Assistant Director

Description:

Who we are
The Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) is part of the Commonwealth Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. As primary agency for Australia's Antarctic Program (AAP), the AAD is responsible for achieving the Australian Government's Antarctic goals.

These goals are to:

• maintain the Antarctic Treaty System and enhance Australia's influence within it
• protect the Antarctic environment
• understand the role of Antarctica in the global climate system
• undertake scientific work of practical, economic and national significance.

The AAD also has responsibility for administering the Australian Antarctic Territory and the Territory of Heard Island and McDonald Islands.

The Policy and Strategy Branch has a broad remit. We develop Antarctic policy to support our national and international obligations; lead on international engagement for the AAD; regulate activities in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean and in the subantarctic Territory of Heard Island and McDonald Islands; deliver statutory obligations for protected matters including species, heritage and protected areas; and work across the AAD to support stronger governance and accountability.
The Policy and Strategy Branch also works with the rest of the AAD, and across government, to implement the Australian Antarctic Strategy and 20 Year Action Plan), which sets out Australia’s national Antarctic interests and our vision for Australia’s future engagement in Antarctica.

The Branch delivers priorities across six sections: Antarctic and Environmental Regulation, International, Program Strategy, Protected Areas and Species, Strategic Policy and a Budget Taskforce.

The key duties of the position include:

• Lead a team to:
  • assess and authorise activities in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean as per legislative obligations
  • conduct ongoing monitoring of activities to ensure compliance with permit conditions and authorisations.
• Develop, review and administer policies and stakeholder guidance in support of the above.
• Support the administration of the Australian Antarctic Territory and the Territory of Heard Island and McDonald Islands.
• Support and/or lead cross-cutting divisional functions including:
  • strategic planning
  • governance uplift
  • business and corporate reporting
  • engagement in government processes including parliamentary inquiries and audits
  • cabinet processes
  • strategic partnerships.
• Support and/or lead the review and development of statutory management plans for protected areas and species.
• Support and/or lead Australian Government international engagement on Antarctic and Southern Ocean issues.
• Develop and implement policies to advance Australia’s Antarctic interests.
• Conduct research and analysis to develop and inform timely, high-quality advice, including engaging and negotiating with internal and external stakeholders.
• Support and develop staff to improve their skills and capabilities.
• Support ministers and senior department executive, including by preparing advice, briefs, ministerial correspondence, public communication materials and reports.
• Support a culture of collaboration and integrity.
• Other functions across the branch as required.

For detailed information about the job-specific capabilities for this role, please view the Job Description which can be downloaded from our website - the Apply Now link will take you there.
Eligibility

Citizenship - to be eligible for employment with the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water you must be an Australian citizen.

Security Clearance - this position requires a Negative Vetting Level 1 security clearance. You will be required to obtain and maintain a clearance at this level.

Pre-employment checks - your suitability for employment will be assessed through a pre-employment screening process. This process includes a requirement to undergo and satisfy a National Police Check, referee checks, character clearance and where required a pre-employment medical assessment, specified mandatory qualification(s) validation and a probation period.

Notes

We currently have three vacancies available for immediate filling. A merit pool for filling the same or similar position in any location in Australia may be established at the conclusion of this selection process.

Please note that the successful applicant may be required to travel to the Antarctic and sub-Antarctic regions therefore they may be required to meet specific medical, adaptability and personal qualities requirements appropriate to working in those environments.

In order to undertake travel to the Antarctic & sub-Antarctic regions they will need to:

• demonstrate the range of personal qualities and interpersonal skills necessary to perform as a successful team member within isolated Antarctic and sub-Antarctic environments
• demonstrate an ability to effectively adapt and respond to the demands of living and working in an isolated and confined environment as determined by a psychological (adaptability) assessment
• be certified as fit for Antarctic service by the AAD’s Polar Medicine Unit.