workplace Relations Specialist within the team, your overall responsibilities will include:
• Provision of accurate advice to clients, senior executives, Coordinator Workplace Relations and Manager People Strategies in relation to relevant legislation and AFP policy that reflects best practice.
• Independent end-to-end management of Workplace Relations enquiries that are deemed medium to high complexity.
• Delivery of employee-related projects in accordance with the project plan, scope and project timelines.
• Reviewing and developing Workplace Relations documents, including contemporary employment related governance, Standard Operating Procedures and organisational wide communication that is fit for purpose.
• Professionally representing Workplace Relations and People Strategies at internal and external forums.
• Contributing to a positive and inclusive team culture through modelling professional behaviours and play an active role in guiding, coaching and mentoring junior team members.

Our ideal candidate

Our ideal candidate would have the following experience and attributes:

• Demonstrated prior experience in a specialist HR role or Workplace Relations advisory team.
• Proactiveness and be solution-focused, with a wealth of expertise and a capacity to build and nurture positive professional relationships across all levels of the organisation.
• The ability to self-direct and proactively navigate ambiguity, manage competing priorities, work to tight deadlines and a demonstrated ability to work well under pressure.
• Clearly demonstrate a sound ability to communicate with influence, including good oral and written communication skills and attention to detail.
• The ability to convey messages effectively across multiple audiences, including the Senior Executive, and exercising discretion when dealing with confidential and sensitive matters. 

Essential Requirements

• You must be an Australian Citizen at the time of application.
• A Negative Vetting 1 (Secret) security clearance or the ability to obtain one.
• Relevant work experience in a Senior Workplace Relations Specialist role.

Desirable Requirements

The following skills and/or experience would be highly regarded:

•  Tertiary qualifications in relevant field or progress towards this outcome.
• Leadership experience

This position is an AFP Band level 6

Further information on the role and the various Workplace Relations teams can be found in the candidate pack.

The role is Canberra-based, however remote working arrangements may be negotiated by suitable candidates who are currently based in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne or Adelaide. Where remote working arrangements are established, employees must have the ability to travel to Canberra as required.

This advertisement is to fill current vacancies and create a merit pool for future ongoing vacancies arising over the next 12 months.

Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion

Diversity and inclusion is an operational priority for the Australian Federal Police (AFP). To be an effective police force, we must be reflective of the community we serve, working across languages, cultures and transnational borders. The 2023-26 Diversity & Inclusion Strategy is the guiding framework for delivering the AFP’s diversity and inclusion goals and reflecting our commitment to being an employer of choice, incorporating diversity and inclusion principles in day-to-day practice and building a psychologically and culturally safe workplace. This includes hiring people from diverse backgrounds who bring their lived experience to contribute, and add value, to the AFP. Find out more about how the AFP embraces diversity and inclusion.

Contact Officer - Kim Humphrey or Courtney Fuderer,

Contact Officer Phone: (02) 51266*** and (02) 51265***, ​

Contact Officer Email: ************@afp.gov.au and ***************@afp.gov.au

Applications Close: 11:59pm (AEDT) 28/02/2024